3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS 6E-51
GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR ECM AND
SENSORS
Engine Control Module (ECM)
1 2
(1) A Port
(2) B Port
The engine control module (ECM) is located on the
common chamber. The ECM controls the following.
Fuel metering system
Ignition timing
On-board diagnostics for powertrain functions.
The ECM constantly observes the information from
various sensors. The ECM controls the systems tha
t
affect vehicle performance. And it performs the
diagnostic function of the system.
The function can recognize operational problems, and
warn to the driver through the check engine lamp, and
store diagnostic trouble code (DTC). DTCs identify the
problem areas to aid the technician in marking repairs.
The input / output devices in the ECM include analog to
digital converts, signal buffers, counters and drivers.
The ECM controls most components with electronic
switches which complete a ground circuit when turned
on.
Inputs (Operating condition read):
Battery voltage
Electrical ignition
Exhaust oxygen content
Mass air flow
Intake air temperature
Engine coolant temperature
Crankshaft position
Camshaft position
Throttle position
Vehicle speed
Power steering pressure
Air conditioning request on or off
EGR valve position
Outputs (Systems controlled):
Ignition control
Fuel control
Idle air control
Fuel pump
EVAP canister purge
Air conditioning
Diagnostics functions
The vehicle with automatic transmission, the
interchange of data between the engine control module
(ECM) and the transmission control module (TCM) is
performed via a CAN-bus system.
The following signals are exchanged via the CAN-bus:
ECM to TCM:
ECM CAN signal status
Engine torque
Coolant temperature
Throttle position
Engine speed
A/C status
CAN valid counter
TCM to ECM:
Ignition timing retard request
Garage shift status
CAN valid counter
6E-52 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor & Intake Air
Temperature (IAT) Sensor
The MAF sensor is part of the intake air system.
It is fitted between the air cleaner & throttle body and
measure the mass air flowing into the engine.
The MAF sensor uses a hot wire element to determine
the amount of air flowing into the engine. (The wire
temperature reaches to 170 - 300C)
The MAF sensor assembly consist of a MAF senso
r
element and an intake air temperature sensor that are
both exposed to the air flow to be measured.
The MAF sensor element measures the partial air mass
through a measurement duct on the sensor housing.
Using calibration, there is an extrapolation to the entire
mass air flow to the engine.
The IAT sensor is a thermistor. A temperature changes
the resistance value. And it changes voltage. In othe
r
words it measures a temperature value. Low air
temperature produces a high resistance.
The ECM supplies 5 volts signal to the IAT senso
r
through resisters in the ECM and measures the voltage.
The signal voltage will be high when the air temperature
is cold, and it will be low when the air temperature is
hot. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
1
2
(1) Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
(2) Idle Air Control Valve (IACValve)
The TPS is a potentiometer connected to throttle shaf
t
on the throttle body.
The engine control module (ECM) monitors the voltage
on the signal line and calculates throttle position. As the
throttle valve angle is changed when accelerator pedal
moved. The TPS signal also changed at a moved
throttle valve.
As the throttle valve opens, the output
increases so that the output voltage should be high.
The throttle body has a throttle plate to control the
amount of air delivered to the engine. Engine coolant is
directed through a coolant cavity in the throttle body to
warm the throttle valve and to prevent icing.
Charac teristic of IA T Sens or
10 100 1000 10000 100000-3010 50 90130Temper atur e (
)
Resistance (Ω)
3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS 6E-53
Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve
Step
CoilAB CD
Coil A High
(EC M B13)On On
Coil A Low
(EC M B16)On On
Coil B High
(EC M B14)On On
Coil B Low
(EC M B17)On On
(IAC Valve Close Direction)
(IAC Valve Open Direction)
The idle air control valve (IAC) valve is two directional
and gives 2-way control. It has a stepping moto
r
capable of 256 steps, and also has 2 coils. With power
supply to the coils controlled steps by the engine control
module (ECM), the IAC valve's pintle is moved to adjus
t
idle speed, raising it for fast idle when cold or there is
extra load from the air conditioning or power steering.
By moving the pintle in (to decrease air flow) or out (to
increase air flow), a controlled amount of the air can
move around the throttle plate. If the engine speed is
too low, the engine control module (ECM) will retract the
IAC pintle, resulting in more air moving past the throttle
plate to increase the engine speed.
