Electronic control apparatus for internal combustion engine

Claim 1

In an electronic control apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which a quantity of intake air fed to engine cylinders is detected by processing an output signal produced by an air flow sensor incorporating a heat generating element and an optimal quantity of fuel corresponding to the detected intake air quantity is supplied to the internal combustion engine, wherein said air flow sensor will produce output signals which do not accurately correspond to the actual intake air quantity when said heat generating element has a temperature below a predetermined minimum operating temperature, a correction arrangement comprising: first detecting means for detecting that a predetermined time has elapsed from a time point at which a switch of said internal combustion engine is closed to electrically energize said heat generating element until a time point at which said heat generating element is heated to reach said predetermined minimum operating temperature; and control means for controlling the optimal quantity of fuel supplied to said internal combustion engine in dependence on another control factor without making use of said output signal produced from said air flow sensor incorporating said heat generating element until said first detecting means detects that said predetermined time has elapsed regardless of whether said engine has started or not.