Abstract: A method of determining a cylinder that has a failure in an engine includes accessing an on-board information system associated with the engine; retrieving data from the on-board information system; filtering the data to derive at target data; and decoding the target data to determine a number of a failed cylinder and the cylinder's corresponding cylinder rating. A system for determining a cylinder that has a failure in an engine includes an access module, a retrieve module, a filter module, and a decode module. The access module accesses an on-board information system associated with the engine. The retrieve module retrieves data from the on-board information system. The filter module filters the data to derive at target data. The decode module decodes the target data to determine a number of a failed cylinder and the cylinder's corresponding cylinder rating.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a contribution of a cylinder to an engine includes measuring a first revolutions per minute of the engine during an enabled state; determining a dwell period of the cylinder; applying a direct current voltage signal into a negative terminal of an ignition coil of the engine during the dwell period to disable the cylinder and create a disabled state; and measuring a second revolutions per minute of the engine during the disabled state. A system for evaluating a contribution of a cylinder to an engine includes a first measure module, a determine module, an apply module, and a second measure module. The first measure module measures a first revolutions per minute of the engine during an enabled state. The determine module determines a dwell period of the cylinder. The apply module applies a direct current voltage signal into a negative terminal of an ignition coil of the engine during the dwell period to disable the cylinder and create a disabled state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for balancing vehicle driveshafts. One embodiment of a method according to the present invention comprises analyzing a driveshaft and determining a balancing vector to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft. A determination is then made of the appropriate location on the driveshaft for mounting a weight to counter said imbalance and the weight is mounted to the driveshaft. An apparatus for balancing a driveshaft according to the present invention comprises one or more primary balancing weights capable of being mounted to pinion flange holes in a vehicle driveshaft. One or more secondary balancing weights are also included, each of which is capable of being mounted to, or held by, one of the primary weights. The primary weights and secondary weights are mounted to the pinion flange to provide a weight to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for balancing vehicle driveshafts. One embodiment of a method according to the present invention comprises analyzing a driveshaft and determining a balancing vector to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft. A determination is then made of the appropriate location on the driveshaft for mounting a weight to counter said imbalance and the weight is mounted to the driveshaft. An apparatus for balancing a driveshaft according to the present invention comprises one or more primary balancing weights capable of being mounted to pinion flange holes in a vehicle driveshaft. One or more secondary balancing weights are also included, each of which is capable of being mounted to, or held by, one of the primary weights. The primary weights and secondary weights are mounted to the pinion flange to provide a weight to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft.