2000 chevy malibu code P0113 (IAT circuit high input)

Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone could help me out... and forwarning I'm not completely stupid when it comes to my car, but I really just don't understand this...

the check engin light came on off and on for about 2 weeks so I took it to auto zone. They did their little scan-y thing and said it was code P0113. I did a bit of reasearch on my own and I don't really get it... is this something I need to fix RIGHT AWAY, or will my car be fine for a bit longer while I save up some money for repairs? Plus, if I take it to a machanic, what should they be looking at, generally speaking. I just don't want to be cheated because some jurk just sees me as some little girl that they can trick.
thanks for your time everyone,
Nichole

Nichole you have a possible IAT failure or wiring problem,
you will need a scan tool to check this well, you could go out and try another IAT.
First i would check the wiring to the sensor see if its correctly connected
and that the pins are not bent.
But if you take it to a dealer they could save you time and money
as this problem is normally the sensor but could be anything from the sensor to the wiring to the ECM?
Good luck Nichole.

If you know where the IAT sensor is makes sure its plugged in. Sometimes when the air filter is serviced it does not get plugged back in. This part is not that expensive and they do fail from time to time, but without a scan tool or at least a volt meter it will impossible to fix.

Intake Air Temp sensor is easy to replace. Is like $11.00 part and no tools required. I had one "gone" bad on a 3.4 L V6 Grand Am. It turned out the plug was bad, a broken wire. will give a huge resistance.

I bet money on this one and I think what it is.

Get that scan tool in Auto Zone. Tell the guy to hook it and run the test were you can see the engine running (real time data) one sensor that shows is the IAT. If it reads like 239F is an open circuit and if it reads -39F is a short.

Look at the plug that connects the IAT, the cable might be broken inside the insulation. It happen to me that was broken at the very edge of the plug. You have 2 choices here, if that is the case. Go to a Junk Yard and cut the plug from another car with enough to splice it, or get a New Plug that you can redo the connection (that is the hardest and I had to do it that way).

The other possible place is the main plug for the engine harness. On the same car, the Water Temp Sensor was showing 0. The cable broke from the connector inside the plug. I cut the cable from the plug on the other side and spliced it together, problem solved.


In your case, I can say is a broken wire or a poor connection.

Hey SKYDROL just some FYI a OPEN circuit will read -39 not a shorted circuit

Yes you right, got it backwards, thanks for correcting me.

I am more inclined on a bad connection. Replacing the sensor is chump change and very easy to do.

So if this sensor is reading high voltage (low temperature) with that info can you narrow it down to either poor connection or a faulty sensor?

An open circuit or a shorted circuit could also be the fault of the sensor itself
Quick test is to connect Scanner, get live date for IAT should read ambient temp with engine cold, disconnect sensor should read -39 bridge the two wires should read
+240 if it does that then try a new sensor, easy quick way to test

thank you very much Greg Garage