B4000 2WD V6-4.0L OHV (1994)
Intake Air Temperature Sensor: Description and Operation
Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor
PURPOSE
To provide the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with a varying voltage signal (input) that corresponds to changes in intake air temperature.
CONSTRUCTION
The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor is threaded into the intake air passage with a sensing element extending into the air chamber.
The IAT sensor is a negative temperature coefficient sensor, meaning that as the temperature of the sensor increases, the resistance will decrease.
OPERATION
As the resistance value changes, the signal sensed by the Powertrain Control Module will also change. The PCM reads the varying sensor signal
and determines the air charge temperature. The PCM uses the signal information to optimize the air/fuel mixture.
The IAT sensor will also set a fault code when the PCM determines the output signal to be out of the normal operating range.
