P0114Generic code

P0114 Code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent

The P0114 code means the IAT sensor signal cuts out or jumps intermittently. The most likely cause is a loose connection in the connector or a damaged wire, rather than the sensor itself.

Severity
Low
Can I keep driving?
Yes, no immediate risk
Estimated cost
$15 to $150
Difficulty
Easy
System
Air and Fuel
Applies to
All OBD2 vehicles

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

On this page

What the P0114 code means

The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor sits in the air filter box, in the intake duct, or built into the MAF sensor. The computer relies on it because it adjusts the amount of fuel and the spark advance according to air density.

The computer detected that the IAT signal disappears or jumps for a moment and then comes back. Brief dropouts like that are almost never the sensor. They are the typical signature of a loose connection in the connector, or of a wire broken inside its insulation that opens the circuit with vibration or heat.

Remember that the P0114 code points to the circuit where the computer saw the anomaly, not necessarily the failed part. Check the wiring before you replace the sensor, and test the IAT sensor step by step as described below.

P0114 code symptoms

  • Check engine light on steadily.
  • In many cases you notice nothing while driving, just the light on the dash.
  • The symptoms come and go, often with bumps in the road, rain or when the engine warms up.
  • Companion codes for the same sensor may appear (low signal, high signal or intermittent).

Likely causes of the P0114 code

  1. Loose connection in the connector: loose, backed-out or corroded pins.
  2. Wire broken inside its insulation, which opens the circuit with vibration.
  3. Harness rubbing against moving or hot parts.
  4. Loose shared ground that affects several sensors at once.
  5. Sensor with an intermittent internal fault, which is less common than the causes above.
  6. Complementary check: a dirty MAF or a bad air filter will not set this code, but they are worth inspecting because on many models they share the connector.

How to diagnose the P0114 code step by step

  1. Read the sensor live data and compare it with what is expected. With a cold engine after several hours parked, the IAT should match the ambient temperature and agree with the coolant (ECT) sensor within a few degrees.
  2. Inspect the connector. Unplug it, look for green, backed-out or oily pins, and plug it back in firmly.
  3. With the key on and the sensor unplugged, measure the reference at the connector. There should be about 5 V between the signal and ground.
  4. Jumper test. With the sensor unplugged, the scan tool should show about -40 °C (-40 °F). When you join the two connector pins with a wire, it should jump to more than 120 °C (248 °F). If it does, the wiring is fine and the problem is the sensor.
  5. Measure the sensor resistance and compare it with the technical data table at the current temperature.
  6. Do the wiggle test with the engine running. Move the harness and the connector while you watch the live data, because a jump shows you where the fault is.
  7. Check the continuity of each wire between the sensor connector and the computer connector with the key off.

How to fix the P0114 code

  • Repair or replace the connector terminals that do not grip properly.
  • Replace the damaged section of wire and protect it from rubbing.
  • Only if the fault continues with perfect wiring, replace the sensor.
  • Use a quality original or equivalent sensor, because cheap generic ones often have different response curves.
  • Clear the codes, drive one full cycle and check in live data that the reading makes sense.

Technical reference data

  • Approximate resistance: about 3,500 ohms at 0 °C (32 °F), 2,000 to 2,500 ohms at 20 °C (68 °F) and about 300 ohms at 80 °C (176 °F).
  • Approximate signal voltage: 3 to 3.5 V with air at 20 °C (68 °F), dropping as it warms up.
  • Computer reference: 5 V.
  • Open circuit reading on the scan tool: about -40 °C (-40 °F). Short circuit reading: more than 120 °C (248 °F).
  • Values are approximate, so check the manufacturer data for your engine.

Brand-specific notes

When you see a P0114 code on a turbocharged engine, remember there is usually a second sensor after the intercooler, with its own code.

P0114 on Ford

On many Ford vehicles the IAT is built into the MAF and is not sold separately. If the fault is in the sensor, you replace the whole assembly.

P0114 on GM

On many GM vehicles the IAT is built into the MAF and is not sold separately. If the fault is in the sensor, you replace the whole assembly.

P0114 on Nissan

On many Nissan vehicles the IAT is built into the MAF and is not sold separately. If the fault is in the sensor, you replace the whole assembly.

P0114 on Toyota

On many Toyota vehicles the IAT is built into the MAF and is not sold separately. If the fault is in the sensor, you replace the whole assembly.

Frequently asked questions about P0114

Can I drive with a P0114 code?
Yes. In general there is no immediate risk, but the engine runs on a substitute value and may use more fuel. Get it repaired soon.
Does the P0114 code always mean replacing the IAT sensor?
No. In most cases the fault is in the connector or the wiring. Do the power, ground and continuity tests first.
What is the difference between low signal and high signal?
On a thermistor, a low signal means an impossibly high temperature (a short circuit) and a high signal means an impossibly low temperature (an open circuit).
How much does it cost to fix P0114?
Roughly $15 to $150. The cheapest repair is fixing a connector and the most expensive is replacing the sensor with labor. It varies by shop and region.
What does the P0114 code mean?
It is a generic OBD2 code that means the intake air temperature sensor signal drops out or jumps and then returns. It usually points to a loose connection or a damaged wire.
What is the most common cause of P0114?
A loose connection in the connector, such as backed-out or corroded pins, or a wire broken inside its insulation. The sensor itself is the less likely culprit.

Related codes

Questions about the P0114 code

There are no questions about this code yet. Tell us about your case: vehicle, symptoms and what you have already checked.