2011 INFINITI QX56 sensor

COMPONENT PARTSEC-31
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > [VK56VD]
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Manifold Absolute Pressure SensorINFOID:0000000006217687
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is installed on the
intake manifold collector. Detects intake manifold pressure, and
transmits a voltage signal to the ECM.
The sensor uses a silicon diaphragm which is sensitive to the
change in pressure. As the pressu
re increases, the voltage rises.
Mass Air Flow Sensor (With Intake Air Temperature Sensor)INFOID:0000000006217688
MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR
The mass air flow (MAF) sensor (1) is placed in the stream of intake
air. It measures the intake flow ra te by measuring a part of the entire
intake flow. The mass air flow sens or controls the temperature of the
hot wire to a certain amount. The heat generated by the hot wire is
reduced as the intake air flows around it. The greater air flow, the
greater the heat loss.
Therefore, the electric current supplied to hot wire is changed to
maintain the temperature of the hot wire as air flow increases. The
ECM detects the air flow by means of this current change.
INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor is built-into t he mass air flow sensor. The sensor detects intake air
temperature and transmits a signal to the ECM.
The temperature sensing unit uses a thermistor which is sensitive to the change in temperature. Electrical
resistance of the thermistor decreases in response to the rise in temperature.

*: These data are reference values and are measured between ECM terminals.
Power Steering Pressure (PSP) SensorINFOID:0000000006217689
Power steering pressure (PSP) sensor is installed to the power steering high-pressure tube and detects a
power steering load.
This sensor is a potentiometer which transforms the power steering load into output voltage, and emits the
voltage signal to the ECM. The ECM controls the electric throttle control actuator and adjusts the throttle valve
opening angle to increase the engine speed and adjusts the idle speed for the increased load.
JMBIA0877ZZ
PBIA9559J
Intake air temperature
[° C ( °F)] Voltage* (V) Resistance (k
Ω)
25 (77) 3.3 1.94 - 2.06
80 (176) 1.2 0.293 - 0.349
SEF012P
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

EC-32
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >[VK56VD]
COMPONENT PARTS
Refrigerant Pressure Sensor
INFOID:0000000006217690
The refrigerant pressure sensor is installed at the c ondenser of the air conditioner system. The sensor uses an
electrostatic volume pressure transducer to convert refrigerant pressure to voltage. The voltage signal is sent
to ECM, and ECM controls cooling fan system.
VVEL Actuator MotorINFOID:0000000006217691
The VVEL actuator motor rotates the control shaft acco rding to the control signal from the VVEL control mod-
ule. The VVEL control module judges whether the VVEL actuator motor controls the angle properly by the
VVEL control shaft position sensor signal.
VVEL Actuator Motor RelayINFOID:0000000006217692
Power supply for the VVEL actuator motor is provided to the VVEL control module via VVEL actuator motor
relay. VVEL actuator motor relay is ON/OFF controll ed by the VVEL control module. In addition, when the
VVEL actuator motor relay cannot be controlled by the VVEL control module for some reason, it ON/OFF con-
trolled by ECM.
VVEL Control ModuleINFOID:0000000006217693
The VVEL control module consists of a microcomputer and connec-
tors for signal input and output and for power supply. The VVEL con-
trol module controls VVEL system.
VVEL Control Shaft Position SensorINFOID:0000000006217694
VVEL control shaft position sensor detects the control shaft position
angle.
A magnet is installed to the tip of the control shaft.
The magnetic field changes as the control shaft rotates. This
changes output voltage of the VVEL control shaft position sensor.
VVEL control module detects the actual position angle through the
voltage change and sends the signal to ECM.
PBIB2657E
JMBIA0879ZZ
JSBIA0466ZZ
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

SYSTEMEC-37
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > [VK56VD]
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*1: This sensor is not used to control the engine system under normal conditions.
*2: ECM determines the start signal status by the signals of engine speed and battery voltage.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The adoption of the direct fuel injection method enables
more accurate adjustment of fuel injection quantity by
injecting atomized high-pressure fuel directly into the cylinder. This method allows high-powered engine, low
fuel consumption, and emissions-reduction.
The amount of fuel injected from the fuel injector is determined by the ECM. The ECM controls the length of
time the valve remains open (injection pulse duration). T he amount of fuel injected is a program value in the
ECM memory. The program value is preset by engi ne operating conditions. These conditions are determined
by input signals (for engine speed and intake air and fuel rail pressure) from the crankshaft position sensor,
camshaft position sensor, mass air flow sensor and the fuel rail pressure sensor.
VARIOUS FUEL INJECTION INCREASE/DECREASE COMPENSATION
In addition, the amount of fuel injected is compens ated to improve engine performance under various operat-
ing conditions as listed below.
 During warm-up
 When starting the engine
 During acceleration
 Hot-engine operation
 When selector lever position is changed from N to D
 High-load, high-speed operation

