EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0113 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High Bank 1

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$20–$280
Do it yourself
Possible, easy
Shop time
0.2–1.5 hours

Intake air temperature sensor 1 is the first air temperature sensor in the intake path; depending on the vehicle it is built into the mass air flow sensor, mounted near the air filter or, on some naturally aspirated GM engines, fitted in the intake manifold.

How the engine computer detects it

Most versions are NTC thermistors in a 5 V divider: the hotter the air, the lower the signal voltage. P0113 means the signal is above its valid range. With an NTC sensor that is typically an open circuit – connector off, broken wire, open sensor or missing ground – or a short to a voltage source, and the module would read an extremely cold value (GM about −60 °C (−76 °F)). Documented limits: Ford gasoline above 4.96 V for 5 s, Ford diesel above 4.91 V, GM above about 127 kilohms. A classic cause is a sensor left unplugged after an air filter change; one manufacturer bulletin describes broken wires at the connector caused by harness tension. Monitoring is continuous, GM needs two trips.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Usually hardly noticeable
  • Slightly richer mixture and higher consumption possible
  • Torque limitation on some systems

Common causes

  1. Connector unplugged or loose, or wire broken Most likely
  2. Sensor open internally Most likely
  3. Sensor return (ground) wire open Possible
  4. Signal wire shorted to a voltage source Less likely
  5. Engine control module faulty Less likely

How to diagnose P0113

  1. Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
  2. Inspect the parts involved: intake air temperature sensor, intake air temperature sensor wiring, mass air flow sensor.
  3. Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
  4. Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.

Reading the code

P
Powertrain
0
Generic (SAE) code
1
Fuel and air metering
13
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0113?

Drive gently and only as far as you need to. The engine computer may limit power to protect the engine, so avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed. If the check engine light starts flashing, pull over.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0113?

Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.

Will P0113 clear by itself?

The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.

Can I fix P0113 myself?

Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: easy. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.

Often reported together

Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0113. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.

This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.