A tester tool for a sensor and related method includes connecting the sensor to the tester tool, activating the tester tool to operate the sensor, and testing the sensor. The tester tool includes a power supply, a control module, a display module and a connector plug adapted for releasable connection with a sensor connector plug, the connector plug being connected to the power supply for receiving power to operate the sensor, and to the control module for providing information to the control module from the sensor. The display module provides information to a user indicative of operation of the sensor when the sensor is active and receives power to operate from the power supply.

A control device of an exhaust sensor comprises a heater control part configured to set a target temperature of an electrochemical cell and control a heater so that a temperature of the electrochemical cell becomes the target temperature, and a judging part configured to judge whether a water repellency of a protective layer is falling when the heater control part sets the target temperature to a temperature of a lowest temperature at which a Leidenfrost phenomenon occurs at an outer surface of the protective layer or more. The heater control part is configured to rise the target temperature when the judging part judges that the water repellency of the protective layer is falling.

With respect to a vehicle mass air-flow sensor that includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a sensor element of the mass air-flow sensor, a method for controlling a heating element for heating the sensor element of a mass air-flow sensor includes identifying a dew formation on the sensor element by evaluating a temperature profile that is recorded during an operation of the vehicle using the temperature sensor, and generating a switch-on signal for switching on the heating element in response to the identification of the dew formation.

Various embodiments may include a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a wastegate turbocharger comprising: measuring an intake pipe pressure; determining a cylinder air mass from the pressure; injecting an amount of fuel into a cylinder of the internal combustion engine based on the air mass; determining and a plausible intake pipe pressure gradient for a current engine operating point; calculating a gradient of the measured intake pipe pressure during a full-load acceleration; comparing the stored plausible intake pipe pressure gradient to the calculated gradient; identifying manipulation of the intake pipe pressure sensor if the difference between the stored plausible intake pipe pressure gradient and the calculated gradient exceeds a selected threshold value; and limiting a power output of the engine if manipulation is identified.

An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

An internal combustion engine includes on-off valves that configure a closed space by closing an internal space of a breather line, a pump that depressurizes or pressurizes the closed space, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the closed space, and an abnormality assessment element that assesses abnormality of the breather line. The abnormality assessment element assesses abnormality of the breather line based on a pressure change of the closed space in a case where the closed space is depressurized or pressurized by the pump.

Embodiments, systems, and methods for error detection in crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, an error module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The error module detects an error associated with a tooth of the crank pulse wheel and calculates a revised buffer value based on the error. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the revised buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting heater power of an oxygen sensor. In one example, a method for an engine includes adjusting heater power of a heating element of the oxygen sensor when the heater power increases by a threshold amount. The method includes subsequently increasing heater power back to a baseline power level responsive to a temperature of the heating element.

Various embodiments include a method comprising: moving a piston toward TDC in successive pump cycles; during the movement, closing an inlet valve by applying current to an electromagnet; generating a pressure signal downstream of the outlet; applying a measurement current to the electromagnet when the inlet valve is closed; while the piston moves away from TDC, detecting an opening position at which an opening movement of the inlet valve begins on the basis of a predetermined change with respect to time of the measurement current; checking whether a value sequence of the ascertained opening positions over multiple pump cycles satisfies a predetermined discrepancy criterion with regard to the sensor signal; and if the discrepancy criterion is satisfied, generating a fault signal relating to the pressure sensor.

A control apparatus is provided for controlling an exhaust gas sensor. The exhaust gas sensor includes a first cell, a second cell configured to output electric current depending on the concentration of a measurement target component in exhaust gas from which oxygen has been removed by the first cell, and a heater configured to heat the first and second cells. The control apparatus includes a heater controlling unit, a current detecting unit configured to detect the electric current outputted from the second cell, and a deterioration determining unit. The deterioration determining unit causes the heater controlling unit to change output of the heater and thereby changes the temperature of the first cell. During the change in the output of the heater, the deterioration determining unit determines, based on an amount of change in the electric current detected by the current detecting unit, whether or not the second cell is deteriorated.