What is the working principle of the intake air temperature sensor?

2 Answers
SanHector
07/25/25 4:44pm
The working principle of the intake air temperature sensor is: During operation, the intake air temperature sensor contains a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient. This thermistor detects temperature changes and adjusts the resistance value, thereby altering the circuit voltage. Below is a detailed introduction to the intake air temperature sensor: 1. Principle: The intake air temperature sensor is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor. When the temperature rises, the resistance value decreases, and when the temperature drops, the resistance value increases. The voltage in the vehicle's circuit changes with the variation in resistance, generating different voltage signals, which enables the automatic operation of the vehicle's control system. 2. Function: The intake air temperature sensor detects the intake air temperature of the vehicle's engine and converts it into a voltage signal, which is then input to the ECU for use as a signal for fuel injection correction.
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JaceAnn
08/11/25 9:54pm
I often encountered cases of faulty intake air temperature sensors during my car repairs. This component is essentially a thermistor installed in the intake manifold or mass air flow sensor. The principle is quite simple: as temperature changes, resistance changes accordingly, and the sensor converts this resistance variation into a voltage signal sent to the engine control unit (ECU). The ECU uses this signal combined with air flow data to calculate the density of air entering the engine. In cold weather when air density is high, the ECU instructs the fuel injectors to spray more fuel; when air is thinner in hot conditions, less fuel is injected. The biggest concerns are when it gets clogged with oil sludge or has poor wiring connections, which can lead to skyrocketing fuel consumption and weak engine performance. For older vehicles emitting black smoke from the exhaust during inspections, eight out of ten times it's caused by inaccurate signals from this sensor.
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