One of the wires on my air temp sensor broke off and the wire that is left on the unit is too short to reconnect it, so I have a CEL now and no way to fix it without a new sensor. Everyone always says the the IAT serves no purpose except for diagnostic use. In the Haynes manual it says it helps to fine tune fuel metering. If in fact there is no use for it other than diagnostic purposes, why can't I just put a resistor between the two wires because all it looks for is a resistance anyway. I really don't feel like spending $50 for a new sensor that doesn't really do anything. There is a chart in the haynes manual that plots temperature vs. resistance, so I could just pick one and go with it. Anyone see any problems with this idea?

 

Your idea sounds very logical. Which way would you go, resistance wise? Cooler air or warmer air? You could try both and see if you get any noticeable gains or losses.