Fault detection system and method for detecting a faulty temperature sensor in motor vehicles

摘要

An error detection system is provided for identifying a defective temperature sensor in motor vehicles including an internal combustion engine and at least one electronic control unit that is provided with a mechanism for detecting the immobilization time between turning off and restarting the internal combustion engine. An ambient-air temperature value determined by an ambient-air temperature sensor is compared with a coolant temperature value determined by at least one coolant temperature sensor in the electronic control unit after restarting the internal combustion engine if the detected immobilization time prior to restarting the internal combustion engine exceeds a predefined minimum time value. An error of the ambient temperature sensor is recognized when the difference between the coolant temperature value and the ambient-air temperature value is at least quantitatively greater than a given threshold value.