If the engine speed is too high, the engine control
module (ECM) will extend the IAC pintle, allowing less
air to move past the throttle plate, decreasing the
engine speed.
The IAC pintle valve moves in small step called counts.
During idle, the proper position of the IAC pintle is
calculated by the engine control module (ECM) based
on battery voltage, coolant temperature, engine load,
and engine speed.
If the engine speed drops below a specified value, and
the throttle plate is closed, the engine control module
(ECM) senses a near-stall condition. The engine control
module (ECM) will then calculate a new IAC pintle valve
position to prevent stalls. If the IAC valve is disconnected and reconnected with
the engine running, the idle speed will be wrong. In this
case, the IAC must be reset. The IAC resets when the
key is cycled "On" then "Off". When servicing the IAC, i
t
should only be disconnected or connected with the
ignition "Off".
The position of the IAC pintle valve affects engine start-
up and the idle characteristic of the vehicle.
If the IAC pintle is fully open, too much air will be
allowed into the manifold. This results in high idle
speed, along with possible hard starting and lean
air/fuel ratio.
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
12
(1) Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
(2) EGR Valve
With the use of sequential multi-point fuel injection, a
hall element type camshaft position (CMP) is adopted to
provide information to be used in making decisions on
injection timing to each cylinder. It is mounted on the
rear of the left-hand cylinder head and sends signals to
the ECM.
One pulse is generated per two rotations of crankshaft.
6E-54 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor
The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor, which sends a
signal necessary for deciding on injection timing to the
ECM, is mounted on the right-hand side of the cylinde
r
block.
The crankshaft has a 58 teeth press-fit timing disc, from
which the CKP sensor reads the position of the
crankshaft at all the times. It converts this to an
electrical signal, which it sends to the ECM.
Of the 58 teeth, 57 have a base with of 3°, and are
evenly spaced, but tooth No. 58 is 15° wide at its based
to serve as a timing mark, allowing the sensor to repor
t
the standard crankshaft position.
Using the 58 X signals per rotation and the timing-mark
signal sent by the CKP sensor, the ECM is able to
accurately calculate engine speed and crank position.
Also, the position of each cylinder is precisely known by
the ECM from signals sent by the camshaft position
(CMP) sensor, so the sequential multi-point fuel
injection can be controlled with accuracy.
The 58 X signals are converted by the ECM into a
retangle wave signal. This converted signal is sent from
the ECM terminal B12 to the tachometer and transfe
r
case control module (TCCM) terminal 15 (if 4WD
model).
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
The ECT sensor is a thermistor. A temperature
changes the resistance value. And it changes voltage.
In other words it measures a temperature value. It is
installed on the coolant stream. Low coolan
t
temperature produces a high resistance.
The ECM supplies 5 volts signal to the ECT senso
r
through resisters in the ECM and measures the voltage.
The signal voltage will be high when the engine
temperature is cold, and it will be low when the engine
temperature is hot.
Characteris tic of ECT Sens or
10 100 1000 10000 100000-3010 50 90130Temperature (
)
Resistance (Ω)
3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS 6E-57
Starting Mode
When the ignition is first turned "ON," the ECM
energizes the fuel pump relay for two seconds to allo
w
the fuel pump to build up pressure. The ECM then
checks the engine coolant temperature (ECT) senso
r
and the throttle position sensor to determine the proper
air/fuel ratio for starting.
The ECM controls the amount of fuel delivered in the
starting mode by adjusting how long the fuel injectors
are energized by pulsing the injectors for very short
times.
Fuel Metering System Components
The fuel metering system is made up of the following
parts.
Fuel injector
Throttle Body
Fuel Rail
Fuel Pressure regulator
ECM
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
Camshaft position (CMP) sensor
Idle air control valve
Fuel pump
Fuel Injector
The sequential multi-port fuel injection fuel injector is a
solenoid operated device controlled by the ECM. The
ECM energizes the solenoid, which opens a valve to
allow fuel delivery.
The fuel is injected under pressure in a conical spray
pattern at the opening of the intake valve. Excess fuel
not used by the injectors passes through the fuel
pressure regulator before being returned to the fuel
tank.
Fuel Pressure Regulator
The fuel pressure regulator is a diaphragm-operated
relief valve mounted on the fuel rail with fuel pump
pressure on one side and manifold pressure on the
other side. The fuel pressure regulator maintains the
fuel pressure available to the injector at three times
barometric pressure adjusted for engine load. It may be
serviced separate.
