P0113: Intake air temperature circuit high input
The intake air temperature sensor’s signal is at the top of its range, so the engine computer reads implausibly cold air. This usually points to a broken connection.
Updated
What P0113 means
The intake air temperature sensor tells the engine computer how warm the incoming air is, which it uses to work out how much fuel to inject. On many cars the sensor is built into the air flow (MAF) sensor.
The sensor’s resistance changes with temperature, and the computer reads it as a voltage. “Circuit high” means that voltage is at the top of its range. The computer reads it as extremely cold air, which is also what an unplugged sensor or a broken wire looks like.
Can I keep driving?
Check soon
Probably OK to drive short-term, but have it checked soon. Fuel use or emissions may be worse.
General guidance based on the code alone, not on the car’s actual condition. If in doubt, stop and ask a mechanic.
The engine computer usually falls back on a default value, so the engine keeps running, but starting, fuel use and emissions can suffer.
Symptoms
- Often just the check engine light.
- On some cars, harder starting or a rough idle when cold, or higher fuel use.
Common causes
- Sensor unplugged, or a loose or corroded connector. Check this first, especially after work on the air filter or intake.
- Broken wire in the sensor circuit. An open circuit between the sensor and the engine computer.
- Faulty intake air temperature sensor. Replace it only after the plug and wiring check out.
Typical fixes
- Check that the sensor’s plug is connected and locked, and look for corrosion on its pins.
- On a cold engine, compare the intake air temperature in live data with the outside temperature: they should be close.
- Have the wiring tested for a break between the sensor and the engine computer.
- Replace the sensor if the wiring is fine. Where it’s part of the air flow sensor, the whole unit is usually replaced.
Questions
Can I drive with P0113?
Probably for a short time, but have it checked soon: the app’s advice is that fuel use or emissions may be worse.
Why does the intake air temperature show −40 °C?
That’s the lowest value the standard OBD2 reading can show. When the circuit is open, the signal sits at the top of its range, which reads as the coldest possible air. Some cars show a fixed substitute value instead once the fault is stored.