METHOD FOR DETECTING MALFUNCTIONING IN A SENSOR
The invention relates to a method for detecting malfunctioning in a sensor which detects a measured variable. A signal range check is carried out for the output signal of the sensor when the measured variable is situated within a permissible range. Said check is not carried out, however, the output signal is used for detecting the measured variable and for further calculation when the measured variable is situated outside said permissible range. The sensor is a hot film air mass sensor (HFM) in a motor for instance. In this case, the measured variable is the intake air mass and the signal range check is only carried out when the operating state of the motor and thus the intake air mass fulfil conditions that can be pre-determined. In addition to the signal range check, onboard diagnoses are carried out with regard to plausibility criteria. Said diagnoses relate to the offset drift and/or the sensitivity drift of the sensor.