Method and device for checking temperature values of a temperature sensor of an internal combustion engine

1. A method for checking temperature values of a temperature sensor of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

recording a first temperature value a first predefined time period close in time to an operating state of the starting of the internal combustion engine;

checking to determine whether a cold start of the internal combustion engine is present; and

detecting an error in the first temperature value if the cold start is detected and the first temperature value is greater than a temperature threshold value,

wherein a first torque value of the internal combustion engine is determined during the first predefined time period, a second torque value of the internal combustion engine is determined during at least one second predefined time period which lies after the first predefined time period in time, and the cold start of the internal combustion engine is detected if the first torque value is greater than the second torque value by a predefined amount or a predefined factor.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second predefined time period is close in time to a terminating of the operation of the internal combustion engine.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first torque value is averaged over a third predefined time period which is temporally within the first predefined time period, or the second torque value is averaged over a fourth predefined time period which is temporally within the second predefined time period.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a second temperature value is recorded during the second predefined time period, and the cold start is detected only if the second temperature value is greater or less than the first temperature value by not more than a predefined amount or a predefined factor.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first predefined time period or a second predefined time period are in each case temporally within an idling state of operation of the internal combustion engine.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first torque value is averaged over a third predefined time period which is temporally within the first predefined time period, and the second torque value is averaged over a fourth predefined time period which is temporally within the second predefined time period.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first predefined time period and the second predefined time period are in each case temporally within an idling state of operation of the internal combustion engine.

8. A device for checking temperature values of a temperature sensor of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an element of the device for recording a first temperature value during a first predefined time period close in time to an operating state of the starting of the internal combustion engine;

an element of the device for checking whether a cold start of the internal combustion engine is present; and

an element of the device for detecting an error in the first temperature value if the cold start is detected and the first temperature value is greater than a temperature threshold value, wherein a first torque value of the internal combustion engine is determined during the first predefined time period, a second torque value of the internal combustion engine is determined during at least one second predefined time period which lies after the first predefined time period in time, and the cold start of the internal combustion engine is detected if the first torque value is greater than the second torque value by a predefined amount or a predefined factor.