 During deceleration
 During high engine speed operation
FUEL INJECTION CONTROL
Stratified-charge Combustion
Stratified-charge combustion is a combustion method wh ich enables extremely lean combustion by injecting
fuel in the latter half of a compression process, coll ecting combustible air-fuel around the spark plug, and form-
ing fuel-free airspace around the mixture.
Right after a start with the engine cold, the catalyst warm-up is accelerated by stratified-charge combustion.
Homogeneous Combustion
Sensor Input signal to ECM ECM function Actuator
Crankshaft position sensor Engine speed*
2
Fuel injection
& mixture ratio
controlFuel injector
Camshaft position sensor Camshaft position
Mass air flow sensor Amount of intake air
Intake air temperature sensor Intake air temperature
Engine coolant temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature
Air fuel ratio (A/F) sensor 1 Density of oxygen in exhaust gas
Fuel rail pressure sensor Fuel rail pressure
Throttle position sensor Throttle position
Accelerator pedal position sensor Accelerator pedal position
TCM Gear position
Battery
Battery voltage*
2
Knock sensor Engine knocking condition
Power steering pressure sensor Power steering operation
Heated oxygen sensor 2*
1Density of oxygen in exhaust gas
ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) VDC/TCS operation command
A/C auto amp. A/C ON signal
Combination meter Vehicle speed
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

EC-38
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >[VK56VD]
SYSTEM
Homogeneous combustion is a combustion method that fuel
is injected during intake process so that combus-
tion occurs in the entire combustion chamber , as is common with conventional methods.
As for a start except for starts with the engine cold, homogeneous combustion occurs.
MIXTURE RATIO FEEDBACK CONTROL (CLOSED LOOP CONTROL)
The mixture ratio feedback system prov ides the best air-fuel mixture ratio for driveability and emission control.
The three way catalyst (manifold) can better reduce CO , HC and NOx emissions. This system uses A/F sen-
sor 1 in the exhaust manifold to monitor whether the engine operation is rich or lean. The ECM adjusts the
injection pulse width according to the sensor voltage signal. For more information about A/F sensor 1, refer to
EC-21, "
Air Fuel Ratio (A/F) Sensor 1". This maintains the mixture ratio within the range of stoichiometric
(ideal air-fuel mixture).
This stage is referred to as the closed loop control condition.
Heated oxygen sensor 2 is located downstream of the th ree way catalyst (manifold). Even if the switching
characteristics of A/F sensor 1 shift, the air-fuel ratio is controlled to stoichiometric by the signal from heated
oxygen sensor 2.
 Open Loop Control
The open loop system condition refers to when the ECM detects any of the following conditions. Feedback
control stops in order to maintain stabilized fuel combustion.
- Deceleration and acceleration
- High-load, high-speed operation
- Malfunction of A/F sensor 1 or its circuit
- Insufficient activation of A/F sensor 1 at low engine coolant temperature
- High engine coolant temperature
- During warm-up
- After shifting from N to D
- When starting the engine
MIXTURE RATIO SELF-LEARNING CONTROL
The mixture ratio feedback control system monitors t he mixture ratio signal transmitted from A/F sensor 1.
This feedback signal is then sent to the ECM. The ECM c ontrols the basic mixture ratio as close to the theoret-
ical mixture ratio as possible. However, the basic mi xture ratio is not necessarily controlled as originally
designed. Both manufacturing differences (i.e., mass ai r flow sensor hot wire) and characteristic changes dur-
ing operation (i.e., fuel injector clogging) directly affect mixture ratio.
Accordingly, the difference between the basic and theoretical mixture ratios is monitored in this system. This is
then computed in terms of “injection pulse duration” to automatically compensate for the difference between
the two ratios.
“Fuel trim” refers to the feedback compensation value co mpared against the basic injection duration. Fuel trim
includes “short-term fuel trim” and “long-term fuel trim”.
“Short term fuel trim” is the short-term fuel compensati on used to maintain the mixture ratio at its theoretical
value. The signal from A/F sensor 1 indicates whether the mixture ratio is RICH or LEAN compared to the the-
oretical value. The signal then triggers a reduction in fuel volume if the mixture ratio is rich, and an increase in
fuel volume if it is lean.
“Long-term fuel trim” is overall fuel compensation carri ed out over time to compensate for continual deviation
of the “short-term fuel trim” from the central value. Continual deviation will occur due to individual engine differ-
ences, wear over time and changes in the usage environment.
FUEL INJECTION TIMING
Sequential Direct Injection Gasoline System
PBIB2793E
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

SYSTEMEC-39
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > [VK56VD]
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Fuel is injected into each cylinder during each engine cycle accord-
ing to the ignition order.
STRATIFIED-CHARGE START CONTROL
The use of the stratified-charge combustion met
hod enables emissions-reduction when starting the engine
with engine coolant temperature between 5 °C (41 °F) and 40 °C (104 °F).
FUEL SHUT-OFF
Fuel to each cylinder is shut-off during deceleration, operation of the engine at excessively high speed or oper-
ation of the vehicle at excessively high speed.
FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL
FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL : System DiagramINFOID:0000000006217701
FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL : System DescriptionINFOID:0000000006217702
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL CHART
JSBIA0407GB
JSBIA0315GB
Sensor Input signal to ECM ECM function Actuator
Crankshaft position sensor Engine speed
Fuel injection
& mixture ratio
controlHigh pressure fuel pump
Camshaft position sensor Camshaft position
Fuel rail pressure sensor Fuel rail pressure
Low fuel pressure sensor Low fuel pressure
Engine coolant temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature
Throttle position sensor Throttle position
Accelerator pedal position sensor Accelerator pedal position
Battery Battery voltage
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

