Abstract: A method and a system for reducing belt noise in an engine, wherein the belt is engaged with an alternator includes a transmission upshift detection module determining a transmission upshift or a quickly closing throttle detection module determining a quickly closing throttle. The control module further includes an engine speed prediction module determining a predicted engine speed in response to determining a transmission upshift and an engine deceleration prediction module determining a predicted engine deceleration when the predicted deceleration of the engine crankshaft is greater than a threshold. An alternator control module controls a rotor current in the alternator to add load to the alternator rotor to reduce potential belt noise.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for receiving in-vehicle information regarding diesel fuel cloud point condition. The method includes establishing communication between a telematics unit in a vehicle and i) a global positioning system device, ii) a call center including a database, and iii) a cloud point monitoring device in the vehicle. The telematics unit receives from at least one of i, ii, or iii, information pertaining to vehicle location, cloud point, and ambient temperature. The telematics unit determines from the information whether fuel in a fuel system of the vehicle is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The telematics unit then transmits an in-vehicle alert when the fuel in the vehicle fuel system is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The disclosure also relates to a system for performing the method.

Abstract: A crankshaft reversal detection system includes a sensor module and a control module that communicates with the sensor module. The sensor module detects position of a belt tensioner that communicates with a crankshaft driven accessory drive belt. The control module determines a rotational direction of the crankshaft pulley based on the position of the belt tensioner.

Abstract: A control system comprising a spark knock detection module that detects a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and a torque control module that selectively regulates an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock. A method comprising detecting a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and selectively regulating an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a loss of high-voltage isolation within a hybrid, electric, or fuel cell vehicle. The method includes recording the equivalent resistance between a vehicle chassis and a high-voltage bus, detecting a trend in the measurements, and predicting when the resistance will drop below a threshold value. The method also includes issuing a warning or message to the owner/operator when the predicted remaining number of events drops below a predetermined number and/or when the resistance drops below the threshold. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for predicting a high-voltage isolation fault comprising a controller having an algorithm for predicting the fault, a high-voltage bus and bus components, and a reporting device for reporting the fault and/or predetermined number of remaining events. The controller is configured to initiate the algorithm and record a series of equivalent resistance measurements taken between the vehicle chassis and high-voltage bus.

Abstract: An engine oil system comprises an oil condition sensing device and a control module. The oil condition sensing device includes an electrically actuated member and is in fluid communication with an engine oil reservoir. The control module selectively causes current to be supplied to the oil condition sensing device to actuate the member, measures the current, determines a parameter of the current, and selectively identifies at least two of an oil level, an oil change event, and an oil viscosity level based on the parameter.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension wear prediction and indication method includes processing data inputs from a suspension system and converting the data inputs into a cumulative wear estimate. The data inputs are selected to model a magnitude factor and a duration factor related to the operation of the suspension system.

Abstract: An engine control module includes a valve control module that disables intake and exhaust valves corresponding to a cylinder that includes a mass of intake air. An engine cycle module determines a number of engine cycles that occurred while the cylinder is disabled. An air estimation module determines a remaining mass of air in the cylinder based on the number of engine cycles.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for an active fuel management (AFM) solenoid of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes: a command module that selectively commands a solenoid signal to energize and de-energize the AFM solenoid, a timer module that activates a timer based on a status of the solenoid signal, and a fault module that selectively diagnoses a fault of the AFM solenoid based on the timer and a knock sensor signal.

Abstract: A control system and method for detecting a hydraulic system leak in an engine includes a pressure sensor that senses a first pressure reading of a hydraulic fluid supply at a first time and a second pressure reading of said hydraulic fluid supply at a second time. A comparison module calculates a pressure ratio based on the first and second pressure readings and signals a fault condition based on a relationship between the pressure ratio and a pressure threshold.

Abstract: An engine oil viscosity measurement system is provided. The system includes: a solenoid response module that determines an actual response time based on a position signal; an expected response module that determines an expected response time based on a system voltage and engine oil temperature; and a diagnostic module that diagnoses viscosity of the engine oil based on the actual response time and the expected response time.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for an active fuel management (AFM) solenoid of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes: a command module that selectively commands a solenoid signal to energize and de-energize the AFM solenoid, a timer module that activates a timer based on a status of the solenoid signal, and a fault module that selectively diagnoses a fault of the AFM solenoid based on the timer and a knock sensor signal.

Abstract: A diagnostic system that detects a faulty lifter oil manifold assembly solenoid includes a current measurement module, a time delay module, a voltage measurement module, and a diagnostic module. The current measurement module measures current flowing through the solenoid when a trigger signal is enabled. The time delay module determines a time delay based on the measured current. The voltage measurement module measures a supply voltage that powers the solenoid. The diagnostic module determines whether the solenoid is faulty based on the time delay and supply voltage.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand (DOD) engine includes an impulse charging device that is disposed upstream of an intake port of a cylinder of the DOD engine and that is operable to regulate air flow into the cylinder. A first module initiates impulse charging to regulate air flow into the cylinder when a desired engine torque output nears a first threshold engine torque output during engine operation in the deactivated mode.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in high-output (HO) and fuel-economy (FE) modes in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine includes an alternator that is driven by the engine and that is regulated by a load control signal. An alternator load control module generates the load control signal based on an engine torque to regulate a load of the alternator on the engine to maintain the engine torque below a threshold level and maintain engine operation in the FE mode.

Abstract: A response time compensation system for controlling engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine includes a LOMA system that regulates pressurized fluid flow to switch engine operation between the activated and the deactivated modes and a count module that monitors a cycle count of the LOMA system. A response factor module determines a response factor of the LOMA system based on the cycle count and a compensation module generates a compensated response time of the LOMA system based on the response factor.

Abstract: A method of determining diagnostic limits for a vane position sensing system installed in a variable nozzle turbocharger (VNT). The method includes defining mechanical input probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the VNT, describing the vane position sensing system in terms of component models and defining component parameter PDFs for parameters associated with the component models. Vane position signal PDFs based are generated on the mechanical input PDFs, the component models and the component parameter PDFs, and diagnostic limits are set for the vane position sensing system based on the vane position signal PDFs.

Abstract: A method of creating a solenoid temperature estimator includes operating a solenoid based on a data point including a plurality of operating parameters and determining a temperature of the solenoid. The method further includes recording steady-state values for the temperature and each of the plurality of operating parameters and generating the solenoid temperature estimator based on the steady-state values.

Abstract: An engine control system controls engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The engine control system includes an alternator that is driven by the engine and that is regulated by a load control signal. An alternator load control module generates the load control signal based on a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and an energy storage device state of charge to regulate a load of the alternator on the engine to maintain the MAP below a threshold level and within an efficient operating range.