P0113 – Intake air temperature sensor circuit input high

Last updated: March 29, 2026

DTC P0113 is an ISO/SAE controlled powertrain code that indicates a circuit fault: the engine control module has detected an intake air temperature sensor circuit input that is higher than expected. The intake air temperature sensor helps the module estimate incoming air density so it can calculate fueling and other control strategies. When the circuit input is high, the module may no longer trust the sensor signal and may substitute a default value to keep the engine running. The result can be a Check Engine Light and changes in drivability or fuel economy. Because this is a circuit-type DTC, careful electrical checks of the sensor connector and wiring are essential before replacing parts.

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P0113 Quick Answer

P0113 – Intake air temperature sensor circuit input high means the engine control module is seeing a higher-than-expected electrical input on the intake air temperature sensor circuit. Focus first on circuit basics: connector condition, wiring opens/high resistance, and proper reference/ground integrity, then confirm the sensor signal changes plausibly with temperature.

What Does P0113 Mean?

P0113 – Intake air temperature sensor circuit input high is set when the powertrain control system detects that the intake air temperature sensor circuit input is higher than the allowable range for the current operating conditions. In circuit terms, “input high” typically describes an electrical signal voltage that is too high compared to what the module expects from the intake air temperature sensor circuit.

When this happens, the module may treat the intake air temperature value as unreliable. Depending on the calibration, it may substitute a fixed intake air temperature value or use an alternative estimation strategy. Even with a fallback strategy, the incorrect or substituted intake air temperature input can influence calculations tied to air density, which can affect how the engine runs and how the Check Engine Light is triggered and stored.

Theory of Operation

The intake air temperature sensor is part of an electrical circuit monitored by the engine control module. Many designs use a temperature-dependent resistor (thermistor) whose resistance changes with air temperature. The module measures the circuit input to infer temperature from the sensor’s electrical behavior.

With a thermistor-based circuit, the module expects the intake air temperature circuit input to move predictably as temperature changes. A “circuit input high” condition indicates that the measured input is higher than expected—often consistent with an open circuit, excessive resistance at a connection, a missing/poor ground path, or a signal circuit that is being driven toward a higher voltage than intended. Because P0113 is classified here as a circuit fault, the goal of diagnosis is to confirm whether the circuit input is high due to wiring/connector issues or due to the sensor element no longer behaving electrically as designed.

Symptoms

• Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0113 stored
• Intake air temperature value on a scan tool reading implausibly low (often representing extreme cold) or stuck/fixed
• Hesitation, stumble, or uneven response during throttle changes
• Rough idle or unstable idle quality
• Reduced fuel economy
• Hard starting or extended crank in some conditions

Common Causes

• Open circuit in the intake air temperature sensor signal or return path
• High resistance in the circuit due to corrosion, loose terminals, or damaged connector seals
• Sensor ground circuit open or poor ground connection (where applicable to the circuit design)
• Signal circuit shorted to a higher voltage source than intended
• Harness damage (chafing, pinched wiring, or broken conductors) near the intake tract
• Intake air temperature sensor internal fault that results in an electrically “open” behavior
• Engine control module input circuit fault (uncommon; confirm only after the circuit and sensor test correctly)

Diagnosis Steps

Tools needed: OBD-II scan tool with live data and freeze-frame, DVOM (multimeter), wiring diagram for the exact vehicle configuration, and back-probing/terminal test adapters. Optional but helpful: heat source to gently warm the sensor area and basic hand tools for connector access.

