Abstract: A system for automatically selecting an oil pressure sensor processing algorithm based on oil pressure sensor type includes an oil pressure sensing device producing an signal indicative of engine oil pressure, and electrically connected to one of an analog and a switch input of a control computer. The control computer is configured to identify the oil pressure sensing device as an analog oil pressure sensor and process the oil pressure signal according a corresponding signal processing algorithm if a voltage level at the analog input is within a predefined voltage range while a voltage level at the switch input is at or near a first voltage level, and to identify the oil pressure sensing device as an oil pressure switch and process the oil pressure signal according a corresponding signal processing algorithm if the voltage level at the switch input is at or near a second voltage level.

Abstract: A system for controlling ignition energy of an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil coupled to first and second electrodes of an ignition plug defining a spark gap therebetween, wherein the primary coil is operable to induce a spark voltage across the secondary coil and across the spark gap. The secondary coil is responsive to the spark voltage to produce a discharge current across the spark gap of the ignition plug. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, means are provided for controllably shunting the primary coil to thereby control the duration of discharge current across the spark gap of the ignition plug. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, means are further provided for drawing discharge current away from the ignition plug to thereby limit the magnitude of the discharge current within some time period after the transfer of energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil begins.

Abstract: An electronic engine control monitors engine speed, vehicle speed and determines various engine RPM values and RPM ranges used in fueling a molar vehicle engine to achieve desired engine speeds prior to and during an automatic gear shift sequence. The engine is coupled to a manual/automatic transmission that includes manually selectable gear operation modes and automatically selectable gear operation modes. In order to assist gear engagement of the automatically selectable gears, the engine is fueled to a series of predetermined RPM levels to rock the transmission gears into engagement. In so doing, throttle control by the operator is first inhibited and the engine is first governed to a synchronous RPM value. Throttle control is returned to the operator if gear engagement is verified within a first predetermined delay period.

Abstract: An electronic engine control controls the selection and confirmation of automatically selectable gears in a manual/automatic transmission. Failure to disengage the engine from the transmission within a predetermined time period, failure to reach a predetermined synchronous engine RPM window within another predetermined time period and failure to confirm gear engagement within yet another predetermined time period are three automatic shift failure modes which may cause an automatic shift attempt to fail or be aborted. A fourth automatic shift failure may occur if the clutch pedal is depressed during an automatic shift attempt. If any of the foregoing automatic shift failure mechanisms is detected, an error recovery algorithm which forms a part of the present invention determines the easiest/safest transmission gear to command to prevent the driver from having to manually attempt to engage the transmission after a failed automatic shift attempt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after a power reset is provided. Within a predetermined time period after a power reset, the current commanded transmission gear is held, or alternatively the highest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded, until an accurate determination of the vehicle speed can be made. If the vehicle speed is thereafter determined to be below a minimum vehicle speed value, the transmission is commanded to the neutral position, or alternatively, the lowest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded. If the vehicle speed is above the minimum vehicle speed value, or alternatively, above a maximum vehicle speed value, then the transmission is commanded to the highest of the electronically selectable gears. In either case, further electronic shifts are inhibited for a predetermined time period after recovery from the power reset is accomplished.

Abstract: An electronic engine control monitors engine speed, vehicle speed and determines various engine RPM values and RPM ranges used in fueling a motor vehicle engine to achieve desired engine speeds prior to and during an automatic gear shift sequence. The engine is coupled to a manual/automatic transmission that includes manually selectable gear ratio operation modes and automatically selectable gear ratio operation modes. In order to verify engagement of the automatically selectable gear ratio operation modes, a predetermined reverse torque is introduced into the drivetrain by fueling the engine to certain predetermined levels after an automatic gear shift sequence begins and monitoring engine speed to test whether engine speed is within calculated synchronous engine speed ranges corresponding to the gear ratio of the desired automatically selectable gear ratio operation mode.