Engine Controls and Fuel - 4.6L - Introduction: Overview Cadillac STS I facelift

Description

The engine control module (ECM) learns the idle position of the throttle plate to ensure the correct idle. The learned airflow values are stored within the ECM. These values are learned to adjust for production variation and will continuously learn during the life of the vehicle to compensate for reduced airflow due to coking. Anytime the throttle body airflow rate changes, for example due to cleaning or replacing, the values must be relearned.

A vehicle that had a heavily coked throttle body that has been cleaned or replaced may take several drive cycles to learn out the coking. To accelerate the process, the scan tool has the ability to reset all learned values back to zero. A new ECM will also have values set to zero.

The idle may be unstable or a DTC may set if the learned values do not match the actual airflow.

Spark Plug Operation

Worn or dirty spark plugs may operate well at idle speeds, but frequently fail at higher load. Bad spark plugs are often responsible for the following conditions

1. Power loss
2. Poor fuel economy
3. Loss of speed
4. Hard starting
5. Poor engine performance

Normal spark plug operation results in brown to grayish tan deposits on the area of the spark plug that enters the cylinder. A small amount of reddish brown, yellow, and white powdery residue may also be present on the insulator tip around the center electrode. These deposits are normal combustion by-products of fuels and lubricating oils which contain additives.

Misfiring is a general term that applies to a poor running engine. With misfiring, the ignition spark is not igniting the air/fuel mixture at the proper time. While other possible causes must be investigated, the spark plugs should be inspected first. Spark voltage should not reach ground before jumping across the gap at the tip of the spark plug. This leaves the air/fuel mixture unburned, causing misfiring. Pre-ignition misfiring occurs when the spark plug tip overheats, igniting the mixture before the spark jumps.

Carbon fouling of the spark plug is indicated by dry carbon deposits on the portion of the spark plug inside of the cylinder. Excess idling and driving at slower speeds under light engine loads can keep the spark plug temperatures so low that these deposits are not burned off. Rich fuels or poor ignition system output may also cause carbon fouling.

Oil fouling of the spark plug appears as wet oily deposits on the portion of the spark plug inside of the cylinder. This may be caused by the following conditions

1. Oil getting past worn piston rings
2. Breaking in a new or recently overhauled engine

Deposit fouling of the spark plug occurs when the normal reddish brown, yellow, or white deposits of combustion by-products become sufficient enough to cause misfiring. In some cases, these deposits melt and form a shiny glaze on the insulator around the center electrode. If the fouling is found only in one or two of the cylinders, valve stem clearances or the intake valve seals may be allowing excess lubricating oil to enter the cylinder, particularly if the deposits are heavier on the intake valve side of the spark plug.

Excess gap means that the air space between the center and side electrodes at the bottom of the spark plug is too wide for consistent firing. This may be due to improper gap adjustment or to excess wear of the electrodes during use. A gap that is too small may cause idling instability. Excess gap wear might indicate vehicle operation at continual high speeds or with high engine loads. This causes the spark plugs to run too hot. Excessively lean fuel may also cause the wear.

Improper torque or seating can cause a spark plug to run hot, eventually leading to excess gap wear. In extreme cases, an overtightened or under-tightened spark plug can cause exhaust blow-by. The cylinder head seats must make good contact for sufficient heat transfer and spark plug cooling. Dirty or damaged threads in the head or on the spark plug can keep the spark plug from seating even though the proper torque is applied. Once the spark plugs are properly seated, tighten the spark plugs properly.

Cracked or broken insulators and insulator tips may be the result of improper installation or heat shock. Heat shock is a rapid increase in the insulator tip temperature which causes the insulator material to crack. The upper insulators can be broken when a poorly-fitting tool is used during servicing, or when the spark plug is hit from the outside. Cracks in the upper insulator may be inside the shell or invisible. The breakage may not cause problems until oil or water penetrates the crack later. Heat shock breakage in the lower insulator tip generally occurs during severe engine operating conditions such as higher RPM or heavy loading. Over advanced timing or low grade fuels may also cause heat shock breakage. Always replace spark plugs with broken or cracked insulators.

Damage during gapping can occur when the tool is pushed against the center electrode or the surrounding insulator, causing the insulator to crack. When gapping a spark plug, bend only the outside electrode. Keep tools free of any other parts.

Spark plugs with less than the recommended amount of service can sometimes be cleaned and regapped, then returned to service. If there is any doubt about the serviceability of a spark plug, replace the spark plug.

