Function of air intake sensor?

[CaptCaper]

I have cold idle issue. Eractic. Goes from 2k down to 1200 or 1300 then back up. It stalled a couple of times. Once starting to get warm and all day long it runs and starts great. No codes ever. Or engine light. Been a while it's been doing it.
I was looking at this part #14 in attached picture that states it's a air intake sensor. What does it do?

 

[Srxspec]

Sets the fuel map for the ecu. The ECU uses air intake temp, barometric pressure, and manifold pressure to determine what fuel mapping it should use. I doubt the air intake temp sensor is causing your idle surge.

 

[Stubbs]

Smart money says you likely need to check the valve lash and adjust as needed. I’m thinking you’ll like find several that are tight.

 

[CaptCaper]

Sets the fuel map for the ecu. The ECU uses air intake temp, barometric pressure, and manifold pressure to determine what fuel mapping it should use. I doubt the air intake temp sensor is causing your idle surge.

thanks.. someone mentioned there is a part that has a spring in it or wax in it that will melt when warm in the case of the wax mention or the spring part somehow will effect cold idle. Do you know what part they were talking about?

 

[RobX-1]

someone mentioned there is a part that has a spring in it or wax in it that will melt when warm in the case of the wax mention or the spring part somehow will effect cold idle. Do you know what part they were talking about?

Do you mean this post I had quoted back in Dec of 2023 regarding someone having a weird cold idle issue? If so, here's the exceprt and the link to the original post.

Yes that is the thermowax, the 2 lines that hook up to it are coolant lines. When the engine is cold it allows more air to bypass the throttle plates through the IAC. As the coolant warms up the wax, it slowly closes off this extra air, then your idle adjustment screw takes over. Your throttle plates should be completely closed when at idle, If they are open slightly then your issue is either the linkage holding them open (ie) cable is tight, or the shaft that your throttle plates are attached to are starting to get stiff (usually caused by corrosion) and not allowing the plates to close. If the plates are completely closed, then the engine is getting too much air from another source such as the thermowax or cracked TB boots, gaskets or loose clamps. I am referring to the rubber ones that connect the TBs to the engine. The thermowax has been an issue with motorcycles that have the same setup. With the symptoms you are describing it sounds like the thermowax is causing it, but I would check the boots to rule that out.