Variable Valve Timing Actuator Position Sensor: Testing and Inspection

Variable valve lift monitoring

System design of variable valve lift at Porsche







The diagnosis of the valve lift is a plausibility check of the solenoid valves and is a continuous monitor.

Diagnosis via uneven running
In the case of a defective valve lifter, the uneven running of the concerned cylinder rises in comparison to its opposite cylinder. In order to differentiate this to a misfire, a plausibility check of the lambda controllers under partial load is performed.

schematic overview of the diagnosis:







The diagnosis is disabled at:
- power stage error of switching valves
- evaluation of uneven running is disabled

Diagnosis via lambda regulator
A defective solenoid valve will lead to a faulty function of the whole cylinder bank. The diagnosis for detecting this malfunction is performed according to the following scheme:







The monitor runs immediately after a shift to large valve lift for approximately 3 sec.
This strategy enables the diagnosis to also detect a slow shifting cylinder bank.

The diagnosis is disabled at:
- power stage error of solenoid valves
- oil temperature > threshold
- during catalyst heating +
- lambda control not active

Diagnosis via deviation of engine speed fluctuation
If both solenoid valves have a malfunction the diagnosis is performed according to the following scheme:







The monitor runs after coldstart with large valve lift during engine idle and vehicle speed at zero. A second phase of engine idle and vehicle speed at zero is needed after coldstart. In both phases the position of the camshaft has to be static.

The diagnosis is disabled at:
- power stage error of solenoid valves
- oil temperature out of limits