If the pressure is too low, poor performance and a DTC
P0131, P0151, P0171, P0174, P1171 or P1174 will be
the result. If the pressure is too high, excessive odo
r
and/or a DTC P0132, P0152, P0172 or P0175 will be
the result. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosisfo
r
information on diagnosing fuel pressure conditions.
Fuel Rail
The fuel rail is mounted to the top of the engine and
distributes fuel to the individual injectors. Fuel is
delivered to the fuel inlet tube of the fuel rail by the fuel
lines. The fuel goes through the fuel rail to the fuel
pressure regulator. The fuel pressure regulato
r
maintains a constant fuel pressure at the injectors.
Remaining fuel is then returned to the fuel tank.
055RV009
Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit
When the key is first turned "ON," the ECM energizes
the fuel pump relay for two seconds to build up the fuel
pressure quickly. If the engine is not started within two
seconds, the ECM shuts the fuel pump off and waits
until the engine is cranked. When the engine is cranked
and the 58 X crankshaft position signal has been
detected by the ECM, the ECM supplies 12 volts to the
fuel pump relay to energize the electric in-tank fuel
pump.
An inoperative fuel pump will cause a "no-start"
condition. A fuel pump which does not provide enough
pressure will result in poor performance.
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Signal
The ECM uses this signal to determine the position o
f
the number 1 piston during its power stroke, allowing
the ECM to calculate true sequential multiport fuel
injection. Loss of this signal will set a DTC P0341. If the
CMP signal is lost while the engine is running, the fuel
injection system will shift to a calculated sequential fuel
injection based on the last fuel injection pulse, and the
engine will continue to run. The engine can be restarted
and will run in the calculated sequential mode as long
as the fault is present, with a 1-in-6 chance of being
correct.
6E-58 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR
ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM IGNITION
COILS & CONTROL
A separate coil-at-plug module is located at each spark
plug.
The coil-at-plug module is attached to the engine with
two screws. It is installed directly to the spark plug by an
electrical contact inside a rubber boot.
A three way connector provides 12 volts primary supply
from the ignition coil fuse, a ground switching trigge
r
line from the ECM, and ground.
The ignition control spark timing is the ECM's method o
f
controlling the spark advance and the ignition dwell.
The ignition control spark advance and the ignition dwell
are calculated by the ECM using the following inputs.
Engine speed
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
Camshaft position (CMP) sensor
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
Throttle position sensor
Park or neutral position switch
Vehicle speed sensor
ECM and ignition system supply voltage
Based on these sensor signal and engine load
information, the ECM sends 5V to each ignition coil
requiring ignition. This signal sets in the powe
r
transistor of the ignition coil to establish a grounding
circuit for the primary coil, applying battery voltage to
the primary coil.
At the ignition timing, the ECM stops sending the 5V
signal voltage. Under this condition the power transistor
of the ignition coil is set off to cut the battery voltage to
the primary coil, thereby causing a magnetic field
generated in the primary coil to collapse.
On this moment a line of magnetic force flows to the
secondary coil, and when this magnetic line crosses the
coil, high voltage induced by the secondary ignition
circuit to flow through the spark plug to the ground.
Ignition Control ECM Output
The ECM provides a zero volt (actually about 100 mV to
200 mV) or a 5-volt output signal to the ignition control
(IC) module. Each spark plug has its own primary and
secondary coil module ("coil-at-plug") located at the
spark plug itself. When the ignition coil receives the
5-volt signal from the ECM, it provides a ground path fo
r
the B+ supply to the primary side of the coil-at -plug
module. This energizes the primary coil and creates a
magnetic field in the coil-at-plug module. When the
ECM shuts off the 5-volt signal to the ignition control
module, the ground path for the primary coil is broken.
The magnetic field collapses and induces a high voltage
secondary impulse which fires the spark plug and
ignites the air/fuel mixture.
The circuit between the ECM and the ignition coil is
monitored for open circuits, shorts to voltage, and
shorts to ground. If the ECM detects one of these
events, it will set one of the following DTCs:
P0351: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #1
P0352: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #2
P0353: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #3
P0354: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #4
P0355: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #5
P0356: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #6
Spark Plug
Although worn or dirty spark plugs may give satisfactory
operation at idling speed, they frequency fail at highe
r
engine speeds. Faulty spark plugs may cause poor fuel
economy, power loss, loss of speed, hard starting and
generally poor engine performance. Follow the
scheduled maintenance service recommendations to
ensure satisfactory spark plug performance. Refer to
Maintenance and Lubrication.
