P0113 is the OBD-II code for an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor 1 circuit that reads too high. The engine computer treats the signal as very cold intake air, which can push the fuel mix rich. Most cases come from a sensor, a connector or a wire, not the computer.
Start with the connector and the wiring before you buy a sensor. A loose or pushed-out terminal is a known cause, so a quick inspection can save money. If the engine hesitates or stalls, stop driving and get it checked.
What Does P0113 Mean?
P0113 means the intake air temperature sensor 1 circuit reports a signal above its normal range to the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM uses that signal to set the air-fuel mix, so a wrong reading changes how the engine runs.
The IAT sensor is a thermistor. When its signal goes above the manufacturer’s limit, the PCM stores P0113 and may turn on the check engine light. Limits vary by vehicle. One repair guide, FIXD, reports that the code sets when the signal exceeds about 4.91 volts for more than half a second.
Why a High Reading Is Not Hot Air
A high circuit reading is not the same as a high intake air temperature. KBB makes this point directly, so the air itself may be normal while the signal is faulty. That is why checking the sensor and wiring matters more than checking the air. A scan tool that shows an IAT reading far from the coolant temperature after warm-up is a clue that the circuit, not the air, is at fault. A different temperature fault, the coolant side, is explained in the P0128 coolant temperature guide.
Common Causes of P0113
The most common cause of P0113 is a faulty IAT sensor, followed by damaged or corroded wiring at the sensor connector. FIXD ranks the causes by how often they appear, and the sensor is first on that list.
- A faulty IAT sensor, the most frequent cause
- Damaged, corroded or loose wiring at the IAT connector
- A dirty or clogged air filter
- A defective PCM or ECM, the least common and most costly cause
On some vehicles the IAT sensor is built into the mass airflow (MAF) sensor. If that is your setup, a bad MAF can set P0113, and replacing the MAF also replaces the IAT signal. Check the service information for your exact model before you order parts. A bad air-metering reading can also set the P0171 lean code guide. If the MAF reading is the problem rather than the IAT, the MAF signal out-of-range checks is the better starting point.
Symptoms You May Notice
A check engine light is the usual first sign of P0113, and it is often the only symptom at the start. Other signs appear as the code stays active and the engine keeps running on the wrong fuel mix.
- Check engine light, often the only symptom at first
- Hard starting or hesitation, especially in cold weather
- Slow engine warm-up or a low temperature gauge reading
- Lack of cabin heat in winter
- Fluctuating temperature readings on a scan tool
- Rich mixture, lower fuel economy or higher emissions
Some symptoms appear mainly when the weather turns cold. MechanicBase also lists a strange gas smell during cold starts. These signs point to the same fuel-mix problem, so a cold-start symptom alone does not prove the sensor is at fault.
Is P0113 Serious, and Can You Keep Driving?
This code is a minor issue that still needs prompt attention, because a rich fuel mix can lead to misfires. KBB makes that warning and advises against driving a misfiring vehicle. Treat the code as a reason to schedule a diagnosis soon, not as something to ignore for months.
FIXD says that driving for a week or two is usually acceptable. Stop driving if the engine hesitates or stalls. If you see misfires, park the car and arrange a tow or a shop visit instead of driving it further.
How to Diagnose P0113 Step by Step
Start by reading all codes and checking the IAT connector before you buy a sensor, because wiring faults are a common cause. A basic OBD-II scanner is enough for the first three steps, and a multimeter helps with the sensor test.
- Park on level ground, turn the engine off and let it cool before you work near the intake.
- Read every stored code, since P0113 often comes with another code.
- Inspect the IAT wiring and connector for damage, corrosion or a loose terminal.
- Run the engine for 5 to 10 minutes and compare the IAT reading with coolant temperature. The IAT should read slightly cooler when everything works correctly.
- Check the air filter and, if the sensor is built into the MAF, inspect the MAF as well.
