Discovery II
ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-51
Conditions
The ECM calculates ignition timing using input from the following:
l
CKP sensor.
l
Knock sensors (KS).
l
MAF sensor.
l
TP sensor (idle only).
l
ECT sensor.
Function
At engine start up, the ECM sets ignition timing dependent on ECT information and starting rev/min from the CKP. As
the running characteristics of the engine change, the ignition timing changes. The ECM compares the CKP signal to
stored values in its memory, and if necessary advances or retards the spark via the ignition coils.
Ignition timing is used by the ECM for knock control.
Knock control
The ECM uses active knock control to prevent possible engine damage due to pre-ignition. This is achieved by
converting engine block noise into a suitable electrical signal that can be processed by the ECM. A major contributing
factor to engine 'knock' is fuel quality, the ECM can function satisfactorily on 91 RON fuel as well as the 95 RON fuel
that it is calibrated for.
Conditions
The ECM knock control system operates as follows:
l
Hot running engine.
l
91 or 95 RON fuel.
Function
The ECM knock control uses two sensors located one between the centre two cylinders of each bank. The knock
sensors consist of piezo ceramic crystals that oscillate to create a voltage signal. During pre-ignition, the frequency
of crystal oscillation increases which alters the signal output to the ECM.
If the knock sensors detect pre-ignition in any of the cylinders, the ECM retards the ignition timing by 3
°
for that
particular cylinder. If this action stops the engine knock, the ignition timing is restored to its previous figure in
increments of 0.75
°
. If this action does not stop engine knock then the ECM retards the ignition timing a further 3
°
up
to a maximum of -15
°
and then restores it by 0.75
°
and so on until the engine knock is eliminated.
The ECM also counteracts engine knock at high intake air temperatures by retarding the ignition as above. The ECM
uses the IAT signal to determine air temperature.
Idle speed control
The ECM regulates the engine speed at idling. The ECM uses the idle air control valve (IACV) to compensate for the
idle speed drop that occurs when the engine is placed under greater load than usual. When the throttle is in the rest
position i.e. it has not been pressed, the majority of intake air that the engine consumes comes from the idle air control
valve.
IACV control idle speed
Conditions in which the ECM operates the IACV control idle speed is as follows:
l
If any automatic transmission gears other than P or N are selected.
l
If air conditioning is switched on.
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If cooling fans are switched on.
l
Any electrical loads activated by the driver.
Function
The idle air control valve utilises two coils that use opposing pulse width modulated (PWM) signals to control the
position of a rotary valve. If one of the circuits that supplies the PWM signal fails, the ECM closes down the remaining
signal preventing the idle air control valve from working at its maximum/ minimum setting. If this should occur, the idle
air control valve assumes a default idle position at which the engine idle speed is raised to 1200 rev/min with no load
placed on the engine.
