METHOD OF OPERATING A HEAT PUMP OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND HEAT PUMP

A method for operating a heat pump of a motor vehicle comprising a compressor, an expander, an ambient heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger. The method comprises initiating a defrost mode for defrosting the ambient heat exchanger, wherein the defrost mode comprises the steps of: Compressing a refrigerant to a high pressure by means of the compressor, transferring thermal energy to the ambient heat exchanger, expanding the refrigerant to a low pressure by means of the expander, and absorbing thermal energy. The method is characterized by monitoring a defrosting process of the ambient heat exchanger triggered by the defrost mode, wherein the monitoring of the defrosting process comprises monitoring a pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure and/or monitoring a pressure gradient of the pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure and/or monitoring the high pressure.