IAT Sensors Going Bad

[Ultra Ego]

This may be a long shot, but can anyone shed some light on why my IAT sensor goes bad about every 6 months?

I am confirming the incorrect temperature value on my scanner.

I’m buying the GM Genuine from Rock Auto so I believe it is probably a legit part.

When I replace the sensor, the car starts and runs great. Once the sensor goes bad, hot starts are a low-rpm affair, but it will start.

 

[DrivenDaily]

See if it is in the direct path of exhaust gases that may be melting it...

 

[02LTD2.0]

See if it is in the direct path of exhaust gases that may be melting it...

Considering where the IAT sensor is that would be a very large and noisy exhaust leak.😳

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Is my understanding correct in that after a period of a few months, the temp readings become inaccurate, the car becomes difficult to start hot but there are no relevant trouble codes?

 

[DrivenDaily]

Considering where the IAT sensor is that would be a very large and noisy exhaust leak.😳

I wasn't sure if it was located close to the EGR or not.

 

[02LTD2.0]

I wasn't sure if it was located close to the EGR or not.

It's by the air box. It measures the temperature of the air upstream of the MAF sensor.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

It's by the air box. It measures the temperature of the air upstream of the MAF sensor.

Just curious, what temperatures are you seeing from the IAT when performing hot starts?
I've looked at two of my 3.8L LeSabre's and I'm seeing 116-123 degrees F, which probably makes sense due to under the hood ambient temps when the engine is up to temp.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Just curious, what temperatures are you seeing from the IAT when performing hot starts?

Never checked. No need to.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

I was curious what temps Ultra Ego is seeing on the scanner when he has the hot starts issue (from the original post).

 

[02LTD2.0]

I was curious what temps Ultra Ego is seeing on the scanner when he has the hot starts issue (from the original post).

It looked like you were asking ME. In my opinion I don't see how that sensor could be affecting hot starts. There are probably other issues that are causing hot start problems for the OP.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

It looked like you were asking ME. In my opinion I don't see how that sensor could be affecting hot starts. There are probably other issues that are causing hot start problems for the OP.

Sorry, I should have addressed U.E.
It be interesting to hear what temp values that he is seeing on the scanner when the hot-start problem occurs.

 

[Ultra Ego]

I was curious what temps Ultra Ego is seeing on the scanner when he has the hot starts issue (from the original post).

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will check the *F number with my scanner.

Since this is my third one going bad, I recognize the symptoms and didn’t record the actual reading.

No, no other codes.

 

[Ultra Ego]

Sorry it took a while to get back to this.

The current sensor read a steady 104* incoming air temp.

I bought a new one today and installed it and it has a steady reading of 96.8*. Getting better, but still wrong as the outside air temp was 78*. It could be a short in the connector plug. Apparently this is a common enough issue that they advertise the connector plug right next to the IAT sensors.

Does anyone know if there is an ohm test to see if the new IAT is within a normal range?

I will check the connector plug and most likely replace it out of caution and report back.

Note: GM advertises two models of IATs that will work for my '03 Ultra. Most places only sell the two-pin model and I can't even find an online picture of the other model, and no stores stock it, so I suspect ithe second model uses a different connector plug. I can post model numbers if anyone is interested.