Vehicles are made up of many elements, mechanical, electrical and pressure, which make the vehicle work properly. Each and every one of the pieces in the vehicles are important and we must be aware that they are always in optimal conditions.
Nearly every function performed by today’s vehicles is supported by feedback transmitted by one or more sensors.
One of those sensors that is vital to the efficient operation of the engine It is the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor.
What is an IAT sensor?
The intake air temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the air introduced into the intake tract of an engine. In a nutshell, an engine’s IAT sensor works like a thermometer, regarding the air that is ultimately sent to each cylinder for combustion.
However, instead of displaying a mercury reading, the IAT sensor provides feedback to the ECM/PCM in a voltage setting.
A motor’s control software then interprets this voltage reading, converting it into temperature feedback logic. This is used as a key figure in determining the air-fuel ratio needed for efficient combustion.
What are the symptoms of a bad IAT sensor?
1.- Check engine light on
In almost all cases, the presence of a faulty IAT sensor will cause the check engine light to come on. This occurs when a vehicle’s ECM or PCM stores one or more trouble codes attributed to such failure.
2.- Rough or erratic idle
A faulty IAT sensor will often cause a vehicle’s engine to idle erratically or noticeably stumble upon stopping. This is due to an engine’s inability to accurately determine the air-fuel ratio required for efficient combustion.
3.- Difficulties when starting
Another prominent sign of IAT sensor failure is starting difficulties. Due to the inability of a vehicle’s ECM/PCM to determine the correct fuel trim values, an engine’s ability to start smoothly is compromised.
4.- Poor fuel economy
Increased fuel consumption often occurs as a result of over-fuelling, due to out-of-spec intake air temperature values.
***
It may interest you:
Why are my car dashboard lights too dim or flickering?
How to change a clogged oil filter in your car