P0113 means Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High. The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor signal is reading high voltage, which the computer interprets as very cold air or an open 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 P0113 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.
P0113 symptoms
- Check engine light, often with little drivability change
- Slightly rough running or poor fuel economy on some vehicles
Common causes of P0113
- Unplugged or damaged IAT connector
- Open circuit in the wiring
- Failed sensor (on many vehicles the IAT is built into the MAF sensor)
- Connector left off after air filter or intake work
How to diagnose P0113
- Check that the IAT or MAF connector is plugged in, especially after intake work
- Compare the IAT reading on a cold engine with outside temperature
- Check the wiring for opens
Can you drive with P0113?
Usually yes; the computer substitutes a default value. Repair it so fueling and timing use the real air temperature.
P0113 tips
Because the IAT is built into the MAF on many vehicles, P0113 right after an air filter change usually means a connector was left loose. A scan tool reading of about -40 degrees is the classic sign of an open circuit; a reading close to outside air temperature on a cold engine means the sensor itself is working.
Will P0113 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 P0113 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 |
|---|---|
| P0101 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0117 | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Low |
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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