- Test the sensor only after the wiring passes. Replace it if the test fails.
Testing the Sensor With a Multimeter
MechanicBase describes a simple bench check. Remove the IAT sensor, heat its tip, and measure resistance with a digital multimeter. Resistance should drop as the tip warms. If it does not, replace the sensor. Some advanced scan tools can also test the sensor without removing it. If you need a refresher, how to test circuits with a multimeter covers the basics. Intake air faults can share symptoms with a low airflow reading, as described in the guide to the low MAF sensor signal P0102.
How to Fix P0113
A Stellantis service bulletin links this code to a pushed-out or spread terminal in the IAT connector, and it gives a direct repair. The bulletin describes the sensor return circuit K915, which runs through the IAT connector. Stellantis service bulletin S2308000110 was released in August 2023.
The bulletin’s vehicle list is not in the readable text, so confirm the model year and VIN before you apply it. Its repair steps are as follows.
- Disconnect the IAT connector and inspect cavity 2 for a terminal push-out or a spread terminal.
- If the terminal is pushed out, reinsert it and confirm it is fully secured with a pull test.
- If the terminal is spread, or it fails the pull test, replace it with repair kit 05014003AA.
When the Sensor or Wiring Is Bad
If the connector passes, replace the IAT sensor or repair the wire. A faulty sensor is the most common cause, so it is the next check after the connector. Replace the PCM only as a last step, because it is the least likely cause and the most expensive repair.
Repair Costs for P0113
Repair costs for this code range from about $50 for a wiring fix to about $2,500 for a PCM update, depending on the cause. Two repair guides list different costs on different dates, so use them as a starting point and get a local estimate.
MechanicBase lists its ranges as of January 7, 2023. FIXD uses RepairPal estimates retrieved on September 24, 2024. Labor rates and parts prices change, so the table shows both sets side by side.
| Repair | MechanicBase (as of Jan 7, 2023) | FIXD (retrieved Sep 24, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| IAT sensor | $75 to $175 | $99 to $101 at a shop |
| IAT wiring or connector | $50 to $550 | $47 to $68 at a shop |
| Air filter | Not listed | $49 to $71 at a shop |
| MAF sensor | $75 to $325 | $239 to $346 at a shop |
| PCM or ECM | $250 to $2,500 | $1,006 to $1,075 at a shop |
The cheapest fixes are the air filter and a connector repair. Cleaning the IAT or MAF sensor is also an option, and FIXD lists a shop total of $100 to $200 for that job. Replacing the PCM is the costliest path and the least likely cause of P0113. Parts alone cost less: FIXD lists $34 to $43 for an IAT sensor, $11 to $24 for a harness and $929 to $978 for a PCM or ECM, so a do-it-yourself owner pays far less than the shop totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the questions drivers ask most often about this code.
Can I drive with a P0113 code?
Usually for a short time, yes. FIXD says driving for a week or two is generally acceptable. Stop if the engine hesitates or stalls, and have the code checked soon, because KBB warns that the code can lead to misfires.
Is P0113 the same as high intake air temperature?
No. It is a fault in the sensor circuit signal. KBB notes that a high circuit reading is not the same as hot intake air, so the air temperature may be normal.
Can a dirty air filter cause P0113?
FIXD lists a dirty or clogged air filter as one of the causes. Check the filter early, since it is one of the cheapest items to inspect. FIXD lists the filter part at $10 to $44, so replacing it is a low-cost first step.
What does it cost to fix P0113?
It depends on the cause. A connector or sensor repair costs far less than a PCM replacement, which MechanicBase lists at up to $2,500 as of January 7, 2023.
Will clearing the code fix P0113?
No. Clearing the code only turns off the light for now. If the cause remains, the code returns, so fix the connector, wiring or sensor first.
Start with the IAT connector and the wiring before you spend money on a sensor or a computer. That order follows the common causes and keeps the repair cost lowest.
