P0110 – Intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit short to battery or open

Last updated: April 8, 2026

P0110 is an ISO/SAE controlled powertrain DTC that indicates a circuit-level fault affecting the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit. Specifically, the engine control module has detected that this circuit is either open (electrically disconnected) or shorted to battery voltage. Because the fault type is Circuit/Open or Short, diagnosis should focus on scan tool confirmation, connector condition, and wiring integrity rather than assuming a sensor element failure. When the circuit is open or forced high by battery voltage, the controller cannot rely on the intake air temperature input and will typically substitute a default value. That substitute value can alter fuel and ignition decisions, leading to drivability changes and increased emissions until the circuit fault is corrected.

🔍Look up your vehicle's recalls, specs & safety ratings — free VIN decoder with NHTSA data

P0110 Quick Answer

P0110 means the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit is reading as short to battery or open. Start by confirming the code with a scan tool and checking freeze frame and live IAT data for a stuck or extreme reading. Then inspect the IAT sensor 1 bank 1 connector and harness for a loose plug, corrosion, broken wires, or chafing. Finish with targeted electrical checks to confirm an open circuit or an unwanted battery-voltage feed on the IAT circuit before replacing any parts.

What Does P0110 Mean?

The official meaning of P0110 is: Intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit short to battery or open. In other words, the control module is not flagging a normal temperature performance issue; it is flagging an electrical state that indicates the circuit is disconnected or being driven by battery voltage. This is why the enforced fault type is Circuit/Open or Short.

“Sensor 1 bank 1” identifies the specific intake air temperature sensor circuit the module is monitoring. The DTC sets when the module sees an implausible electrical condition on that circuit consistent with an open circuit or a short to battery. The result is that the module cannot use the real intake air temperature signal and will often default to a substitute value to keep the engine running.

Theory of Operation

The intake air temperature sensor is a temperature-sensitive electrical device used by the engine controller to estimate intake air temperature. The controller monitors the IAT circuit voltage and interprets that voltage as a temperature input. Under normal conditions, the IAT circuit produces a predictable signal that changes with temperature, and the controller uses that input to support fuel and ignition calculations.

P0110 sets when the controller detects the IAT sensor 1 bank 1 circuit is not electrically plausible because it appears open or shorted to battery voltage. An open circuit can occur when the connector is unplugged, terminals lose contact, or a wire is broken, causing the controller to see a missing signal. A short to battery occurs when the circuit is unintentionally connected to battery voltage, forcing the signal to an abnormal level. Either condition can cause the controller to disregard the input and substitute a default value.

Symptoms

• The malfunction indicator lamp (check engine light) illuminates and may return quickly after clearing if the circuit fault is still present.
• The engine may hesitate or feel inconsistent during acceleration because the controller is operating with a substituted intake air temperature value.
• Fuel economy may decrease because fueling calculations can be less accurate when the IAT input is not valid.
• The engine may idle rough or feel unstable, especially during temperature changes such as cold start or hot restart.
• The engine may be harder to start in some conditions because the controller is not using a true intake air temperature signal.
• A scan tool may show the intake air temperature reading stuck at an extreme value or not responding to obvious temperature changes.
• Emissions may increase and readiness/inspection completion may be affected because the fault forces the controller into a fallback strategy.

Common Causes

• A disconnected intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 connector can create an open circuit, making the controller detect a missing signal and set an open-circuit DTC.
• Corrosion, moisture, or poor terminal tension at the connector can intermittently open the circuit, causing the signal to drop out and appear open to the controller.
• A broken wire or internal conductor damage in the IAT circuit can create a true open circuit, preventing the correct voltage signal from reaching the controller.
• A short to battery on the IAT circuit wiring can force the circuit voltage high, which the controller interprets as a short-to-battery fault condition.
• Harness chafing or pinched wiring can expose the IAT circuit to a nearby battery feed, creating an intermittent or constant short to battery that triggers P0110.
• A damaged or backed-out terminal at the sensor or controller connector can break circuit continuity, producing an open-circuit signature even when the connector appears installed.
• An internal fault in the controller input for the IAT circuit can mimic an open or short-to-battery condition after all external wiring checks pass, though this is typically uncommon compared to wiring or connector issues.

Diagnosis Steps

Tools: OBD-II scan tool with live data and freeze frame access, DVOM (digital volt/ohm meter), back-probe pins or probe adapters, wiring diagram/service information for the IAT circuit, and basic hand tools for connector access and harness inspection.

