P0113 code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High
P0113 means intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High. The code says where to look, not what failed — the fix depends on which cause your car actually has.
What P0113 means
Your engine computer reads incoming-air temperature from the IAT sensor and uses it to fine-tune fueling and ignition timing. P0113 means that sensor's signal is reading high — which the computer interprets as impossibly cold (or open-circuit) air. Usually it's the sensor itself failing or a break in its wiring/connector. On many cars the IAT is built into the MAF sensor, so the fix may be a MAF assembly. It has only a minor effect on drivability.
P0113 symptoms
- Check-engine light, often with no noticeable change
- Slightly rough running or hesitation in some cases
- Minor drop in fuel economy
What it costs to fix P0113
Typical range: $30–$350 · about ~0.2–1 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| IAT sensor (standalone) | $15–$60 | ~0.2–0.5 hrs |
| MAF assembly (when IAT is integrated) | $80–$300 | ~0.2–0.5 hrs |
| Wiring / connector repair | $10–$120 | ~0.5–1 hrs |
A standalone IAT sensor is cheap; the cost jumps only if the IAT is built into the MAF and the whole assembly is replaced. Wiring repairs are usually inexpensive once the fault is found.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0113 for my exact vehicle →
How to fix P0113
Easy — basic tools, most owners can do this
- Look at the IAT reading on live data
On a scan tool, an open IAT circuit shows an absurd cold reading (often -40°). If the intake air temperature is reading impossibly cold on a warm day, the circuit is open somewhere — sensor, connector, or wiring.
- Inspect and reseat the connector
Unplug the IAT connector (on many cars it's part of the MAF plug) and check for corrosion, bent pins, or a terminal backed out of the housing. Clean with contact cleaner, reseat, and watch whether the live reading snaps to something sane.
- Test the sensor with the jumper trick
With the key on and the sensor unplugged, briefly jumper the two connector terminals together: the reading should swing from full cold to full hot. If it swings, the wiring and computer are fine and the sensor itself is open — replace it. If it doesn't, the fault is in the harness.
- Repair the wiring or replace the sensor
Replace a failed IAT sensor (or the MAF assembly if the IAT is integrated) — it's typically a single connector and a twist-lock or one screw. If the jumper test pointed to wiring, find and repair the break, commonly where the harness flexes near the airbox.
DIY or shop? This is a beginner-friendly diagnosis: the live-data check, connector cleaning, and jumper test take under half an hour with a cheap scanner and require no special skills. A standalone IAT sensor is one of the cheapest parts on the car to replace yourself. The only reasons to visit a shop are an IAT integrated into an expensive MAF assembly you'd like confirmed before buying, or a wiring break you can't locate.
Tools for the DIY steps: OBD2 scanner with live data · Electrical contact cleaner · Small jumper wire or paper clip · Screwdriver · Multimeter (optional, to check sensor resistance)
Not sure which step applies to your car? Get the likely cause for your exact vehicle before buying anything for P0113.
Start a case with P0113 and your car. Redline weighs these causes against what your car shows, and names the check that would settle it before you buy parts.
Can I drive with P0113?
Redline can’t determine from a symptom or code alone whether your car is safe to drive.
P0113: common questions
Can I drive with P0113?
A code can't make that judgment on its own. P0113 itself is one of the lower-urgency codes, with only a minor effect on how the engine runs. Fix it before an emissions test and to clear the light, and sooner if the engine starts running poorly.
Is the IAT sensor part of the MAF?
On many modern cars, yes — the intake-air-temperature element is built into the mass-airflow sensor. If so, the repair may mean replacing the MAF assembly rather than a separate IAT sensor.
What does "circuit high" mean for P0113?
The sensor's voltage is at the high end, which the computer reads as extremely cold or disconnected air. That usually means a failed sensor or an open (broken) wire, rather than a real temperature.
How much does it cost to fix P0113?
Often inexpensive — a standalone IAT sensor or a wiring fix is cheap. The cost only rises if the sensor is integrated into the MAF and the whole unit is replaced.
Symptoms that trigger P0113
Drivers who get this code often notice one of these. Each has its own causes and cost guide:
Related trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0113 from your phone. See our guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters. Run a repair shop? See Redline for shops.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies. Confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection. Cost ranges are reference ranges, not quotes.
Seeing P0113 on your car?
Every problem becomes a Case. Tell Redline what the car is doing: it shows what the evidence supports, what’s still missing, and what to check next, before you approve a repair.
“Inner pad ~1 mm. Outer pad 3 mm.”
Next: check the slide pins move freely before buying parts.