P0110 means Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit. The computer has detected a general fault in the intake air temperature sensor circuit. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0110 means
Most engine sensors receive a 5-volt reference and return a signal between roughly 0 and 5 volts. Codes ending in circuit high or circuit low usually point to an electrical fault: an open circuit, a short or an unplugged connector. Range/performance codes mean a signal is present but disagrees with what the computer expects from the other sensors, which more often points to a dirty sensor, an air leak or a mechanical problem.
P0110 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Possible hard starting or poor fuel economy
- Often no obvious symptom
Common causes of P0110
- Unplugged or damaged connector, often after air filter service
- Failed sensor, which on many vehicles is built into the MAF sensor
- Wiring open or short
How to diagnose P0110
- Compare the IAT reading with outside air temperature on a cold engine
- Inspect the connector at the air box or MAF
- Check the 5-volt reference and ground
Can you drive with P0110?
Usually yes.
P0110 tips
A general circuit code right after air filter service usually means a connector was disturbed. Reseat it and clear the code before buying parts.
Will P0110 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0110 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0112 | Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low |
| P0113 | Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High |
| P0101 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Sensor codes are usually fixed with a sensor, a connector, wiring or a leak repair rather than major parts. If testing turns up internal engine trouble instead, see how to tell if an engine is blown and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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