Air temperature sensor

The air temp sensor simply checks the temperature of the incoming air. The sensor is usually located on the air box (filter area) or somewhere in the air inlet tube. The purpose of the sensor is to help with calculations of air density coming into the engine. The information is fed to the computer. If the air is warmer it’s less dense and requires less fuel for the engine to run at it’s correct air to fuel ratio. The engine needs more fuel at colder temps due to the denser air. The colder denser air gives the engine the ability to make more power, needing more fuel. The air temp sensor changes resistance with heat changes and will send the new voltage to the ecu. The car’s computer then changes the amount of fuel injected in the engine. If you have a problem with your air temperature sensor, you can test it. First check the plug to make sure the wires look good and the plug is tight. Run the car for five minutes. Shut off the car and remove the sensors plug. You will need a volt/ohm meter to check the ohms. Set the ohm meter on 20k ohms. There are three types of temperature plugs. With a single wire sensor, touch the one wire and use the other wire to touch the brass or metal on the sensor. Two wire sensor, just touch the two wires. Three wire temp sensor, touch the center and one of the outers. The ohm value should be higher than 500 ohms or it is not good and needs to be replaced.