What are the effects of a faulty intake air temperature sensor?

[Gordon]

Intake air temperature sensor failure can affect the car, causing difficulties in starting, unstable idling, and reduced power. Below is relevant information about the intake air temperature sensor: 1. Function: As a negative temperature coefficient thermistor, the intake air temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the intake air flow. When the intake air temperature rises, the resistance value decreases, and when the intake air temperature drops, the resistance value increases. The change in resistance in the intake air temperature sensor circuit causes voltage fluctuations, generating a different voltage signal. The ECU uses this voltage signal to calculate the actual temperature of the intake air flow and thereby adjusts the engine's fuel injection and ignition. 2. Fault Analysis: Poor contact in the intake air temperature sensor's ground wire will cause abnormal low temperature readings in the data stream. Low-temperature air has higher density, increasing the fuel injection pulse width and resulting in an overly rich air-fuel mixture. If the sensor is short-circuited, the data stream will show abnormally high temperature readings. High-temperature air has lower density, reducing the fuel injection pulse width and causing an overly lean air-fuel mixture. The higher the intake air temperature sensor's reading, the richer the air-fuel mixture. A broken sensor or poor grounding can cause an overly lean mixture, leading to starting difficulties.

[SanNathan]

I think this issue is quite worth discussing - a faulty intake air temperature sensor is no small matter. It can mislead the engine computer's judgment of air temperature, causing calculated fuel injection to go haywire—either spraying too much resulting in an overly rich mixture (wasting fuel and prone to carbon buildup), or spraying too little leading to a lean mixture (weak acceleration and even shaky starts). Cold weather makes it worse, causing unstable idling and sluggish throttle response. Prolonged use can damage engine components and trigger fault codes in the computer system. Fortunately, diagnosis isn't difficult—I usually keep a simple OBD tool handy to scan the codes and confirm the issue. Replacing the sensor promptly solves the problem, preventing more serious complications.

[DylanLynn]

Old experience tells me that when this sensor fails, the driving experience takes a hit. If the intake air temperature reading is off, the computer's commands go haywire, and the engine might wheeze and struggle to breathe, especially noticeable during acceleration—slower pickup and increased fuel consumption. I once encountered this during a road trip, with fuel consumption skyrocketing, and later found out it was the culprit. It also affects exhaust emissions, and the car's shuddering is quite uncomfortable. The most annoying part is the occasional flickering of the warning light, but don't take it lightly—if it fails completely during a long trip, you could be stranded. I recommend keeping an eye on the dashboard for anomalies and heading to a professional shop for a check-up if anything seems off.

[GarrettDella]

Let me briefly share my thoughts: Once the intake air temperature sensor fails, the engine control goes off track. With inaccurate air temperature readings, the ECU can't calculate the correct fuel amount needed. This leads to either excessive fuel injection causing pollution and waste, or insufficient fuel resulting in power loss or starting difficulties. Common symptoms include unstable idle, sluggish acceleration, and even the check engine light coming on. Don't underestimate it - small issues can accumulate and damage engine longevity. Fixing it early saves trouble.