A work apparatus has an internal combustion engine and a starter device for starting the engine. Within a housing of the work apparatus, a first electrical component is arranged at a first location and a second electrical component is arranged at a second location. A control unit is provided which is connected to the first electrical component and to the second electrical component. The control unit detects a first temperature-dependent value of the first electrical component at the first location, and a second temperature-dependent value of the second electrical component at the second location, and identifies the starting conditions as a function of these values. The first electrical component is a first actuator and the second electrical component is a second actuator or a sensor.

Methods and systems are provided for ambient temperature estimation and engine control during sensor initialization. In one example, on vehicle start-up after a period of inactivity, during sensor initialization ambient conditions may be estimated using remotely obtained ambient conditions data. Engine actuators may be adjusted based on ambient conditions determined from remote of the vehicle during sensor initialization and on completion of sensor initialization, the engine actuator may be adjusted based on the ambient conditions determined from the sensor.

A method for detecting a failure of a charge air cooler placed in an air supply circuit of an engine, the circuit including an air filter and a compressor. The method is performed continuously and repeatedly. The method includes: determining temperature Tair of the air between the filter and the compressor, the temperature of the air Tapc between the compressor and the cooler, and the temperature of the air Tsras between the cooler and the engine; calculating the Tapc-Tsras/Tapc-Tair ratio, which is a parameter indicative of effectiveness of the cooler; comparing the parameter against a predetermined threshold effectiveness value; and making a diagnosis as to whether the cooler is operating correctly or incorrectly, on the basis of the comparison.

An intake air flow rate into an intake passage is detected with an internal combustion engine as a control device, and atmospheric pressure and temperature are estimated or detected. An intake passage internal average pressure and an intake passage internal average temperature in a region up to a throttle valve of the intake passage as one region are estimated. Distributions of a pressure and a temperature inside the intake passage are estimated based on the estimated intake passage internal average pressure, the intake passage internal average temperature, and a model of energy change caused by a constituent element included in the intake passage.