Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor

Fig 1: View Of IAT Sensor

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor (1) is located in the air cleaner assembly (2). The IAT sensor is a thermistor (a variable resistor that changes value when the temperature changes). The IAT sensor is connected in series with a fixed resistor in the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM applies 5 volts to the IAT sensor. The PCM monitors the voltage drop across the IAT sensor and converts the voltage reading into a temperature value. The IAT sensor voltage reading at the PCM will vary with the changes in the intake air temperature.