Caravan IAT Sensor Fix: Expert Tips & Repair Costs

I had a similar issue with my 2015 Dodge Journey diesel last winter. With some experience working on cars, I recognized those exact symptoms, rough running, reduced power and the check engine light, all pointing to air temperature sensor problems. The IAT sensor was indeed the cause. These temperature sensors are critical for the engine management system to properly calculate air-fuel mixture. When the air sensor fails, it sends incorrect readings about intake air temperature to the computer. My repair involved: Full diagnostic scan, Removal and testing of the IAT sensor, Replacement with new OEM sensor, Clearing fault codes, Test drive to confirm fix Total cost was 155€ including parts and labor. The car has run perfectly since the repair. Before giving more specific advice about your situation, could you share: Current mileage, Whether you notice the issues more during cold or warm weather, If you have access to a diagnostic scanner to check exact error codes, Any recent work done on the intake system The IAT sensor issues are fairly common on these Dodge engines, but its best to confirm with proper diagnostics rather than just replacing parts.

Thanks for the detailed response. My current mileage is 133203 KM with the last service completed 3 months ago. The engine issues are definitely more noticeable during colder weather. The rough running and power loss seem worse during morning starts. I noticed the IAT sensor problems began after a particularly cold spell. I have a basic scanner that shows error code P0113, which confirms the intake air temperature sensor circuit is running high. Since the symptoms match what you described and the error code points to the air sensor, I feel more confident about pursuing this repair path. Good to know the cost was reasonable at 155€. Based on your experience, I will schedule an appointment to have the IAT sensor replaced.

Your situation definitely mirrors my experience with the Dodge Journey. After replacing the IAT sensor on mine, those cold-weather starts improved dramatically. The P0113 code you mentioned is exactly what my diagnostic tool showed too. Since your mileage is close to what mine was when the sensor failed (I was at about 128000 KM), this seems like a common failure point for these engines. The cold weather correlation makes perfect sense, a faulty air temperature sensor struggles most when ambient temperatures are low. Quick tip from my repair experience: When the shop replaces the sensor, ask them to inspect the wiring harness connector too. Mine had some corrosion that needed cleaning for the new sensor to work properly. This extra check prevented potential issues later. The 155€ I mentioned included this inspection, most shops should do this as standard practice when dealing with car sensor issues. After the fix, I noticed immediate improvement in cold starts, engine performance returned to normal, and the check engine light cleared permanently. For peace of mind, keep your diagnostic tool handy for a few weeks after the repair. I monitored mine for a month after replacement, and the engine issues never returned.

Thanks everyone for the helpful information. After comparing my symptoms with your experiences and confirming the P0113 error code, I feel confident moving forward with the IAT sensor replacement. The correlation between cold weather starts and increased engine issues, combined with the similar mileage point where the sensor failed on your vehicle, makes a strong case. I appreciate the tip about checking the wiring harness connector for corrosion during the repair. I will schedule the car diagnostics work this week. The 155€ price point seems reasonable for parts and labor. I will ask them to thoroughly inspect the intake air system and wiring while they have it apart. Will keep my scanner ready to monitor things after the repair. Hoping to see the same improvements you experienced, better cold starts, normal engine performance, and no more check engine light. Thanks again for helping confirm my diagnosis of the air temperature sensor problem.