03/02/2021 MicroSquirt® Introduction

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Intake Air Temperature Sensor

Your MicroSquirt® controller uses an intake air temperature sensor to help determine the density of the intake air. The
intake air temperature sensor must be a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor. This means that it is a
resistor whose resistance decreases as its temperature goes up.

Before electronic fuel injection, the temperature sensors were used mostly to drive gauges or 'idiot lights', rather than
control the engine. In addition, these gauges were highly damped, and electrical noise in the signal was not a problem.
As a result, many non-EFI vehicles have 'one-wire' temperature sensors, and ground the sensor through the engine
block. However, when EFI came along (in the mid 1980s) temperature sensors were used to determine the
instantaneous fuelling and spark advance in some cases, and reducing noise became essential. The manufacturer's
solution was 'two-wires' sensors that use a dedicated ground return to the ECU (instead of the much more noisy high
current ground). MicroSquirt® controllers adopt a similar scheme.

Naturally aspirated engines can use the same sensors for coolant and air temperature. These sensors are inexpensive
(roughly $18 US) GM units readily available from any parts store (GM part number 12146312, may have been
replaced by #15326386). They have a ¾" hex.

Turbocharged or supercharged engines should use an open-element air temperature sensor for a faster response time.
Here are some reported part number equivalents for both the coolant and air temperature sensors (verify before
ordering):

Coolant temperature sensor (CLT) Air temperature sensor (IAT)

GM #12146312
GM #25036751
(may have been replaced by #15326386)
Standard AX1
Standard TX3
GP SORENSEN 779-19001
GP SORENSEN TSU81
AC DELCO 213-190
AC DELCO 213-928
NIEHOFF IGNITION TS83631 was DR-136W
NIEHOFF DR134AK
WELLS SU107 MSD 2320 (includes connector)
WELLS SU109 MSD 2310 (includes connector)

Connector Pigtail (CLT) Connector Pigtail (IAT)

(mushroom key way) (square key way)

Wells PN 235
Wells PN 254
NAPA PN ECHTSC300
NAPA PN ECHTSC200
Niehoff PN PS77421 (~$15)
Conductite/Dorman 85100
Conductite/Dorman PN 85110
(~$10 @ Autozone (PN 047131))
(~$12 @ Kragen partsamerica.com)

The coolant temperature sensors were apparently found in the following applications:

ALL GENERAL MOTORS (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, GMC) 81-96
HONDA TRUCK 94-96
ISUZU TRUCK 92-96

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JEEP 82-87

Note: A few early installations using the open-cage MAT sensor experienced vibration induced failure of the sensor. The
thermistor bulb is supported only by two thin wire legs. These can apparently fatigue and break when installed in high
vibration environments, such as occurs when you screw it directly into an intake manifold. Several people solved the
problem by "potting" the legs of the thermistor with O2-sensor-safe silicone (most silicone sealer/adhesives destroy O2
sensors, so pay attention!), squeezing it down inside the sensor body but leaving the bulb exposed.

Note that these sensors have different connectors. The coolant temperature sensor uses a “mushroom” shaped key way
where it inserts into the sensors, while the open element intake air temperature sensor uses a “rectangular” connector
key way.

The resistance curves for the MicroSquirt®/General Motors coolant and air temperature sensors, as well as various part
number cross-references, are listed below:

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GM Temperature Sensor Resistance

Degrees F Degrees C Ohms

-40º -40 100,700

0º -18 25,000

20º -7 13,500

40º 4 7,500

70º 21 3,400

100º 38 1,800

160º 71 450

210º 99 185

The thread for the recommended General Motors (and equivalent replacement) coolant and air temperature sensors for
the MicroSquirt® controller is 3/8 inch National Pipe Taper [NPT] thread. A 9/16 inch pilot hole is required for the tap.
Recall that pipe sizes are based on nominal inside diameters, not outside diameters as for standard National Coarse
[NC] and National Fine [NF] threads. The sensors are designed to be tightened to 20 N-m (15 lb·ft).

Approximate sizes

Nominal Pipe Size Approx. Outside

Drill Size
- actual ID is slightly bigger Thread Diameter

1/8" 3/8" 5/16"

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1/4" 1/2" 7/16"

3/8" 5/8" 9/16"

These sensors were been used on practically all GM cars in the 1980s and are easy to find - the same is true for the
correct connectors. However, other sensors can be used if you use TunerStudioMS to recalibrate your MicroSquirt® EFI
controller.

Calibration:

If your are using a sensor from General Motors, you can use the default calibration, and don't need to do any
calibration of your sensor.

However, if you are using another type of sensor, you will have to calibrate your MicroSquirt® controller to read it
correctly. If you are lucky, you may have one of the sensors already programmed into TunerStudioMS.

If your sensor is not in TunerStudioMS's list, then you will need three temperature/resistance pairs (i.e. the resistance
of the sensor at three different temperatures). Ideally these temperatures will span the operating range. You can get
these from a factory service manual, or you can measure them yourself, by using ice water for 32°F/0°C, boiling water
for 212°F/100°C, and room temperature for a middle point; and measure the resistance of the sensor at each of these
temperatures using a digital multi-meter.

Then you need to open TunerStudioMS, and under 'Tools→Calibrate Thermistor Tables' specify the Air Temperature
Sensor, then either select your sensor or enter the temperature/resistance pairs. In the dialog for calibrating the
thermistors, specify 2490 Ohms for the bias resistor value. Then click the 'Write to Controller' button to burn the table.
The table will stay in your MicroSquirt® controller's memory until you reburn it, or load new code.

Note that this sensor's calibration is NOT retained in the MSQ when you load new code and restore your settings by
loading a previous MSQ file. You must recalibrate this and other sensors.

If you have any questions or problems that can't be answered from the links above, or a search the MicroSquirt®
manual:
Enter search terms here Search ,

you can ask questions at the MicroSquirt® support forum which is at: www.microsquirt.com Click the links for more
information.

Last Updated: 02/03/2021 12:39:00

MegaSquirt® and MicroSquirt® controllers are experimental devices intended for educational purposes.
MegaSquirt® and MicroSquirt® controllers are not for sale or use on pollution controlled vehicles. Check the laws that apply in your locality to
determine if using a MicroSquirt® or MicroSquirt® controller is legal for your application.

©2011 Bruce Bowling and Al Grippo. All rights reserved. MegaSquirt® and MicroSquirt® are registered trademarks. This document is solely for
the support of V3 MicroSquirt® boards from Bowling and Grippo.

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