Montero LS 4WD V6-2972cc 3.0L SOHC 12 Valve (1994)
Intake Air Temperature Sensor: Description and Operation
PURPOSE
The Intake Air Temperature sensor is a Thermistor type unit which sends information to the ECM regarding the temperature of the air entering the
intake manifold of the engine.
OPERATION
The intake air temperature sensor functions to convert the temperature of the air drawn into the engine to a voltage, and to input that voltage as a
signal to the engine control module. The engine control module, based upon those signals, then corrects the amount to fuel injection, etc..
The 5 V power supply within the engine control module is supplied, by way of the resistance within the unit, to the intake air temperature sensor, it
passes through the intake air temperature sensor, which is a type of resistor, and is grounded as the engine control module. Note that the resistance
of the intake air temperature sensor decreases when the temperature of the intake air increases.
The intake air temperature sensor terminal voltage becomes higher when the resistance of the intake air temperature sensor increases, and becomes
lower when the resistance decreases. Consequently, the intake air temperature sensor terminal voltage varies in accordance with the temperature of
the intake air, becoming lower when the temperature of the intake air increases.