SYSTEMEC-41
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > [VK56VD]
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COOLING FAN CONTROL : System DiagramINFOID:0000000006217703
COOLING FAN CONTROL : System DescriptionINFOID:0000000006217704
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL CHART
*1: The ECM determines the engine speed by the signals of crankshaft position and camshaft position.
*2: This signal is sent to ECM via the CAN communication line.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
 Based on a signal transmitted from each sensor, ECM calc
ulates a target fan speed responsive to a driving
condition. In addition, ECM calculates a fan pulley speed according to an engine speed and transmits a cool-
ing fan request signal to IPDM E/R via the CAN comm unication line to satisfy the target fan speed. Then,
IPDM E/R transmits ON/OFF pulse duty signal to electrically-controlled cooling fan coupling.
The cooling fan speed sensor detects a cooling f an speed and transmits the detection result to ECM.
 ECM judges the start signal state from the engine speed signal and battery voltage.
ELECTRIC IGNITION SYSTEM
JSBIA0237GB
Sensor Input signal to ECM ECM function Actuator
Crankshaft position sensor Engine speed*
1
Cooling fan speed request
signal*2
IPDM E/R
↓
Electrically-controlled cooling fan
coupling
Camshaft position sensor Camshaft position
Engine coolant temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature
Refrigerant pressure sensor Refrigerant pressure
Intake air temperature sensor Intake air temperature
Battery Battery voltage
Combination meter
Vehicle speed signal*
2
BCMA/C switch signal*2
Cooling fan speed sensor Cooling fan speed
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

EC-42
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >[VK56VD]
SYSTEM
ELECTRIC IGNITION SYSTEM : System Diagram
INFOID:0000000006217705
ELECTRIC IGNITION SYSTEM : System DescriptionINFOID:0000000006217706
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL CHART
*1: ECM determines the start signal status by the signals of engine speed and battery voltage.
*2: This signal is sent to the ECM via the CAN communication line.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Ignition order: 1 - 8 - 7 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 2
The ignition timing is controlled by the ECM to maintain the best air-fuel ratio for every running condition of the
engine. The ignition timing data is stored in the ECM.
The ECM receives information such as the injection pulse width and camshaft position sensor signal. Comput-
ing this information, ignition signals are transmitted to the power transistor.
During the following conditions, the ignition timing is re vised by the ECM according to the other data stored in
the ECM.
 At starting
 During warm-up
 At idle
 At low battery voltage
 During acceleration
The knock sensor retard system is designed only for emergencies. The basic ignition timing is programmed
within the anti-knocking zone, if recommended fuel is used under dry conditions. The retard system does not
operate under normal driving conditions. If engine knocking occurs, the knock sensor monitors the condition.
The signal is transmitted to the ECM. The ECM retards the ignition timing to eliminate the knocking condition.
JPBIA3271GB
Sensor Input signal to ECM ECM function Actuator
Crankshaft position sensor Engine speed*
1
Piston position
Ignition timing
controlIgnition coil
(with power transistor)
Camshaft position sensor
Mass air flow sensor Amount of intake air
Engine coolant temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature
Throttle position sensor Throttle position
Accelerator pedal position sensor Accelerator pedal position
TCM Gear position
Battery
Battery voltage*
1
Knock sensor Engine knocking condition
Combination meterVehicle speed*
2
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56

SYSTEMEC-43
< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > [VK56VD]
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INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL
INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL : System DiagramINFOID:0000000006217707
INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONT
ROL : System DescriptionINFOID:0000000006217708
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL CHART
*: This signal is sent to the ECM via the CAN communication line.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
This mechanism hydraulically controls cam phases c ontinuously with the fixed operating angle of the intake
valve.
The ECM receives signals such as crankshaft posit ion, camshaft position, engine speed, and engine coolant
temperature. Then, the ECM sends ON/OFF pulse duty signals to the intake valve timing control solenoid
valve depending on driving status. This makes it possible to control the shut/open timing of the intake valve to
increase engine torque in low/mid speed range and output in high speed range.
VVEL SYSTEM
JMBIA2174GB
Sensor Input signal to ECM ECM function Actuator
Crankshaft position sensor Engine speed and piston position
Intake valve timing
controlIntake valve timing control
solenoid valve
Camshaft position sensor
Engine oil temperature sensor Engine oil temperature
Engine coolant temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature
Combination meter Vehicle speed*
PBIB3276E
Revision: 2010 May2011 QX56