Air Temperature Sensor ( Ambient / Intake ): Description and Operation

Fig. 16 Inlet Air Temperature Sensor:

The IAT sensor attaches to the intake air duct.

The IAT Sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Sensor that provides information to the PCM regarding the temperature of the air entering the intake manifold.

Inlet/Intake Air Temperature
The inlet air temperature sensor replaces the intake air temperature sensor and the battery temperature sensor. The PCM uses the information from the inlet air temperature sensor to determine values to use as an intake air temperature sensor and a battery temperature sensor.

The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor value is used by the PCM to determine air density.

The PCM uses this information to calculate:
- Injector pulse width
- Adjustment of ignition timing (to prevent spark knock at high intake air temperatures)

Battery Temperature
The inlet air temperature sensor replaces the intake air temperature sensor and the battery temperature sensor. The PCM uses the information from the inlet air temperature sensor to determine values to use as an intake air temperature sensor and a battery temperature sensor.

The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor value is used by the PCM to determine air density.

The PCM uses this information to calculate:
- Injector pulse width
- Adjustment of ignition timing (to prevent spark knock at high intake air temperatures)