Hello,

I have an 03' accent 1.6 and the check engine light came on...car runs fine still ...got the OBD 2 Diagnostic which stated code "P0111 Intake Air Temp Circuit Range / Performance Problem"

I don't want to get raped by dealership...can this go ignored or is this a must fix immediatley situation and if so is it easy to fix and which part would I need?

Thanks in advance,

Shaun

 

Try to clear the code and see if it comes back again.

P0111 Intake Air Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem

A code P0111 may mean that one or more of the following has happened

* Internally failed IAT sensor
* Faulty connection at IAT sensor
* Open in IAT ground circuit or signal circuit
* Short to voltage in IAT signal circuit or reference circuit
* IAT harness and/or wiring routed too close to high-voltage wiring (e.g. alternator, spark plug cables, etc.)
* Faulty PCM (less likely but not impossible)

 

What does the IAT do, and could this be ignored if car still runs fine?

Thanks

 

It's probably an intermittent problem. In other words, the thing hickupped. Take it to Autozone for a free code reading, and ask them to clear the code.

The IAT measures intake air temperature. It's just a little sensor that attaches to the intake.

You don't want to ride around with a "check engine" light on all the time, because you might get another problem down the road that you want to be warned about. So clear the code, and see if it comes back. You might need to replace the sensor if it does.

 

Determines the temperature of the air as it just enters the engine's intake system. The ECM needs to know the air temperature to help estimate the amount of air being sucked into the engine at any given moment which affects the amount of fuel being fed to the cylinders.

Sure, but the engine is likely being fed fuel on the rich side. Short term, your gas mileage will decline. Long term, too much fuel can lead to other problems like a burned out catalytic converter. The sensors can fail, but problems with the harness wires are more common since the connector is exposed on top of the engine bay. I suggest you remove the harness plug to the sensor body on the air box and then firmly reconnect it to make sure it is properly seated to the sensor body. It may simply be loose and the CEL may go out. Otherwise, you should get this fixed.