1. Confirm the DTC and capture data: Verify P0113 is present (pending or confirmed). Save freeze-frame data and note the intake air temperature value reported at the time of the fault, along with engine coolant temperature, RPM, and system voltage.
2. Check the intake air temperature reading for plausibility: With key on/engine off after a cold soak, compare the scan tool intake air temperature reading to ambient temperature. A reading that is implausible or fixed supports a circuit input problem rather than a normal temperature change.
3. Perform a focused visual inspection: Inspect the intake air temperature sensor connector and harness routing. Look for a disconnected connector, bent pins, corrosion, water intrusion, damaged seals, or pulled/strained wiring.
4. Check for related DTCs: Note any additional powertrain codes that could indicate shared electrical issues (for example, other sensor circuit faults). Address obvious shared power/ground/reference problems first if supported by the evidence.
5. Wiggle test with live data: While monitoring the intake air temperature PID, gently manipulate the connector and harness. A sudden jump to an implausible value or intermittent dropouts strongly suggests a connection or wiring fault.
6. Verify circuit supply and ground integrity: Using the wiring diagram, identify the circuit terminals. With key on, measure the appropriate reference/supply and ground at the sensor connector (as applicable). Confirm the ground path can carry current by using voltage-drop techniques where practical.
7. Check the signal circuit for “stuck high” behavior: With the sensor disconnected, measure the signal circuit behavior per the circuit design. A circuit that remains driven high can indicate an open return/ground path, a short to a higher voltage, or an internal bias condition that must be interpreted using the wiring diagram and test procedure.
8. Measure connector and terminal condition: Perform terminal fit checks (pin tension) and inspect for spread terminals. Clean/repair as needed and ensure the connector seats fully and locks.
9. Evaluate sensor response: If circuit power/ground and wiring integrity are confirmed, evaluate whether the intake air temperature signal changes smoothly with temperature (for example, gentle warming of the sensor area while observing live data). A sensor that does not respond appropriately can be faulty even if the wiring appears intact.
10. Clear codes and verify the repair: Clear P0113, then run the engine and monitor intake air temperature behavior across idle and light acceleration. Recheck for pending/confirmed codes and confirm the intake air temperature reading behaves plausibly.

Professional tip: Because P0113 is a circuit input high fault, prioritize finding opens and high resistance. Don’t rely on a quick continuity check alone—inspect terminals closely and use voltage-drop testing where possible, since corrosion or a partially broken conductor can pass continuity tests but still cause an abnormally high circuit input in real operation.

Possible Fixes

• Reconnect a loose intake air temperature sensor connector and ensure proper locking/retention
• Repair open circuits, high-resistance wiring, or damaged insulation in the intake air temperature sensor circuit
• Clean corrosion and restore proper terminal tension; replace damaged terminals, seals, or connectors as required
• Repair a short to voltage affecting the intake air temperature sensor signal circuit
• Replace the intake air temperature sensor if it fails response testing after circuit integrity is confirmed
• Repair power/ground issues influencing sensor circuit operation when testing proves a shared electrical fault
• Replace or repair the engine control module only after verifying the sensor and circuit are correct and the input remains abnormally high under known-good conditions

Can I Still Drive With P0113?

Often the vehicle will still run with P0113 – Intake air temperature sensor circuit input high because the control module may substitute a default intake air temperature value. However, drivability and fuel economy can be affected because the module is operating without a trustworthy intake air temperature input. If you experience severe hesitation, stalling, or strong fuel-related symptoms, reduce driving and diagnose the circuit promptly, since incorrect control decisions can worsen performance and increase the chance of additional faults.

How Serious Is This Code?

P0113 is typically a “fix soon” powertrain circuit fault. On some vehicles it may mainly illuminate the Check Engine Light, but it can also contribute to rough running or poor fuel economy because the intake air temperature input influences engine calculations. The seriousness increases if the circuit fault causes substantial misfueling or unstable operation in traffic. Because it is a circuit-type DTC, the long-term risk is less about a single sensor reading and more about the underlying electrical integrity—an open, corroded, or shorted circuit can worsen over time and lead to additional driveability issues.

Common Misdiagnoses

The most frequent error is replacing the intake air temperature sensor without confirming the circuit fault. P0113 specifically indicates an intake air temperature sensor circuit input high condition, which is often caused by an open circuit, high resistance at terminals, or wiring damage rather than a failed sensor element. Another misdiagnosis is skipping freeze-frame and live data review; without checking plausibility and intermittency (wiggle test), a connector or harness problem can be missed and the code may return immediately after parts replacement.

Most Likely Fix

The most likely fix for P0113 – Intake air temperature sensor circuit input high is to correct an electrical connection or wiring problem in the intake air temperature sensor circuit—such as repairing an open/high-resistance connection at the sensor connector or fixing damaged wiring—then confirming the intake air temperature reading returns to a plausible value and the code does not reset.

Repair Costs

Repair cost depends on whether the confirmed root cause is a sensor, wiring, connector issue, or control module problem. Verify the fault electrically before replacing parts.