1. Use a scan tool to confirm P0110 is present and note whether it is stored, pending, or active. Record freeze frame data and pay attention to the intake air temperature parameter at the time of the fault, along with battery voltage and engine operating state. If other sensor circuit codes are present, document them because multiple circuit faults can change the testing plan.
2. Review live data for intake air temperature with key on, engine off and compare it to a reasonable expected temperature for the vehicle’s current environment. If the reading is stuck, extreme, or not changing when conditions change, treat that as evidence supporting an open or short-to-battery circuit fault. Do not replace parts yet; use the data to guide where to test.
3. Perform a careful visual inspection of the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 connector and the immediate harness routing. Look for a partially seated connector, broken locking tabs, moisture intrusion, corrosion, or signs the harness has been pulled tight. Correct obvious connector seating issues and re-check code status before moving to deeper electrical tests.
4. With the ignition off, disconnect the IAT sensor connector and inspect the terminals closely. Check for spread terminals, pushed-back pins, bent terminals, or green/white corrosion that would prevent reliable contact. If you find terminal damage, repair the terminal condition before proceeding because poor contact can mimic an open circuit.
5. With the connector still disconnected, switch the ignition on and use the DVOM to check the circuit voltages at the harness side according to the wiring diagram. Your goal is to determine whether the circuit behavior matches an open circuit or a short to battery. If the suspected signal circuit shows battery voltage when it should not, treat that as evidence of a short to battery and prioritize harness isolation testing.
6. Test for an open circuit by checking continuity of the IAT circuit wiring between the sensor connector and the controller connector per service information. Perform the continuity test with connectors disconnected to avoid false readings through the controller, and move/position the harness while measuring to catch intermittent opens. If continuity is lost or unstable, locate the break and repair the wiring.
7. Test specifically for a short to battery by measuring voltage on the IAT circuit with the sensor disconnected and observing whether it stays at or near battery voltage. If battery voltage is present, isolate the harness segment-by-segment until the voltage disappears, indicating the short-to-battery source is within the last separated section. Inspect that section for chafing, pinch points, or contact with a battery feed.
8. Perform a wiggle test while monitoring live intake air temperature data and/or the circuit voltage with the DVOM. Move the harness near the connector and along likely rub points to see if the reading drops out (open) or spikes (short) in sync with movement. If the fault is movement-related, focus repairs on terminal tension, connector fit, and the exact harness section that triggers the change.
9. After repairing any wiring or connector issues, reconnect everything and clear the DTCs. Start the engine and monitor live intake air temperature data to confirm it behaves plausibly rather than staying fixed or extreme. Re-check for pending or immediate-reset codes to confirm the circuit fault is resolved.
10. Complete a road test while monitoring live data and then re-scan for codes. Confirm P0110 does not return and that the intake air temperature reading remains stable and responsive to normal operating changes. If the code returns after external wiring and connector integrity have been proven, follow service information for controller-side pin testing and input verification.

Professional tip: Treat P0110 as an electrical fault first: prove whether the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit is open or being driven by battery voltage. A quick way to avoid unnecessary parts replacement is to verify that the circuit reacts normally when the connector is handled and when the harness is moved; intermittent opens and short-to-battery chafes often reveal themselves only under movement and vibration.

Possible Fixes

• Reconnect a loose intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 connector and ensure the lock is fully engaged.
• Repair or replace damaged terminals in the IAT connector to restore proper terminal tension and reliable electrical contact.
• Repair an open circuit in the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 wiring by restoring continuity and protecting the harness from future strain.
• Repair a short to battery in the IAT circuit by locating the chafe/pinch point and restoring insulation and correct routing.
• Clean and dry the connector and address corrosion or moisture intrusion that can create intermittent opens.
• Replace the intake air temperature sensor only after circuit testing confirms the wiring and connections are not open and not shorted to battery.

Can I Still Drive With P0110?

You can often drive with P0110 for a short period, but drivability and fuel economy may suffer because the controller may substitute a default intake air temperature value when the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit is open or shorted to battery. The primary risk is poor engine operation such as hesitation, rough idle, or hard starting rather than an immediate mechanical failure directly caused by the code. If the engine stalls, runs very poorly, or the warning light is accompanied by other electrical codes, reduce driving and diagnose promptly. Because this is a Circuit/Open or Short fault, the condition can worsen suddenly if the harness or connector intermittently makes and breaks contact.

How Serious Is This Code?

P0110 is typically a moderate-severity powertrain code because it indicates an electrical fault that can degrade engine control accuracy and emissions performance. While it may not create an immediate safety hazard by itself, an open or short-to-battery condition can cause unpredictable drivability changes and can prevent proper readiness completion for inspection. The seriousness increases if the fault is intermittent, since intermittent opens or shorts can cause sudden changes in engine behavior. Addressing the circuit fault promptly reduces the chance of repeated stalling, poor starts, and continued operation with a substituted value.

Common Misdiagnoses

The most common misdiagnosis for P0110 is replacing the intake air temperature sensor immediately without proving the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit is not open and not shorted to battery. Because the code definition is explicitly “circuit short to battery or open,” the root cause is frequently a connector terminal issue or wiring damage rather than the sensing element. Another frequent mistake is stopping after a quick continuity check; a circuit can show continuity at rest yet open under vibration, or it can intermittently contact battery voltage due to chafing. The correct approach is to confirm the circuit fault using scan tool data, visual inspection, and targeted electrical tests that specifically detect opens and short-to-battery conditions.

Most Likely Fix

The most likely fix for P0110 is correcting a wiring or connector problem that causes the intake air temperature sensor 1 bank 1 circuit to be open or shorted to battery. That commonly means repairing a damaged harness section, restoring terminal fit at the connector, removing corrosion/moisture that interrupts contact, or fixing a chafe point that lets battery voltage feed the circuit. After the repair, the most important verification is that live intake air temperature data becomes plausible and responsive and that P0110 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.

as a verification step, not as a repair, and do not consider the issue resolved until the IAT reading behaves normally and the DTC stays cleared through a complete warm-up and drive cycle.