Engine Control Module Description

The engine control module (ECM) interacts with many emission related components and systems, and monitors the emission related components and systems for deterioration. OBD II diagnostics monitor the system performance and a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) sets if the system performance degrades.

The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) operation and the DTC storage are dictated by the DTC type. A DTC is ranked as a Type A or Type B if the DTC is emissions related. Type C is a non-emissions related DTC.

The ECM is in the engine compartment. The ECM is the control center of the engine controls system. The ECM controls the following components

1. The fuel injection system
2. The ignition system
3. The emission control systems
4. The on-board diagnostics
5. The A/C and fan systems
6. The throttle actuation control (TAC) system

The ECM constantly monitors the information from various sensors and other inputs, and controls the systems that affect the vehicle performance and the emissions. The ECM also performs diagnostic tests on various parts of the system. The ECM can recognize operational problems and alert the driver via the MIL. When the ECM detects a malfunction, the ECM stores a DTC. The condition area is identified by the particular DTC that is set. This aids the technician in making repairs.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Operation

The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is located in the instrument panel cluster. The MIL will display as either SERVICE ENGINE SOON or one of the following symbols when commanded ON

Scheme 68

Scheme 69

The MIL indicates that an emissions related fault has occurred and vehicle service is required.

The following is a list of the modes of operation for the MIL

1. The MIL illuminates when the ignition is turned ON, with the engine OFF. This is a bulb test to ensure the MIL is able to illuminate.
2. The MIL turns OFF after the engine is started if a diagnostic fault is not present.
3. The MIL remains illuminated after the engine is started if the control module detects a fault. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored any time the control module illuminates the MIL due to an emissions related fault. The MIL turns OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles in which a Test Passed has been reported for the diagnostic test that originally caused the MIL to illuminate.
4. The MIL flashes if the control module detects a misfire condition which could damage the catalytic converter.
5. When the MIL is illuminated and the engine stalls, the MIL will remain illuminated as long as the ignition is ON.
6. When the MIL is not illuminated and the engine stalls, the MIL will not illuminate until the ignition is cycled OFF and then ON.

Camshaft Actuator System Description

The camshaft position (CMP) actuator system is used for a variety of engine performance enhancements. The CMP actuator system accomplishes this by controlling the amount of intake and exhaust valve overlap. These enhancements include the following

1. Lower emission output through exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control
2. A wider engine torque range
3. Improved gas mileage
4. Improved engine idle stability

The CMP actuator system is comprised of the following components

1. Four CMP actuator solenoids
2. Four oil control valves
3. Four vane style CMP actuators
4. Four CMP sensors

The CMP actuator system requires a very complex electrical signal from the engine control module (ECM) in order to control the position of the CMP actuators. The electrical signal requires use of an un-fixed pulse width modulation (PWM) signal as well as 2 different operating frequencies of 150 and 500 Hz. Changes in the PWM can happen every 100 milliseconds and thus makes it difficult to measure the correct PWM or frequency with a DMM during CMP actuator control. At idle, the ECM commands a consistent 7 percent duty cycle at 150 Hz. The ECM uses this signal in order to sense certain circuit failures.

Scheme 70

The CMP actuator solenoids, or electromagnets, are located on the front of the engine and are mounted to their corresponding bank CMP actuator housing.

The oil control valves are threaded, and attach the CMP actuators to the front of the camshafts. The oil control valve meters the oil flow to the CMP actuator through the advancing and retarding oil ports. With no command fro the ECM, all of the oil is ported to the advancing chambers of the exhaust CMP actuators and to the retarding chambers of the intake CMP actuators. With full command from the ECM, all of the oil is ported to the retarding chambers of the exhaust CMP actuators and to the advancing chambers of the intake CMP actuators. When the intake or exhaust camshafts reach a desired position, above 0 degrees on the scan tool, the ECM will apply an electrical signal to the solenoids in order to hold the CMP actuators in the desired position. The oil control valves will port engine oil evenly to the advancing and retarding chambers of the CMP actuators in order to hold the camshafts in the desired position. The oil control valves will allow enough engine oil to flow to compensate for any leakage past the CMP actuators in order to hold the camshafts in a steady position.

