P0112: Intake air temperature sensor circuit low
The ECU sees a voltage that is too low from the intake air temperature sensor, as if the air were very hot. Usually an electrical fault.
| Code | P0112 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P01xx, Air and fuel metering |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Yes, no rush |
What P0112 means
This sensor changes its resistance with temperature: the hotter the air, the lower the voltage reaching the ECU. A voltage below what is possible makes it read an absurdly high temperature. It is almost always a signal wire touching earth or a sensor shorted internally.
Most common causes
- Sensor signal wire chafed and touching earth
- Moisture in the connector bridging the pins
- Sensor shorted internally
- Crushed or burnt wiring loom
- Rarely, the ECU
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Harder cold starting
- Slight loss of power
- Possible rise in fuel consumption
Can you drive with P0112?
Yes, no rush The engine usually runs almost normally on a backup value. You can keep driving and fix it when convenient.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the engine cold, check intake air temperature in live data: if it shows an impossibly high value, unplug the connector with the ignition off and look again. If the reading jumps to a very low value, the wiring is fine and the sensor is shorted.
How to read and clear P0112 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0112 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P010E The circuit signal from MAF or VAF meter B is intermittent or erratic
- P010F Readings from the MAF air mass meter and VAF meter A or B do not agree
- P0110 Intake air temperature sensor circuit fault
- P0111 Intake air temperature sensor range or performance
- P0113 Intake air temperature sensor circuit high
- P0114 Intake air temperature sensor circuit intermittent
- P0115 Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit fault
- P0116 Engine coolant temperature sensor range or performance
- P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
- P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
- P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
- P0103 Air flow sensor circuit high input
What does code P0112 mean?
This sensor changes its resistance with temperature: the hotter the air, the lower the voltage reaching the ECU. A voltage below what is possible makes it read an absurdly high temperature. It is almost always a signal wire touching earth or a sensor shorted internally.
Can you drive with P0112?
The engine usually runs almost normally on a backup value. You can keep driving and fix it when convenient.
How do you clear P0112?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0112 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
