Faulty intake air temperature sensor; Damaged or disconnected wiring or connector at the sensor; Corroded or pushed-back pins in the sensor connector; Open or shorted circuit in the harness between the sensor and the engine computer; Failed engine computer (rare, but possible after other causes are ruled out); Intake air temperature sensor contaminated with oil or debris; Aftermarket intake system that has damaged or misrouted the sensor wiring

DTC codes / P01xx · Fuel and air metering / P0110

P0110Intake Air Temperature Circuit Malfunction

Q: What does code P0110 mean?

Intake Air Temperature Circuit Malfunction. P0110 means the engine computer has detected an abnormal signal from the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor circuit, which measures the temperature of air entering the engine. The computer expects a voltage that changes smoothly with temperature, and it has seen a value that is out of range, stuck, or otherwise implausible for the conditions.

P0110 means the engine computer has detected an abnormal signal from the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor circuit, which measures the temperature of air entering the engine. The computer expects a voltage that changes smoothly with temperature, and it has seen a value that is out of range, stuck, or otherwise implausible for the conditions.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering

Symptoms you may notice

Illuminated check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or hesitation when the engine is cold
Poor fuel economy or rich-running smell from the exhaust
Black smoke or increased emissions during warm-up
In rare cases, a no-start or hard-start condition in very cold weather
Sometimes a slight stumble or surge during acceleration

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty intake air temperature sensor
Damaged or disconnected wiring or connector at the sensor
Corroded or pushed-back pins in the sensor connector
Open or shorted circuit in the harness between the sensor and the engine computer
Failed engine computer (rare, but possible after other causes are ruled out)
Intake air temperature sensor contaminated with oil or debris
Aftermarket intake system that has damaged or misrouted the sensor wiring

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins
Measure the sensor resistance with a multimeter and compare to the temperature-resistance chart for the vehicle
Check the reference voltage and ground at the sensor connector with the key on
Perform a wiggle test on the harness while watching live data to catch intermittent faults
If the sensor is out of specification, replace it and clear the code
If the circuit is open or shorted, repair the harness and recheck
Clear codes and verify the repair with a test drive and live data review

What the IAT code often hides

A P0110 can be set by a dirty or oil-soaked sensor element that reads incorrectly only at certain temperatures, so a simple resistance check at room temperature may pass.
On many vehicles, the intake air temperature sensor is integrated into the mass airflow sensor (MAF), so a faulty MAF assembly can trigger P0110 even when the IAT element itself is fine.
Intermittent wiring faults from chafed harnesses near the intake or after engine work are a common cause that does not show up on a static meter test.
The engine computer may substitute a default intake air temperature value when the circuit fails, which can mask driveability symptoms and make the fault seem harmless.
A P0110 does not always mean the sensor is bad; a poor ground or low reference voltage shared with other sensors can set this code without any sensor fault.

Can I keep driving with P0110?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive with a P0110 because the computer substitutes a default temperature value, but fuel economy and cold-start behavior may suffer. Avoid extended driving with the light on and have the circuit checked soon, especially if you notice rough running or black smoke.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.