Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for electronically controlling (open loop and/or closed loop) an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. By means of at least one measuring unit at least one signal is generated representing the position of a power-determining component and the measuring unit comprises several sensors. The measuring unit is associated with a power-determining component of the vehicle such as a throttle flap or the control rod and/or accelerator pedal. The sensors are checked with respect to their functional capability by comparing the signal values generated by the sensors to each other with respect to a pregiven tolerance range. When a fault of one or more of the sensors is detected, then that sensor or those sensors which is or are unaffected can be determined.

Abstract: In a supervisory system (FIG. 7) for the accelerator pedal transducer (26) in an electronic engine control (EMS) for a vehicle engine, the output signal (U-FFG) of the transducer (26) is interpreted to show whether or not the transducer is at or close to the idling position. The resulting information is compared with the states of idling and pressure switches (18, 28) which shows whether or not the accelerator pedal (30) is actually at or close to its idling position. A contradiction resulting from this comparison indicates a fault and remedial action can be taken by the EMS, for example, to reduce the engine power to a precautionary value. A contradiction between other comparisons shows that one of the switches (18, 28) is faulty. In the event of the accelerator pedal sticking in a depressed position after the driver has lifted his foot and depressed the brake (FIG. 5) a brake signal (BS) can be passed through a gating circuit controlled by the idling switch signal (FFG-LL) to produce a reaction signal(RS).