Air Temperature Sensor ( Ambient / Intake ): Description and Operation

Intake Air Temperature Sensor:

The Manifold Air Temperature (MAT) sensor is mounted in the intake manifold, in front of the throttle body. This sensor measures the temperature of the air/fuel mixture in the intake manifold, and sends this information to the PCM/ECM. The MAT sensor is a thermistor whose resistance changes as a function of temperature. When the temperature is low, the resistance is high. Resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The MAT sensor is a two wire sensor that receives a reference or signal voltage from the PCM/ECM. The MAT sensor provides intake air temperature information to the PCM/ECM for the use in calculating intake air density. The PCM/ECM uses MAT, MAP, and engine speed to calculate the quantity of air flowing into the engine. A failure in the MAT sensor circuit should set a code E037 or E038.