Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Computers and Control Systems: Description and Operation

This system utilizes an engine control module and maintains overall control of the engine, transmission and so on. An outline of the engine control is explained here.


1. INPUT SIGNALS
1. Engine coolant temp. signal circuit
The engine coolant temp. sensor detects the engine coolant temp. and has a built-in thermistor with a resistance which varies according to the water temp. is input into TERMINAL THW of the engine control module as a control signal.
2. Intake air temp. signal circuit
The intake air temp. sensor is installed in the mass air flow meter and detects the intake air temp., which is input &. a control signal into TERMINAL THA of the engine control module.
3. Oxygen sensor signal system (except California)
The oxygen density in the exhaust gases is detected and input as a control signal into TERMINALS OXL, OXR and OXS of the engine control module. To maintain stable detection performance by the heated oxygen sensor, a heater is used for warming the sensor. The heater is also controlled by the engine control module (HTL, HTR and HTS).
4. RPM signal system
Camshaft position and crankshaft position are detected by the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor. The camshaft position is input as a control signal to TERMINAL G22+ of the engine control module, and the engine RPM is input into TERMINAL NE+.
5. Throttle signal circuit
The throttle position sensor detects the throttle valve opening angle as a control signal, which is input into TERMINAL VTA1 of the engine control module.
6. Vehicle speed signal system
The vehicle speed sensor, installed inside the transmission, detects the vehicle speed and inputs a control signal into TERMINAL SPD of the engine control module.
7. Park/Neutral position SW signal system
The Park/Neutral position SW detects whether the shift position is in neutral, parking or not, and inputs a control signal into TERMINAL STA of the engine control module.
8. A/C SW signal system
The A/C amplifier inputs the A/C operations into TERMINAL A/C of the engine control module as a control signal.
9. Battery signal circuit
Voltage is constantly applied to TERMINAL BATT of the engine control module. When the ignition SW is turned on, voltage for the engine control module operation is applied to TERMINAL +B of the engine control module via the EFI relay (w/o engine immobilizer system and traction control except California).
Voltage is always supplies to TERMINAL BATT of the engine control module.
If you turn on the ignition SW, the current goes from TERMINAL MREL of the engine control module to the EFI relay and put on the relay, and the voltage related to the engine control module operation is supplied to TERMINAL +B of tile engine control module through the EFI relay (California, w/ engine immobilizer system and/or traction control except California).
10. Intake air volume signal circuit
Intake air volume is detected by the mass airflow meter and a signal is input into TERMINAL VG of the engine control module as a control signal.
11. NSW signal circuit
To confirm whether the engine is cranking, the voltage applied to the starter motor during cranking is detected and tile signal is input into TERMINAL NSW of the engine control module as a control signal.
12. Engine knock signal circuit
Engine knocking is detected by the knock sensor 1 and 2, then the signals are input into TERMINALS KNKR and KNKL of the engine control module as a control signal.
13. Air fuel ratio signal system (California)
The air fuel ratio is detected and input as a control signal into TERMINALS AFL+, AFR+ of the engine control module.

2. CONTROL SYSTEM
- SFI (Sequential multiport Fuel Injection) system
The SFI system monitors the engine condition through the signals, which are input from each sensor (Input signals (1) to (12)). The best fuel injection volume is decided based on this data and the program memorized by the engine control module, and the control signal is output to TERMINALS #10, #20, #30, #40, #50 and #60 of the engine control module to operate the injector (Inject the fuel). The SFI system produces control of fuel injection operation by the engine control module in response to the driving conditions.
- ESA (Electronic Spark Advance) system
The ESA system monitors the engine condition through the signals, which are input to the engine control module from each sensor (Input signals from 1,3, 4,12). The best ignition timing is decided according to this data and the memorized data in the engine control module and the control signal is output to TERMINALS IGT1,IGT2 and IGT3. This signal controls the igniter to provide the best ignition timing for the driving conditions.
- Heated oxygen sensor heater control system
The heated oxygen sensor heater control system turns the heater on when the intake air volume is low (Temp. of exhaust emissions is low), and warms up the heated oxygen sensor to improve detection performance of the sensor.
The engine control module evaluates the signals from each sensor (Input signals from 1, 4, 9, 10), current is output to TERMINALS HTL (except California) , HTR (except California) and HTS, controlling the heater.
- Idle air control system
The idle air control system (Rotary solenoid type) increases the rpm and provides idle stability for fast idle-up when the engine is cold, and when the idle speed has dropped due to electrical load and so on, the engine control module evaluates the signals from each sensor (Input signals from 1, 4, 5, 6, 9), current is output to TERMINALS RSO and RSC to control idle air control valve.
- EGR control system
The EGR control system detects the signal from each sensor (Input signals from 1, 4, 9, 10), and outputs current to TERMINAL EGR to control the [1][2][3]VSV (EGR).
The EGR valve position sensor is mounted on the EGR valve. This sensor converts the EGR valve opening height into a voltage and sends it to the engine control module as the EGR valve position signal.
- ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System)
ACIS includes a valve in the bulkhead separating the surge tank into two parts. This valve is opened and closed in accordance with the driving conditions to control the Intake manifold length in two stages for increased engine output in all ranges from low to high speeds.
The engine control module judges the engine speed by the signals ((4), (5)) from each sensor and outputs signals to the TERMINAL ACIS to control the [1][2][3]VSV (Intake air control).

3. DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM
With the diagnosis system, when there is a malfunction in the engine control module signal system, the malfunctioning system is recorded in the memory.

4. FAIL-SAFE SYSTEM
When a malfunction occurs in any systems, if there is a possibility of engine trouble being caused by continued control based on the signals from that system, the fail-safe system either controls the system by using data (Standard values) recorded in the engine control module memory or else stops the engine.