Abstract: A method for driving an electromagnetic load, particularly a solenoid valve that influences the fuel quantity to be injected into an internal combustion engine, the duration of the driving of the solenoid valve being correctable by a delay time, characterized in that the delay time can be specified as a function of the instantaneous value of the current to the desired switch-off procedure.

Abstract: Circuitry for monitoring the function of electric load, an output stage and a control circuit for driving the output stage and the lines that connect these elements. The circuitry includes at least one fault acquisition logic that is connected in parallel with the output stage. The fault acquisition logic has a terminal that connects to an input of the output stage and another terminal that connects to the output of the output stage. The fault acquisition logic also is connected to a reference potential. The fault acquisition logic has a comparator for comparing potentials for determining fault conditions. Detected fault conditions may be stored in a buffer memory that connects to a main memory. The buffer memory may also have a time delay associated with it. The circuitry also may include a coder for encoding signals indicative of the fault conditions that are detected by the fault acquisition logic. The circuitry may further include a safety disconnect to protect the output stage against overload.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for controlling a fuel metering apparatus controlled by a microprocessor and supplemented with an emergency control system. In the event of a microprocessor failure due to a defect, the system attempts to restart the microprocessor. At the same time, an emergency operation pulse generator assumes control of the fuel metering apparatus. Such an emergency control system is particularly suited for fuel metering apparatus which serve to control internal combustion engines for motor vehicles.