The CMP actuators interface the timing chain to the camshafts, and are able to change the camshaft timing in relation to the crankshaft. The intake CMP actuators have the ability to move the intake camshafts a total of 40 degrees from the parked position. The exhaust CMP actuators have the ability to move the exhaust camshafts a total of 50 degrees from the parked position. With the engine OFF or with the CMP actuators not commanded, the exhaust CMP actuators are parked at the full advance position of 133 degrees ATDC and the intake CMP actuators are parked at the full retard position of 117 degrees before top dead center (BTDC). The CMP Angle parameters on the scan tool will indicate 0 degrees with the engine running and the CMP actuators in the parked position for both exhaust and intake camshafts.

A locking pin keeps the CMP actuators in the parked position in order to avoid valve train noise upon engine start-up. The locking pin will release the actuator after the engine oil pressure is sufficient to overcome the locking pin spring pressure. The exhaust CMP actuators have return springs. The return springs are necessary to assist the CMP actuators to return to the parked position due to the rotational inertia of the valve train components upon engine shutdown.

An oil outlet tube is used to transfer oil from a dedicated oil galley in the engine block, from the replaceable oil filter, up to each head and is located in the timing chain area. The oil outlet tube incorporates a non-replaceable 40 micron oil filter. If the filter becomes clogged with contamination and can not be cleaned, the tube and filter must be replaced as an assembly. Engine oil pressure, level, viscosity, and temperature can have an adverse affect on the CMP actuator performance.

The CMP sensors are used by the ECM to monitor the position of the camshafts. The intake cam sensor wheels have 4X targets. The exhaust cam sensor wheels have a 4X target. The ECM can detect a camshaft position variance as small as 4 degrees. The variance is the difference between the actual camshaft position and the desired camshaft position. A CMP actuator performance DTC will set if the ECM detects the camshaft position has a 4 degree to 11 degree variance. A 4 degree variance takes more time for the ECM to detect than an 11 degree variance. A crankshaft to camshaft correlation DTC will set if the ECM detects a 12 degree variance or more.

If a CMP actuator system DTC is present, the ECM will disable the CMP actuator system control for that ignition cycle.

CMP Actuator System Operation

The engine control module (ECM) sends an electrical signal to the camshaft position (CMP) actuator solenoids through the control circuits when a camshaft timing change is desired. The ground circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid is used as a return. The CMP actuator solenoid uses electromagnetic force to pull on the plunger of the oil control valve. The oil control valve will port the pressurized engine oil to either the advancing or retarding chambers of the CMP actuator. The CMP actuator, in turn, changes the camshaft position relative to crankshaft position. The ECM uses the CMP sensors to determine the position of the camshafts.

The ECM calculates the optimum CMP through the following inputs

1. Engine speed
2. Throttle position indicated angle
3. Crankshaft position (CKP)
4. CMP
5. Engine load
6. Barometric pressure (BARO)
7. Intake air temperature (IAT)

The ECM monitors the following inputs before assuming control of the CMP actuator system

1. Engine coolant temperature (ECT)
2. Loop status
3. Calculated engine oil temperature (EOT)
4. Engine oil pressure (EOP)
5. Engine oil level
6. Crankshaft/camshaft correlation
7. Ignition 1 signal voltage
8. Barometric pressure (BARO)

EVAP System Operation

The evaporative emission (EVAP) control system limits fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. Fuel tank vapors are allowed to move from the fuel tank, due to pressure in the tank, through the vapor pipe, into the EVAP canister. Carbon in the canister absorbs and stores the fuel vapors. Excess pressure is vented through the vent line and EVAP vent solenoid valve to the atmosphere. The EVAP canister stores the fuel vapors until the engine is able to use them. At an appropriate time, the control module will command the EVAP purge solenoid valve ON, allowing engine vacuum to be applied to the EVAP canister. With the EVAP vent solenoid valve OFF, fresh air is drawn through the vent solenoid valve and the vent line to the EVAP canister. Fresh air is drawn through the canister, pulling fuel vapors from the carbon. The air/fuel vapor mixture continues through the EVAP purge pipe and EVAP purge solenoid valve into the intake manifold to be consumed during normal combustion. The control module uses several tests to determine if the EVAP system is leaking.

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Operation

The electronic ignition (EI) system produces and controls the high energy secondary spark. This spark ignites the compressed air/fuel mixture at precisely the correct time, providing optimal performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust emissions. The engine control module (ECM) primarily collects information from the crankshaft position (CKP) and camshaft position (CMP) sensors to control the sequence, dwell, and timing of the spark.