The intake temperature sensor in your 3.8 liter V6 engine is mounted into your intake tract. This is a two pin unit that measures the air intake temperature in real time, and transmits this information to your Powertrain Control Module. Your Chevy engine computer at that point translates this signal and delivers more or less fuel accordingly.
Because colder air will result in a denser air charge, it will require more fuel where as hotter air will lead to less air. Today I’ll be showing you how to test your Camaro IAT Sensor in a 2000 Chevy with a 3.8 liter V6 engine in it. To complete this DIY guide you will be using a OBDII scan tool to test the read function of your temperature sensor.
When this sensor goes bad your V6 engine may run rich, which will lead to excessive emissions and bad gas mileage. Typically a replacement intake air temperature sensor will take care of this issue, but if you’ve got a scan tool and some time it’s easy to test.
Symptoms of a failed Camaro IAT Sensor
In addition to the issues above your Camaro can also act up in other ways. Here are some of the more common symptoms of a failed Chevy IAT sensor.
- Bad gas mileage
- Excessive hydrocarbons
- Failed catalytic converter
- Poor Idle
- Check Engine Light ON – P0113 or P0112
Because this intake temperature sensor uses an internally wound coil, when it goes bad it’s usually going to cause a high voltage problem. Your Camaro IAT Sensor is basically a thermistor and the way it works is the resistance changes in response to changes in the air’s temperature. When it fails it usually triggers a high voltage trouble code, that’s known as a OBDII P0113 trouble code for excessive temperature from your IAT.
When your Chevy Camaro sees a high voltage signal from your intake sensor that exceeds or is close to 5 volts of DC power, it will trigger this code. Because your Chevy ECU thinks that your engine temperature is below -35°F, your OBDII trouble code will light your check engine light.
How your Camaro IAT Sensor works
The two wire sensor in your intake tract is made up of power and ground. Based on the air temperature of your incoming air charge, the resistance of your Camaro IAT Sensor changes. The cooler the air, the higher the resistance of the IAT sensor and the warmer the air the lower your resistance.
To test your intake temperature sensor you’ll be using your OBDII scan tool to determine the signal. Connect the scan tool to your engine computer through your OBDII port, and turn the key to the “ON” position. Do not perform this test while your engine is warm, but do it in a completely cold state.
Once your scan tool has booted up, connect to the live data mode and read the IAT PID (Parameter Identification) value. The scan tool should tell you what the temperature signal is being sent from your Camaro IAT Sensor.
Now disconnect your IAT sensor from the wiring harness, and using a jumper wire connect the two pins of the ENGINE harness together. Do not force wires that are too large into the wiring harness, or you risk damaging the pins. Your IAT reading should now be 300 °F with the jumper in place, which will trigger the OBDII DC P0112.
Remove your jumper wire now and check the IAT reading, which should bottom out as there’s no resistance from the open engine harness. If these readings match up to what’s happening in your V6 Camaro but your check engine code is still there, you need a replacement intake temperature sensor. Use your OBDII scan tool to clear your trouble code from your Chevy computer. Have any questions about this How To Test a Camaro IAT Sensor guide? Leave them for us below and let us know!
