Is P0113 serious enough to worry about?

It is low priority compared to fuel or misfire codes, but you should fix it. The engine may reduce ignition timing as a safety measure against assumed hot air, which costs you performance and fuel economy.

Can P0113 cause engine damage?

Not directly. The computer compensates by pulling timing to protect against detonation. That compensation itself is not harmful, but it is not correct operation either.

Can the IAT sensor be inside the MAF sensor?

Yes, on many modern engines the IAT sensor is integrated into the MAF sensor housing. In that case, P0113 and P0101 may appear together, and replacing the MAF sensor unit fixes both.

Codes › P0113

P0113: The intake air temperature sensor is reading too high

Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High Input

Low severityCan you keep driving?

Yes. P0113 will not leave you stranded, but the engine may pull timing and reduce power as a precaution since it thinks intake air is very hot. Repair it to restore normal performance.

What it means

The intake air temperature sensor tells the computer how warm or cold the incoming air is, which affects how much fuel to inject. P0113 means the sensor signal voltage is above the maximum expected, which the computer interprets as extremely hot air. In practice, a high-voltage IAT signal almost always means the sensor is disconnected or has an open circuit, since IAT sensors work on a thermistor principle where resistance decreases as temperature increases. A disconnected sensor floats high, not low.

Common causes

Disconnected or corroded IAT sensor connectorThe most common cause. A loose connector floats the signal to maximum voltage, which reads as extreme heat.
Failed IAT sensor with open internal circuitA broken thermistor element inside the sensor causes the same floating-high signal as a disconnection.
Broken signal wire in the IAT harnessA single wire break between sensor and ECM opens the circuit and the signal floats high.

What it costs

IAT sensor replacement$30 to $120
Wiring or connector repair$80 to $200

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Slightly reduced power under load (computer derates timing)
Slightly worse fuel economy
No obvious driveability complaints in mild weather

What to do next

Unplug the IAT sensor connector and inspect it for corrosion or loose pins. Plug it back in firmly and clear the code. If it returns, use a multimeter to measure sensor resistance at ambient temperature. Most IAT sensors read between 2,000 and 4,000 ohms at room temperature. Infinite resistance means the sensor is open and needs replacement. The sensor is inexpensive and usually takes under 10 minutes to swap.

Lewis shows the live intake air temperature reading so you can see whether it reads an impossible fixed value (indicating open circuit) or fluctuates normally with ambient temperature. Download Lewis.

Related codes

FAQ

Is P0113 serious enough to worry about?: It is low priority compared to fuel or misfire codes, but you should fix it. The engine may reduce ignition timing as a safety measure against assumed hot air, which costs you performance and fuel economy.
Can P0113 cause engine damage?: Not directly. The computer compensates by pulling timing to protect against detonation. That compensation itself is not harmful, but it is not correct operation either.
Can the IAT sensor be inside the MAF sensor?: Yes, on many modern engines the IAT sensor is integrated into the MAF sensor housing. In that case, P0113 and P0101 may appear together, and replacing the MAF sensor unit fixes both.