ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-35
Ignition coils
Two double ended ignition coils are located at the rear of the engine, below the inlet plenum camber mounted on a
bracket. The ignition system operates on the wasted spark principle. When the ECM triggers an ignition coil to spark,
current from the coil travels to one spark plug jumping the gap at the spark plug electrodes igniting the mixture in the
cylinder. Current continues to travel along the earth path (via the cylinder head) to the spark plug negative electrode
at the cylinder that is on the exhaust stroke. The current jumps across the spark plug electrodes and back to the coil
completing the circuit. Since it has sparked simultaneously in a cylinder that is on the exhaust stroke it has not done
any work, therefore it is wasted.
The coils are paired in the following cylinder order:
l1 and 6.
l8 and 5.
l4 and 7.
l3 and 2.
The ECM calculates the dwell timing from battery voltage, and engine speed to ensure constant secondary energy.
This ensures sufficient spark energy is always available without excessive primary current flow and thus avoiding
overheating or damage to the coils. Individual cylinder spark timing is calculated from the following signals:
lEngine speed.
lEngine load.
lEngine temperature.
lKnock control.
lAutomatic gearbox shift control.
lIdle speed control.
During engine warm up ignition timing should be an expected value of 12
° BTDC.
TestBook can not directly carry out diagnostics on the high-tension side of the ignition system. Ignition related faults
are monitored indirectly by the misfire detection system.
Input/Output
Input to the low tension side of the ignition coils comes from Fuse 14 located in the passenger compartment fuse box.
This fuse provides battery power for two ignition coils.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-37
The ignition is calibrated to run on 95 RON premium fuel, but the system will run satisfactorily on 91 RON regular fuel.
If the vehicle is refuelled with a lower grade fuel, some audible detonation will initially be heard. This is non-damaging
and ceases when the system adaption is completed.
Input/Output
Because of the nature of its operation, the knock sensors do not require any electrical input source. The KS output
for LH bank (cylinders 1, 3, 5, 7) is measured via pin 49 of connector C0636 of the ECM. The KS output for RH bank
(cylinders 2, 4, 6, 8) is measured via pin 36 of connector C0636 of the ECM. Both knock sensors have a screened
earth to protect the integrity of the sensor signals. The KS earth for LH bank (cylinders 1, 3, 5, 7) is via pin 48 of
connector C0636 of the ECM. The KS earth for RH bank (cylinders 2, 4, 6, 8) is via pin 35 of connector C0636 of the
ECM.
The connector and sensor terminals are gold plated for corrosion and temperature resistance, care must be exercised
while probing the connector and sensor terminals.
The KS can fail the following ways or supply incorrect signal:
lSensor open circuit.
lShort circuit to vehicle battery supply.
lShort circuit to vehicle earth.
lFaulty component.
lIncorrectly tightened sensor.
In the event of a KS signal failure any of the following symptoms may be observed:
lKS disabled, the ECM refers to a 'safe ignition map'.
lRough running.
lEngine performance concern.
The ECM performs the following diagnostic checks to confirm correct knock sensor operation:
lKS signal level is less than the minimum threshold (dependent on engine speed) – the engine must be running,
coolant temperature above 60
°C (140°F), number of camshaft revolutions since start greater than 50 and the KS
signal profile must be less than the threshold value at a given engine speed for a fault condition to be flagged
lKS signal is greater than the maximum threshold (dependent on engine speed) – the engine must be running,
coolant temperature above 60
°C (140°F), number of camshaft revolutions since start greater than 50 and the KS
signal profile must be greater than the threshold value at a given engine speed for a fault condition to be flagged
lError counter for verification of knock internal circuitry exceeded – the engine must be running, coolant
temperature above 60
°C (140°F), number of camshaft revolutions since start greater than 50 and the error
counter greater than the threshold value at a given engine speed for a fault condition to be flagged
Should a malfunction of the component occur the following fault codes may be evident and can be retrieved by
TestBook:
P Code J2012 Description Land Rover Description
P0327 Knock sensor 1 circuit low input (bank 1 or single
sensor)LH bank signal less than threshold determined from
ECM model above 2200 rev/min
P0328 Knock sensor 1 circuit high input (bank 1 or
single sensor)LH bank signal greater than threshold determined from
ECM model above 2200 rev/min
P0332 Knock sensor 2 circuit low input (bank 2) RH bank signal less than threshold determined from
ECM model above 2200 rev/min
P0333 Knock sensor 2 circuit high input (bank 2) RH bank signal greater than threshold determined from
ECM model above 2200 rev/min
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-39
Hill Decent Control (HDC)
Refer to Brakes for description of the hill descent control.
+ BRAKES, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
High/Low ratio switch
Refer to Transfer Box for description of the high/ low ratio switch transfer box components.
+ TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)/ service engine soon warning lamp
The MIL/ service engine soon warning lamp is located in the instrument cluster. It illuminates to alert the driver to
system malfunctions. Service engine soon warning lamp is the name for this warning lamp in NAS only, it is called
MIL in all other markets.
