Abstract: A fault diagnostic system of a vehicle includes: a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a diagnostic module. The GPS receiver determines a location of the vehicle. The diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in a component of the vehicle. In response to the diagnosis of the fault, the diagnostic module stores diagnostic data in a computer readable medium. The diagnostic data includes both a predetermined diagnostic trouble code associated with the fault diagnosed and the location of the vehicle when the fault was diagnosed.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and vehicles are provided for providing diagnostics for a smart sensor, such as a direct current (DC) converter, for a vehicle. A result of a diagnostic test is received from the smart sensor at a first time. A sequence indicator is retrieved from memory. The sequence indicator pertains to a second time in which the diagnostic test is expected to be completed by the smart sensor. A health assessment is provided using the result via a processor, provided that the second time does not precede the first time. The health assessments may be linked individually to a diagnostic trouble code, or may be grouped together and linked as a group to a diagnostic trouble code. Multiple smart sensor health assessments may be grouped and linked to diagnostic trouble codes.

Abstract: Methods, program products, hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicles are provided for providing diagnostics for a direct current (DC) converter of the hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), the direct current (DC) converter, and a controller. The engine is automatically turned on and off based on driver inputs in accordance with an auto-stop feature. The RESS at least facilitates turning on the engine. The DC converter is coupled to the RESS. The controller is coupled to the DC converter, and is configured to determine a status of the engine, receive a DC converter voltage value from the DC converter, and provide diagnostics for the DC converter based on the engine status, RESS voltage, and the DC converter voltage.

Abstract: A method and control module for determining a sensor error includes a time-based diagnostic module generating a time-based diagnostic for a sensor and an event-based diagnostic module generating an event-based diagnostic for the sensor. A synchronizing module synchronizes the time-based diagnostic and the event-based diagnostic to obtain a diagnostic result. A fault indicator module generates a fault signal in response to the diagnostic result.

Abstract: A method for isolating voltage sensor errors from contactor errors in an electrical system includes measuring a voltage between ground and a voltage bus rail when a contactor is open, and comparing the measured voltage to a first threshold voltage corresponding to a calibrated voltage reading that is expected when the contactor is closed. A first diagnostic code is recorded with a stuck-in-range status for the sensor when the measured voltage is greater than 0 and less than the first threshold voltage. A second diagnostic code is recorded with a stuck-closed status for the contactor when the measured voltage is equal to the first threshold voltage. The measured voltage may be compared to a second threshold voltage that exceeds the first threshold voltage, with a third diagnostic code recorded with a shorted value for the sensor when the measured voltage exceeds the first threshold voltage or is less than 0.

Abstract: A distributed on-board diagnostic (OBD) architecture for a control system of a vehicle includes a plurality of control modules that are in communication with one another and a designated master OBD control module that is one of the plurality of control modules. The master OBD control module performs functions that a remainder of the plurality of control modules are incapable of performing including at least one of arbitrating a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) state, arbitrating and storing OBD freeze frame data and determining OBD status flags of the remainder of the plurality of control modules.

Abstract: Methods, program products, hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicles are provided for providing diagnostics for a direct current (DC) converter of the hybrid, and non-hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), the direct current (DC) converter, and a controller. The engine is automatically turned on and off based on driver inputs in accordance with an auto-stop feature. The RESS at least facilitates turning on the engine. The DC converter is coupled to the RESS. The controller is coupled to the DC converter, and is configured to determine a status of the engine, receive a DC converter voltage value from the DC converter, and provide diagnostics for the DC converter based on the engine status, RESS voltage, and the DC converter voltage.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and vehicles are provided for providing diagnostics for a smart sensor, such as a direct current (DC) converter, for a vehicle. A result of a diagnostic test is received from the smart sensor at a first time. A sequence indicator is retrieved from memory. The sequence indicator pertains to a second time in which the diagnostic test is expected to be completed by the smart sensor. A health assessment is provided using the result via a processor, provided that the second time does not precede the first time. The health assessments may be linked individually to a diagnostic trouble code, or may be grouped together and linked as a group to a diagnostic trouble code. Multiple smart sensor health assessments may be grouped and linked to diagnostic trouble codes.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, battery capacity of an electric vehicle can be automatically determined. In an exemplary method, an instruction is received to determine a battery capacity value and one or more vehicle accessories are activated to discharge the battery to a first charge level. When the first charge level is reached, a generator in the vehicle is started and used to charge the battery to a second charge level, after which the battery capacity value can be determined and stored. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the vehicle comprises a controller adapted to cause a battery to be discharged and charged to determine a capacity value of the battery. A plurality of accessories are configured to activate and deactivate responsive to the controller to discharge the battery, while a generator is responsive to the controller to charge the battery so that the controller can determine the battery capacity value.

