Intake Air Temperature Sensor

On Esteem Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor is located on air cleaner pipe leading to throttle body. On Aerio, Vitara and Grand Vitara, IAT sensor is located on side of air cleaner housing. IAT sensor is a thermistor which changes resistance with respect to temperature. High temperature causes low resistance. Low temperature causes high resistance. A reference voltage (supplied and monitored by ECM) is modified by sensor resistance. ECM uses this information to help control fuel injector(s), ignition timing and EGR operation.