During ignition a self-test function of the lamp is carried out. The lamp will illuminate for 3 seconds then it will
extinguish if no faults exist.
+ INSTRUMENTS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Input/Output
The MIL is supplied with battery voltage from the instrument cluster. When the ECM detects a fault, it provides an
earth path to illuminate the MIL. Output to the MIL is via pin 20 of connector C0637 of the ECM.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-41
Input/Output
The ECM provides the earth for the relay coil to allow the relay contacts to close and the ATC clutch drive to receive
battery voltage. The ECM uses a transistor as a switch to generate an open circuit in the earth path of the relay coil.
When the ECM opens the earth path, the return spring in the relay will pull the contacts apart to shut down the ATC
clutch drive.
Input to the ATC clutch relay switching contacts is via fuse 6 located in the engine compartment fuse box. The relay
coils are supplied with battery voltage from the main relay, also located in the engine compartment fuse box. The earth
path for the relay coil is via pin 29 of the ECM C0657 connector. When the relay is energised the output from the
switching contacts goes directly to the ATC compressor clutch.
The ATC clutch relay can fail in the following ways:
lRelay open circuit.
lShort circuit to vehicle supply.
lShort circuit to vehicle earth.
lBroken return spring.
In the event of an ATC clutch relay failure, the ATC does not work.
Should a malfunction of the component occur, the following fault codes may be evident and can be retrieved by
TestBook.
P Code J2012 Description Land Rover Description
P1536 Air conditioning compressor request range/
performanceATC compressor clutch relay open circuit
P1537 Air conditioning compressor request low input ATC compressor clutch relay short to earth
P1538 Air conditioning compressor request high input ATC compressor clutch relay short to battery supply
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
18-2-42 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Cooling fan relay
The cooling fan relay is located in the engine compartment fuse box. It is a four pin normally open relay. The relay
must be energised to drive the cooling fan.
The cooling fan is used to cool both the condenser in which the ATC refrigerant is held and the radiator. This fan is
used especially when the engine is operating at excessively high temperatures. It is also used as a part of the ECM
backup strategy if the ECT fails.
Input/Output
The ECM provides the earth for the relay coils to allow the relay contacts to close and the cooling fan motor to receive
battery voltage. The ECM uses a transistor as a switch to generate an open circuit in the earth path of the relay
windings. When the ECM opens the earth path, the return spring in the relay will pull the contacts apart to shut down
the cooling fan motor drive.
Input to the cooling fan relay switching contacts is via fuse 5 located in the engine compartment fuse box. The relay
coils are supplied with battery voltage from the main relay, also located in the engine compartment fuse box. The earth
path for the relay coils is via pin 31 of the ECM connector C0636. When the relay is energised the output from the
switching contacts is directly to the cooling fan motor.
The cooling fan relay can fail in the following ways:
lRelay open circuit.
lShort circuit to vehicle battery supply.
lShort circuit to vehicle earth.
lBroken return spring.
In the event of a cooling fan relay failure, the cooling fan does not work.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
18-2-50 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
In the case of a VSS failure on vehicles with automatic gearboxes, the ECM applies default values derived from the
EAT ECU. There are no default values for manual gearbox vehicles.
The VSS can fail in the following ways:
lWiring short circuit to vehicle supply.
lWiring short circuit to vehicle earth.
lWiring open circuit.
In the event of a VSS failure, any of the following symptoms may be observed:
lMIL illuminated after 2 driving cycles (NAS only).
lVehicle speed limiting disabled (manual transmission vehicles only).
lSLABS/HDC warning lamp on and audible warning.
Should a malfunction of the component occur the following fault codes may be evident and can be retrieved by
TestBook:
Rough road signal
When the vehicle travels across rough terrain, or on rough roads instability becomes evident in the drive train. The
ECM could interpret these vibrations as a 'false misfire'. To counteract this 'false misfire' the SLABS ECU generates
a rough road signal, sends it to the ECM so that the ECM can suspend misfire detection for as long as the vehicle is
travelling on the 'rough road'.
Function
Input for the rough road signal is measured via pin 34 of connector C0637 of the ECM. The SLABS ECU generates
a PWM signal that varies in accordance with changing road conditions. The rough road PWM signal operates at a
frequency of 2.33 Hz
± 10%. The significance of changes in the PWM signal are shown in the following table:
The rough road signal can fail in the following ways:
lHarness or connector damage
lSLABS failure — wheel speed sensor
A rough road signal failure may be evident from the following:
lHDC / ABS warning light on
P Code J2012 Description Land Rover Description
P0500 Vehicle speed sensor malfunction VSS short or open circuit
P0501 Vehicle speed sensor range/performance VSS implausible
PWM signal Indication
<10% Electrical short circuit to ground
25% ± 5 % Smooth road
50% ± 5 % SLABS error
75% ± 5% Rough road
>90% Electrical short circuit to battery voltage
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-51
Should a malfunction of the rough road signal occur, the following fault codes may be evident and can be retrieved
by TestBook:
Hill Descent Control (HDC) signal
The ECM transmits throttle angle, engine torque, engine identification (Td5 or V8), and transmission type (automatic
or manual) data to the SLABS ECU to support the Hill Descent Control system. The information is transmitted via a
0 – 12V pulse width modulated (PWM) signal at a frequency of 179.27 Hz.
