Circuit Description
The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor is a thermistor. The control module supplies the IAT sensor a reference voltage on the IAT sensor signal circuit and a ground circuit. When the IAT sensor resistance is high, indicating a cold sensor, the IAT sensor signal voltage remains near the supplied voltage and decreases the signal voltage as the sensor warms. The control module monitors the IAT sensor signal circuit in order to calculate the temperature of the air entering the engine.
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is designed in order to detect an IAT sensor signal voltage lower than possible in a normally operating IAT sensor.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) DTCs |
| • | The vehicle speed is above 2 mph. |
| • | The engine has been running for more than 100 seconds. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The IAT voltage is below a calibrated value for more than 5 seconds.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles. |
| • | The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed. |
| • | A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle. |
| • | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
A IAT sensor indicates the temperature of the ambient air entering the throttle body. The IAT sensor temperature reading should be very close to the temperature of the outside air. The IAT sensor temperature should rise gradually as the engine warms up and the underhood temperature increases. Check for a short to ground in the IAT sensor signal circuit. This may be accomplished by moving the vehicle control module (VCM) harness at various locations and monitoring the IAT voltage on the scan tool. If the voltage varies, look for a short to ground in the area of the harness that caused the variance. Also, a sensor may become skewed or mis-scaled. The Temperature vs. Resistance Value Table will help to detect a skewed sensor. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance .
An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:
| • | A poor connection |
| • | Rubbed through wire insulation |
| • | A broken wire inside the insulation |
Thoroughly inspect any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
Important: Use the same diagnostic test equipment for all the measurements.
-
If the IAT sensor circuit voltage measure less than 0.82 volts, the conditions for the DTC are still present and the problem is not intermittent.
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Disconnecting the IAT sensor harness connector will provide a high voltage input to the VCM. The VCM should recognize this voltage and indicate a low IAT temperature on the scan tool.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||
Is the IAT sensor voltage less than the specified value? | 0.82 V | |||
Is the IAT sensor voltage more than the specified value? | 4.0 V | |||
4 |
Did you find a problem? | -- | ||
5 | The DTC is intermittent. Are any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | Go to Diagnostic Aids |
6 | Repair the short to ground in the IAT sensor signal circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the repair complete? | -- | -- | |
7 | Replace the IAT sensor. Refer to Intake Air Temperature Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
8 |
Important: The replacement VCM must be programmed. Replace the VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
9 |
Does the scan tool indicate that the diagnostic Passed? | -- | ||
10 | Display the Capture Info and the Review Capture Info function with a scan tool. Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | System OK |
