Method of treating or identifying faults in an exterior temperature sensor of a vehicle based on temperature gradient

摘要

The method involves determining a temperature gradient from the temporal cycle of the measured temperatures. The gradient is compared with a predetermined threshold gradient and faults are determined based on the comparison. A first fault is identified if the gradient is positive and greater than the threshold. A second fault is identified if the gradient is negative and greater than the threshold. A differentiation is made between two different faults or groups of faults according to the sign of the gradient. Independent claims also cover apparatus for diagnosing a temperature sensor.