Function
The HDC signal output from the ECM is via pin 29 of connector C0636. The ECM generates a PWM signal that varies
in pulse width in accordance with changing throttle angle or engine torque. The throttle angle data is transmitted on
pulses 1, 3, 5 and 37. The engine torque data is transmitted on pulses 2,4,6 and 38. The engine and transmission
information is transmitted on pulse 39. A synchronising pulse is transmitted after every 39th pulse.
The HDC signal can fail in the following ways:
lHarness or connector damage
A HDC signal failure may be evident from the following:
lHDC / ABS warning light on
lHDC inoperative
lAudible warning
Should a malfunction of the HDC signal occur, the following fault codes may be evident and can be retrieved by
TestBook:
Low fuel level signal
When the fuel level in the fuel tank becomes low enough to illuminate the low fuel level warning lamp in the instrument
cluster, the instrument cluster generates a low fuel level signal. If the low fuel level signal is present during the ECM
misfire detection function the ECM can use it to check for a 'false misfire'.
Conditions
The fuel sender generates the low fuel level signal when the fuel sender resistance is greater than 158
± 8 ohms.
P Code J2012 Description Land Rover Description
P1590 ABS rough road signal circuit malfunction Hardware is OK, but SLABS ECU is sending an error
signal
P1591 ABS rough road signal circuit low Signal from SLABS ECU short circuit to earth
P1592 ABS rough road signal circuit high Signal from SLABS ECU short circuit to vehicle battery
supply
P Code J2012 Description Land Rover Description
P1663 Throttle angle/Torque signal circuit malfunction SLABS HDC link open circuit
P1664 Throttle angle/Torque signal circuit low SLABS HDC link short circuit to ground
P1665 Throttle angle/Torque signal circuit high SLABS HDC link short circuit to battery voltage
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-65
When cruise is requested, the cruise control ECU provides voltage to the vacuum pump assembly and provides a
pulsed earth signal. The pulse period is dependent on the difference between the vehicle set speed and the actual
road speed. Removing the earth path switches off the pump.
Several fault codes can be generated:
Fault codes
1"Output power LOW when HIGH is expected" is flagged when Pin C0239-11 is shorted to earth.
This could be due to an external fault or an internal ECU fault and will be set if pin C0239-11 is LOW for longer
than 240 milliseconds, while in cruise mode.
2"Output power HIGH when LOW is expected" is flagged when Pin C0239-11 is shorted to battery voltage.
This could be due to an external fault or internal ECU fault and will be set if pin C0239-11 is HIGH for longer than
250 milliseconds while not in cruise mode.
3"Output pump LOW, when High is expected" is flagged when Pin C0239-7 is shorted to earth.
This could be due to an external fault or an internal ECU fault. This fault will be set if pin C0239-11 is HIGH for
longer than 7.5 milliseconds while pin C0239-7 is LOW for longer than 2.5 milliseconds while decelerating under
control of cruise.
4"Output pump HIGH, when LOW is expected" is flagged when Pin C0239-7 is shorted to battery voltage.
This could be due to an external fault or an internal ECU fault. This fault will be set if pin C0239-7 is LOW for
longer than 7.5 milliseconds of the last 8 pulses when the pump is switched on while accelerating under the
control of cruise.
5Output valve LOW, when HIGH is expected is flagged when Pin C0239-7 is shorted to battery voltage.
This could be due to an external fault or an internal ECU fault and will be set if pin C0239-17 is LOW for longer
than 2.5 milliseconds while pin C0239-7 is HIGH for longer than 2.5 milliseconds and pin C0239-11 is also HIGH
for longer than 7.5 milliseconds, while decelerating under control of the cruise control ECU.
6Output valve HIGH, when LOW is expected is flagged when Pin C0239-17 is shorted to battery voltage.
This could be an external fault or an internal ECU fault. The fault will be set if pin C0239-17 remains HIGH for
longer than 35 milliseconds after the vacuum control valve is switched on, while accelerating under control of
the cruise control ECU.
TestBook can be used to determine the fault codes present as well as the general status of the system.
Pneumatic actuator
The cruise control ECU controls the position of the throttle disc by regulating the amount of vacuum applied by the
vacuum pump to the pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator is an air tight bellow coupled to the pneumatic pump
via a vacuum pipe. The pump evacuates the air inside the bellow and pipe, which collapses the bellow. This pulls on
a cable, which moves the throttle disc to the desired position. On vehicles from 03 model year, the cruise control
vacuum pump and pneumatic actuator assembly is fitted with a heat shield to protect the components from heat from
the exhaust manifold.