Method for evaluating the condition of a particulate sensor

An operating process for a combustion engine (10) that determines the loading of soot particles in the exhaust comprises measuring the conductance between electrodes in a particle sensor (16) in the exhaust gas stream (12) and periodically heating the sensor to regenerate while measuring conductance to evaluate the condition of the sensor. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a combustion engine comprising the above, especially for a motor vehicle; (B) a control unit for the above; (C) an electrical memory for the above;and (D) a computer program for the above.