this maybe the dumbest question you guys have ever heard and sorry to waste your time, but I always thought the sensor that is located in your intake tubing right after the filter was called the IAT (Intake Air Temp..right?) sensor. Mine had broken so when I called pepboys for a replacement he said the onyl thing they had was an IAC (Intake Air Charge) sensor. I looked at my old one and the new one and it was identical.
I just want to know whats the difference if there is any, and why there is two names?

 

I don't think pepboys should be the standard for part nomenclature. GM refers to it as an "Intake Air Temp". IAC has already been given to "Idle Air Control". I wouldn't sweat it, as long as you got the right part!

 

Ok. I just wanted to make sure they werent two different things that looked identical so that they could be interchanged by mistake and screw things up.

 

Some places refure to it as a MAT (manifold air tempeture). But thats usually when it is located in the manifold, not the air intake path. They both do the "same thing" just in different places.

 

The auto stores aren't like they used to be, I actually had a guy look at me and say "Valve spring?", and proceeded to look under suspension parts.

 

I hate sensors. I really do.

 

Thats just sad.

dude so do i

 

I love them tell I have to replace them.