Abstract: A control system includes an input that one of receives and transmits diagnostic data including a fault identifier and a fault status of the fault identifier, and a filter module that filters said diagnostic data based on a comparison of the diagnostic data and a data array, wherein the data array includes a dependent identifier and a corresponding root cause identifier. The control system may be included with one or more of a vehicle control module and a service tool. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed module includes a speed arbitration module that receives at least two of a wheel speed, a transmission output speed (TOS), and an electric motor speed (EMS), and that determines a vehicle speed based on a comparison of the at least two of the wheel speed, the TOS, and the EMS. A speed diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in one of a wheel speed sensor, a TOS sensor, and an EMS sensor based on the comparison.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a driver module and a diagnostics module. The driver module includes a high-side driver and a low-side driver, which selectively actuate a load. The driver module generates status signals based on detection of each of a plurality of failure modes of the high-side and low-side drivers. The diagnostics module increments a first error count for a first mode of the plurality of failure modes when the status signals indicate the driver module has detected the first mode. The diagnostics module increments a corresponding total count each time the driver module analyzes the first mode. The diagnostics module sets a fail state for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first error count for the first mode reaches a first predetermined threshold prior to the total count reaching a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a driver module and a diagnostics module. The driver module includes a high-side driver and a low-side driver, which selectively actuate a load. The driver module generates status signals based on detection of each of a plurality of failure modes of the high-side and low-side drivers. The diagnostics module increments a first error count for a first mode of the plurality of failure modes when the status signals indicate the driver module has detected the first mode. The diagnostics module increments a corresponding total count each time the driver module analyzes the first mode. The diagnostics module sets a fail state for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first error count for the first mode reaches a first predetermined threshold prior to the total count reaching a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and control module for determining a sensor error includes a time-based diagnostic module generating a time-based diagnostic for a sensor and an event-based diagnostic module generating an event-based diagnostic for the sensor. A synchronizing module synchronizes the time-based diagnostic and the event-based diagnostic to obtain a diagnostic result. A fault indicator module generates a fault signal in response to the diagnostic result.

Abstract: A control system includes an input that one of receives and transmits diagnostic data including a fault identifier and a fault status of the fault identifier, and a filter module that filters said diagnostic data based on a comparison of the diagnostic data and a data array, wherein the data array includes a dependent identifier and a corresponding root cause identifier. The control system may be included with one or more of a vehicle control module and a service tool. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed module includes a speed arbitration module that receives at least two of a wheel speed, a transmission output speed (TOS), and an electric motor speed (EMS), and that determines a vehicle speed based on a comparison of the at least two of the wheel speed, the TOS, and the EMS. A speed diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in one of a wheel speed sensor, a TOS sensor, and an EMS sensor based on the comparison.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle is provided. The system generally includes a first setup module that configures at least one data recording trigger based on data parameters received from at least one of a telematics system and a technician tool. A data logger module records and stores real-time vehicle data based on the at least one data recording trigger.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine is disclosed. The power distribution system includes an electric motor/generator, a vehicle accessory drive system comprising a first accessory, and a power distribution apparatus. The power distribution apparatus includes a first power transfer member comprising a first shaft, the first shaft being configured to transfer power to the engine and from the engine. The power distribution apparatus further includes a second power transfer member comprising a second shaft, the second shaft being configured to transfer power to the motor/generator and from the motor/generator. The power distribution apparatus further includes a third power transfer member comprising a third shaft, the third shaft being configured to transfer power to the accessory drive system to drive the first accessory. The power distribution apparatus further includes a first clutch and a second clutch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing a vehicle component that includes contacting a remote service center through a telematic module. The method and apparatus also includes diagnosing remotely a vehicle issue and servicing remotely said vehicle issue. Remotely servicing the vehicle saves cost and time when compared to bringing the vehicle to a vehicle service facility.

Abstract: A distributed on-board diagnostic (OBD) architecture for a control system of a vehicle includes a plurality of control modules that are in communication with one another and a designated master OBD control module that is one of the plurality of control modules. The master OBD control module performs functions that a remainder of the plurality of control modules are incapable of performing including at least one of arbitrating a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) state, arbitrating and storing OBD freeze frame data and determining OBD status flags of the remainder of the plurality of control modules.