Scheme 2
Theory Of Operation
Ambient Air Temperature Sensor performance looks at the outputs of three temperature sensors and compares them under cold start conditions. Following a start to run delay time, the outputs of the ambient, engine coolant, and intake air temperature sensors will be compared. If the engine coolant and intake air temperature sensors agree and the ambient air temperature does not agree, the ambient air temperature sensor is declared as irrational. If declared irrational a second comparison will be done after a short drive cycle.
Intake Air Temperature Sensor performance looks at the outputs of three temperature sensors and compares them under cold start conditions. Following a start to run delay time, the outputs of the ambient, engine coolant, and intake air temperature sensors will be compared. If the engine coolant and ambient air temperature sensors agree and the intake air temperature does not agree, the intake air temperature sensor is declared as irrational. If declared irrational a second comparison will be done after a short drive cycle.
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor performance looks at the outputs of three temperature sensors and compares them under cold start conditions. Following a start to run delay time, the outputs of the ambient, engine coolant, and intake air temperature sensors will be compared. If the intake air and ambient air temperature sensors agree and the engine coolant temperature does not agree, the engine coolant temperature sensor is declared as irrational.
The engine coolant temperature sensor is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor-type sensor whose resistance varies inversely with temperature. At cold temperatures the sensor resistance is high so the voltage is high. As the coolant temperature increases the resistance decreases and the voltage becomes low.
The engine coolant temperature sensor is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor-type sensor whose resistance varies inversely with temperature. At cold temperatures the sensor resistance is high so the voltage is high. As the coolant temperature increases the resistance decreases and the voltage becomes low. The INSUFFICIENT COOLANT TEMP FOR CLOSED-LOOP FUEL CONTROL determines if the engine coolant temperature will reach the closed loop fueling control temperature limit in a regulated time after start.
The PCM predicts what the engine coolant temperature should be, based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up, ambient temperature and how the vehicle is subsequently driven. The predicted engine coolant temperature is compared to the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor reading. The error between the two is calculated and integrated with respect to time. When the Thermostat diagnostic runs, the integrated error is compared to a calibrated threshold and pass/fail is determined. Separate pass and fail thresholds are used in order to improve accuracy of the diagnostic.