Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) HOLD ON! Before you try to remove your IAT sensor...

[RJOL]

I get a lot of good tips on the TDR. One of them was the "inspection of the IAT sensor. " It's a nice Sunday afternoon, so I decided to give it a shot. My truck has 26K on it and the only engine mod is an EZ...



Here is what you'll need... 3/8" ratchet; 13/16" deep socket; 6" extension.



Here is the problem... The IAT sensor is near the back of the engine, on the drivers side. It is extremely difficult to get back there as you have to weave your arm through wires, and get past the oil dip stick support bracket. Once your there, it is difficult to remove the two wire harness, as it has a snap tab on it, and unfortunately, on my engine, the tab is on the back side of the IAT sensor. After many minutes of working on this, and a lot of scratches on the old arm, I finally was able to get the tab connector off. Then you have to get the socket on it and turn it off (once again... not a lot of room to work).



Once I got it out (after asking myself why I even started this) there was hardly any soot on the sensor at all. Cleaned what was there with carb cleaner (so at least I could feel like I hadn't totally wasted my time) and then begin the process of getting it all back together.



Took about 30 minutes and my recommendation would be to leave it alone, unless you suspect you have a problem (i. e. higher mileage engine, loss of power, reduced MPG, etc)... . Just my $. 02 worth... .

 

[Pit Bull]

Thanks for the insight. You confirmed what I felt from reading the earlier posts. If it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[jcbrown]

Access...

I climb on top of my engine to gain easier access. Rest my knee's on top of the valve cover.

 

[merryman]

RJOL

You described MY experience very well; its not too bad a job--once you figure out how to get a wrench on it!!

I have 46K miles and have used an exhaust brake ALL the time sinve about 1K; I leave it on and its part of every stop.

Yet, my sensor was only slightly covered with an oily residue. Since I was having no power or fuel consumption problems, I was very tempted to leave it alone and sure could have.

Cleaning it made no dicernable difference.

Vaughn

 

[Reb.B]

oh come on, it ain't that bad. I say tear down the motor and build it back the next day, just for kicks. It takes about 10 minutes to check the sencor and it was filthy. at least mine was.

 

[Blu-meanie]

It's a lot easier if you remove the two fuel filter mounting bolts and let it hang down a bit.

 

[mcoleman]

The amount of soot on it really has nothing to do with how it is working. Mine was perfectly clean and I thought I was getting good mileage. After replacing the sensor I went from 20. 1 mpg to 21. 3 mpg actual mileage and the truck was more responsive. Check the other threads for a how to on reading voltage to see if it needs replacing. At 23. 95 I just replaced mine instead of checking it.

 

[Whitmore]

Cleaning the IAT is mostly for the guys with exhaust brakes, mine was covered totaly with soot, cleaned off easily with a little carb cleaner and after fire up I noticed the Cummins even sounded smoother... ... ... never did check milage.

I guess my long arms made the work easy... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... 10 -15 minutes no problem... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[WTBurke]

I have 33K miles and serviced the IAT yesterday for the first time. I have no exhaust break and the IAT was extreamly clean.

It took me 15 minutes R/R.

By the way guys it's a thermistor and I measured 7. 5K @ 80F on a V. O. M. that is 20megs per volt.



William

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by mcoleman

The amount of soot on it really has nothing to do with how it is working. Mine was perfectly clean and I thought I was getting good mileage. After replacing the sensor I went from 20. 1 mpg to 21. 3 mpg actual mileage and the truck was more responsive. Check the other threads for a how to on reading voltage to see if it needs replacing. At 23. 95 I just replaced mine instead of checking it.

Mark since we live close, I was wondering where you buy your fuel? I buy mine at Big Al's Texaco truck stop on highway 65 and CC.

 

[Posm]

I replaced mine yesterday and it took less than twenty minutes. Mine was very dirty and would certainly have had a slow reaction. I find that the $25. 00 for the replacement is reasonable and having the replacement to see how the lock works and the peice fits will help as you work by feel and not by sight.

 

[LSMITH]

Checked mine at about 85K miles and it was like new. Tested with meter and it was spot on. I figure I should check it again at 170K just to be sure it still works right.

 

[Rockcrusher]

Those darn electrical connectors have always been a problem to get apart even with two hands, let alone one. It's time to make a tool to take them apart! Not that I dont have anything else to do, but we could sure use one. Hummm, whee do I start?

 

[Rattler]

I hate to sound stupid, but here goes. What is the iat sensor and why do i need to clean it?

 

[DEZLPWR]

Rattler: Here's some good reading for you on the IAT...

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/sensors/IAT/clean.htm



Enjoy!

 

[curatchko]

Took me about 2 minutes to figure out it was 13/16 deep well socket, and about 2 more minutes to get it out. 2 more minutes to put it back in and reconnect the wire.



6 minute job.

 

[Amianthus]

Cleaning it is only part of the solution. You really need to test the thing to verify that it is accurate. My mileage was down, but I just attributed that to my heavy foot and my mild BOMBing. But I figured what the heck. Pulled the sensor, cleaned it, tested it and found it to be reading almost 20 degrees low!!! So the engine was always running rich. I ordered a new sensor from my dealer (Best deal. Better than Cummins). When I put it in, I noticed that I got more performance back and that my smoke was gone. I have since turned my EZ back up (had smoke problem with old sensor) and have been riding that ride with a smile.



Point being, cleaning it isn't gonna cut it. You need to test it. You've already taken the thing out, might as well test it while you got it out.

 

[curatchko]

Okay... ... question of the year, How do you test it???

 

[DEZLPWR]

Since the sensor is only $18, I am just going to replace mine every 30,000mi or so... Overkill?? Maybe, but since it is so cheap to replace, to me it's not worth it to buy an ohm meter (not sure what they cost)and dink around testing it.



Just my $. 02.....

 

[WTBurke]

A decent VOM is about $39. 00 try to get one with the most isolation at least 20 meg-ohms per volt. Most come with a simple instruction booklet with examples. Flukes are the best but Radio Shack has several that are very good for basic automotive trouble shooting.

Don't leave home without it



William