Escape 2WD L4-2.5L Hybrid (2010)
Intake Air Temperature Sensor: Description and Operation
ENGINE CONTROL COMPONENTS
Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor
The IAT sensor is integrated into the mass air flow (MAF) sensor. It is a thermistor device in which resistance changes with temperature. The
electrical resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature increases, and the resistance increases as the temperature decreases. The varying
resistance affects the voltage drop across the sensor terminals and provides electrical signals to the PCM corresponding to temperature.
A thermistor type sensor is considered a passive sensor. A passive sensor is connected to a voltage divider network so that varying the resistance of the
passive sensor causes a variation in the total current flow.
Voltage that is dropped across a fixed resistor in series with the sensor resistor determines the voltage signal at the PCM. This voltage signal is equal
to the reference voltage minus the voltage drop across the fixed resistor.
The IAT sensor provides air temperature information to the PCM. The PCM uses the air temperature information as a correction factor in the
calculation of fuel and ignition timing.
Integrated Mass Air Flow/Intake Air Temperature (MAF/IAT) Sensor
