I got my knock sensor put in and the guys there did a diagnostics test and said that I have to get a new MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor) too. So I went home and checked to see what was wrong to make sure, and I got code 0401 (same as when I checked about a month ago) and this code means a new IATS (Intake Air Temperature Sensor), is this the same thing as the MAF sensor or did they just mess it up?

 

No, they're different sensors. IATS plugs into the stock box (or the piping if you have a CAI).

 

Alright well I have an aftermarket intake (not CAI just short ram) so is there anything I can do about this?

 

replace it.

 

No its not the same as the MAF, its a small sensor that goes plugged into the airbox on the side. If you have an old intake like my frankencar it doesnt have a hole for you to screw it in, mine just hangs inside the intake filter. Its a small black plug with a harness.

Yes you can replace it, its pretty cheap from what I last saw, I think it was around $20

 

man those are like two major price differences man, plus i think you have to pay the dealership to program the newMAF or somethin. and i think that other iatc is for outside air?

 

Thats right the IATS measures the temperature of the air going into the intake.

 

replace it. i believe it either plugs into your mid-pipe, or the pipe after it.

 

Ok I think I found out what happened. The guy that put the intake in the car (the last owner) left the stock ram air scoop in there, and since I saw it was ugly and didnt hook up to anything, i took it out, and the sensor was still plugged into that. So i just zip tied the sensor so something since it was plugged into something that wasnt even functional (the stock ram air scoop). and that is the sensor that went bad. When I get the new sensor should I put the stock ram air scoop back on so I can plug the sensor into that? Cuz the wires wont even reach to my aftermarket filter, so if I get a new one, can I just zip tie it somewhere NEAR the filter? or does it HAVE to be in the piping or something?

 

bump bump bump

 

from what i've heard you dont' have to have it in the intake at all. you can just zip tie it anywhere that gets air. i kept the stock box before the MAF and just rigged it in there.

 

you should try to put it in the intake. that way it'll get accurate reads on the temperature of the air in the piping.

 

Just zip tie it somewhere.

And according to the FSM (for '97's), the IATS is not used for engine tuning at all. It is for diagnostic purposes only (probably so the computer knows what temp it is for testing the other sensors that are temperature dependent). People with different intakes have them placed in different spots with no adverse engine performance. This supports the FSM saying it is used for diagnostic purposes only.

Does your car run fine? Try plugging it in, zip tying it somewhere, reset your computer, and re-check for codes.

Dave

 

Ya, I put in the stock air scoop, plugged the sensor into it, reset the ECU, and within about a minute it came right back on. it WAS just zip tied about a foot away from the filter, so I guess it just went bad. The car runs just fine, but i just wanna get that DAMN SERVICE ENGINE SOON light off, its been on for like 5 months now b/c of this and the knock sensor I just replaced. Thanks all!!!!