How to Replace a '97 Dodge Ram's Air Temperature Sensor

Dodge sold its first truck back in 1917, but its most recognizable name, Ram, did not arrive until the 1981 model year. In 1994, Dodge completely redesigned its Ram lineup, dropping the classic pickup look in favor of a big rig look, which was a huge success. The 1997 Ram 1500, still bearing this rig-like look, came standard with a 175-horsepower, 3.9-liter V-6 engine. The intake air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air as it enters the intake manifold and delivers this information to the powertrain control module in the form of a voltage draw. The PCM then uses this information to adjust the fuel and ignition system, as needed.

Instructions

1

Slide the air inlet tube, the tube connected to the passengers side of the air cleaner, toward the passengers side of the engine compartment to free it from the air cleaner housing, then remove the inlet tube.

2

Loosen the hose clamp securing the air cleaner housing to the top of the throttle body, using a flat-head screwdriver.

3

Find the breather hose, the small rubber vacuum hose, on the rear of the air cleaner housing. Pull the breather hose from the rear of the air cleaner housing. Lift the entire air cleaner housing upward and off the throttle body. Notice that a stud on the intake manifold secures the front of the air cleaner, by inserting into a grommet on the front of the air cleaner housing. Set the air cleaner housing in a secure location.

4

Look under the throttle body bracket, the bracket that comes off the throttle body and secures the accelerator cable, and find the intake air temperature sensor, which is screwed into the intake manifold.

5

Lift upward on the locking tab on the IAT sensors wiring harness with your finger or a small flat-head screwdriver and unplug the wiring harness. Remove the IAT sensor from the intake manifold with a ratchet and socket.

6

Thread a new IAT sensor into the intake manifold and tighten it to 20 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket. Plug the wiring harness into the IAT sensor.

7

Simultaneously align the large hole in the rear of the air cleaner housing with the inlet on the throttle body, and the grommet on the front of the air cleaner housing with the stud protruding from the intake manifold. Press downward on the air cleaner housing to seat it into place.

8

Tighten the hose clamp that secures the air cleaner housing to the throttle body, using a flat-head screwdriver. Plug the breather hose into its inlet on the air cleaner housing. Slide the air inlet tube onto the inlet on the passengers side of the air cleaner housing.