Particulate matter sensor diagnostic system and method

A diagnostic module for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor in a vehicle, the diagnostic module comprising:

• a sensor mode selection module that selects a protective heating mode and a regeneration mode, wherein the regeneration mode regenerates the particulate matter sensor;
• a heater power detector that determines a protective voltage output of the particulate matter sensor in response to the selected mode being the protective heating mode and a regeneration voltage output of the particulate matter sensor in response to the selected mode being the regeneration mode;
• and
• a diagnostic module that performs a diagnostic of the particulate matter sensor,
• wherein the diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the particulate matter sensor in response to the protective voltage output being less than a protective power threshold and the regeneration voltage output being less than a regeneration power threshold, and selectively diagnoses the particulate matter sensor as normal in response to either the protective voltage output being greater than the protective power threshold or the regeneration voltage output being greater than the regeneration power threshold.