Detection of short circuits in the connections to a combustion engine knocking sensor by application of reference voltages to the sensor connectors, so that incorrect knocking control and engine damage are avoided

摘要

Method for detecting a short circuit of the signal conductors of a sensor, especially the knocking sensor (KS) of a combustion engine, has the following steps: application of a static reference voltage (URef) to each signal line (L1, L2); measurement of the resulting static voltage on each line; and indication of a short circuit when the measured static potential lies outside a preset range. An Independent claim is made for a device for detecting a short circuit in the connectors to a knocking sensor comprising a reference potential generator, a measurement circuit and a comparison circuit (AW).