Ecotec IAT Sensor Trouble.

[PsychoJJ]

So far in the past week Ive seen this problem pop up at least 3 times and that is just too many times for my taste. So here it is in black and white.

If you have a newer model cavalier or sunfire with the 2.2 Ecotec motor and are finding your self with problems such as the car wants to stall at some point either slowing the car down or at a stop, with the ac on the cars shift points are much harder then normal or if the trans acts like it doesnt want to shift or doesnt shift in a timely fashion. Also if your engine throws a IAT Sensor code this will also fix that. Chances are though if you are noticing any of the above mentioned problems as well as the engine throwing a "RPMs Too High" code.

All these problems come from a sad and rather pathetic place...2 poorly designed wires. The IAT Sensor or Intake Air Temperature Sensor is connected to the intake via 2 poorly designed wires. The stock wires used are of a very light gauge and over time or after taking your stock air box off a few too many times these wires no longer make a good connection and can cause many if not all of the above mentioned problems.

No, this is not a very serious thing. It can how ever if gone unchecked for too long can cause damage to your trans thanks to all the hard shifting.

Fixing the problem is as simple as going to your local automotive parts store and picking up a new IAT sensor with the bigger gauge wires. If your good enough with electronics you can also rewire your existing IAT sensor but that can cause problems down the road as well so you are better off just getting a new one.

A new IAT sensor depending on where you go to purchase it should run you anywhere from $15-25. If you got any engine codes thanks to the sensor after the install go and have your codes cleared and in a few days of your computer working back out the bugs you will be back to good.

Here is a pick of an ecotec engine. I have highlighted the entire wire that leads from the sensor as well as circled the actual plug in for it. In the other pick is the general location of the sensor as it would be in your engine bay.





Hope this helps at least someone. Oh and btw this problem with no engine mods will indeed make your car run a tad faster thanks to the fact that your computers air temp settings are all messed up but that doesnt mean you shouldnt get this problem fixed ASAP.

[FinchUsed]

Thanks for posting that. You gave me that advice as well but not being too mechanically inclined this will definately help. Pictures are always welcomed in my book so hey, thanks now I can do it myself hopefully, or just have my mechanic friend help me.

[PsychoJJ]

If you can splice together 2 wires with good solid connectors then you can do it your self. I would go with the heat shrink connections personally. They have a good strong hold.

[stevefx19]

Do you replace the actual IAT sensor that is in the intake tube or just the connector that goes into it with the wires cuz I cant find the connector with the larger wires in the auto stores but I have found the actual sensor in auto part stores.

[PsychoJJ]

Its the connection itself.

[stevefx19]

I just replaced my IAT sensor (the plastic piece in the intake tube ) with a new one from NAPA. This one was made with metal not plastic and for a whole day it did not help, my tranny kept messing up real bad and my car even stalled like 3 times. I could not find the connector with the wires in the auto stores. But the next day my car ran fine and it still is. Did it do this because the computer took a while to recognize the new sensor or what. Also how do u check the fluid in these trannies with no dipstick????

[PsychoJJ]

Yes, it does take at least a day for your comp to unretard itself.

[dmedsz24]

Ive had the same problem with my 02 2.4l. I replaced the sensor and the p0113 code came up again. With the same issues after only 2 days since replacing the sensor

[Tech II]

Could be the harness connector or wire in the harness, that is bad, going back to the PCM....