Normal spark plug operation will result in brown to
grayish-tan deposits appearing on the insulator portion
of the spark plug. A small amount of red-brown, yellow,
and white powdery material may also be present on the
insulator tip around the center electrode. These
deposits are normal combustion by-products of fuels
and lubricating oils with additives. Some electrode wea
r
will also occur. Engines which are not running properly
are often referred to as “misfiring." This means the
ignition spark is not igniting the air/fuel mixture at the
proper time.
Spark plugs may also misfire due to fouling, excessive
gap, or a cracked or broken insulator. If misfiring
occurs before the recommended replacement interval,
locate and correct the cause.
3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS 6E-61
GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR
EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM
3 1 2
(1) Purge Solenoid Valve
(2) From Canistor to Purge Solenoid
(3) From Purge Solenoid to Intake
1
2
(1) Canistor
(2) Air Separator
The basic evaporative emission control system used on
the charcoal canister storage method. The method
transfers fuel vapor from the fuel tank to an activated
carbon (charcoal) storage devise to hold the vapors
when the vehicle is not operating.
The canister is located on the rear axle housing by the
frame cross-member.
When the engine is running, the fuel vapor is purged
from the carbon element by intake air flow and
consumed in the normal combustion process.
EVAP Control System
The evaporate emission canister purge is controlled by
a duty solenoid valve that allows manifold to purge the
canister when following operating conditions are met.
Purge solenoid valve operating condition at idle
condition:
Engine speed is below 1000rpm.
Vehicle speed is below 3km/h.
Engine coolant temperature is more than 80C.
Intake air temperature is more than 10C.
In closed loop operation.
All above conditions are met for 4 seconds.
Purge solenoid valve operating condition at other than
idle condition:
Engine speed is below 6375rpm.
Vehicle speed is more than 14km/h.
Engine coolant temperature is more than 60C.
All above conditions are met for 4 seconds.
Results of Incorrect Operation
Poor idle, stalling and poor driveability can be caused
by:
Inoperative purge solenoid.
Damaged canister.
Hoses split, cracked and/or not connected to the
proper tubes.
Evidence of fuel loss or fuel vapor odor can be caused
by:
Liquid fuel leaking from fuel lines, or fuel pump.
Cracked or damaged canister.
Disconnected, misrouted, kinked, deteriorated o
r
damaged vapor hoses, or control hoses.
If the solenoid is always open, the canister can purge to
the intake manifold at all times. This can allow extra fuel
at idle or during warm-up, which can cause rough o
r
unstable idle, or too rich operation.
If the solenoid is always closed, the canister can
become over-loaded, resulting in fuel odor.
6E-62 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR EXHAUST
GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM
Linear EGR Valve
060R200237
Legend
(1) ECM
(2) Linear EGR Valve
(3) Throttle
(4) Exhaust Manifold
The exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) system is used to
reduce emission levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
NOx emission levels are caused by a high combustion
levels by decreasing the combustion temperature.
The EGR valve feeds small amount of exhaust gas
back into the combustion chamber. The fuel/air mixture
will be diluted and combustion temperatures reduced.
Linear EGR valve Operation and Results o
f
Incorrect Operation
The linear EGR valve is designed to accurately supply
EGR to the engine independent of intake manifold
vacuum. The valve controls EGR flow from the exhaus
t
to the intake manifold through an orifice with a ECM
controlled pintle. During operation, the ECM controls
pintle position by monitoring the pintle position feedback
signal.
The linear EGR valve is activated under the following
conditions:
No DTC relating to the EGR.
Engine speed is between 1200 and 4375rpm.
Engine coolant temperature is between 20 and
100.
Throttle position sensor output voltage is belo
w
3V.
Too mach EGR flow at idle, cruise or cold operation
may cause any of the following conditions to occur:
Engine stalls after a cold start.
Engine stalls at idle after deceleration.
Vehicle surges during cruise.
Rough idle.
Too little or no EGR flow may allow combustion
temperatures to get too high. This could cause:
Spark knock (detonation).
Emission test failure.
Poor fuel economy.