Abstract: A system and method for detecting a plurality of vehicle conditions are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of inputs indicating a corresponding plurality of vehicle conditions, and a driver interface unit in communication with the inputs. The driver interface unit is operable to output one or more indicators associated with each vehicle condition, and to modify one of the indicators such that the driver interface unit outputs the modified indicator and the other indicators.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing or minimizing false back pressure faults caused by a new particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. When a new particulate filter is placed in an engine exhaust system, the normal back pressure threshold for the fault detection system is increased by a new filter offset amount. Back pressure faults at the normal level are not recorded for a limited period of engine operation and only records back pressure faults that exceed the normal back pressure threshold by the value of the new filter offset.

Abstract: A method for displaying engine fault conditions in a vehicle. The method includes monitoring at least one sensor, determining when at least one fault condition has occurred, and masking indication of the at least one fault condition from at least one fault display device in response to at least one instruction.

Abstract: An engine control module, and method for operating the same for controlling an internal combustion engine. The engine control module comprising a processor for executing instructions to controlled the engine. The engine control module partitioning its memory used to store calibration data. The memory is partitioned into user-changeable and non-user-changeable portions. Only the user-changeable portions are repeatedly backed up. These portions are backed up such that the engine control module can recreate valid calibration data when a memory failure has occured and the engine control module.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in the face of sensor failures and mechanical faults includes generating accurate substitute values for use by the engine control logic when EGR and VGT system-related sensors are diagnosed as having failed during operation, and maintaining controlled performance of the VGT system in the face of sensor failures or mechanical faults associated with the EGR or VGT system.

Abstract: A method and system for indirectly estimating ambient air temperature. The ambient air temperature is estimated based on filtering a temperature input from a turbocharger air inlet sensor. The filtering includes compensating for engine compartment temperature variations which vary relative to the actual ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for estimating engine torque loss due to a fan. A table of maximum fan torque losses is compiled at a plurality of engine speeds. An engine control unit (ECU) is configured with the table of maximum fan torque losses. A first maximum fan torque loss and a second maximum fan torque loss for an engine speed are retrieved from the table. A maximum fan torque loss for the engine speed is estimated by interpolating between the first maximum fan torque loss and the second maximum fan torque loss. An engine torque loss estimate is calculated by adjusting the maximum fan torque loss based on a set of predetermined fan characteristics.

Abstract: A system, storage medium, and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle which provides the operator with a particular operating capability for a specified time period, which time period is reestablished at a predefined interval, including determining whether the operator has tampered with the engine control system clock to obtain additional time for the particular operating capability. The system, storage medium, and method monitor the system clock and utilize one or more criteria to determine whether tampering has occurred. If the system clock has been tampered with, one or more additional steps are taken, including logging the tampering event, suspending any steps which would provide the particular operating capability to the operator for any additional time until the next interval, or until the engine has been returned to personnel authorized to reprogram the engine control.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a compression ignition internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with an idle shutdown feature to automatically stop the engine after idling for a period of time include determining whether the engine is being loaded and overriding the idle shutdown feature to keep the engine running when the engine is being loaded. In one embodiment, the present invention includes monitoring operating conditions to determine that the vehicle is stationary, monitoring the engine to determine the engine is idling, initiating a timer/counter to provide an indication of idling time, determining that the engine is operating in an auxiliary power mode, determining engine load, and automatically stopping the engine when the idling time exceeds a first threshold and the engine load is less than a second threshold.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for treating engine exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has an exhaust gas recirculation circuit which diverts engine exhaust gas from an engine exhaust gas manifold to an engine air intake manifold. An exhaust gas recirculation valve is further provided for controlling the amount of engine exhaust gas diverted toward the engine air intake manifold. Additionally, a small meter pump is provided to create a pressure differential sufficient to introduce a finely tunable and controllable amount of engine exhaust gas into the engine air intake manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a compression ignition internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with an idle shutdown feature to automatically stop the engine after idling for a period of time include determining whether the engine is being loaded and overriding the idle shutdown feature to keep the engine running when the engine is being loaded. In one embodiment, the present invention includes monitoring operating conditions to determine that the vehicle is stationary, monitoring the engine to determine the engine is idling, initiating a timer/counter to provide an indication of idling time, determining that the engine is operating in an auxiliary power mode, determining engine load, and automatically stopping the engine when the idling time exceeds a first threshold and the engine load is less than a second threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an electronic engine controller to automatically start the engine at a programmable day/date and time include determining a current day/date and time, comparing the current day/date and time to a day/date and time previously stored in the programmable memory for automatically starting the engine, determining whether current conditions are acceptable for automatically starting the engine, and controlling the engine to automatically start the engine beginning at the programmed day/date and time. In one embodiment, a remotely located computer transmits a signal to coordinate automatic starting of a plurality of engines, such as in a truck/bus fleet, or for construction equipment at a construction site. Security features are provided to reduce the possibility of unauthorized use/theft of a vehicle or other equipment after being automatically started.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic control module disposed on a vehicle and operative to record in a memory a plurality of data items among a plurality of pages, and a computer program for execution by the electronic control module are disclosed. The plurality of data items include at least one event item and at least one accumulation item for the vehicle. In operation, recording of the at least one event item is disabled in a selected page of a plurality of pages in response to receiving a stop recording page signal associated with the selected page. All event items and all accumulation items for the selected page are then erased to eliminate historical data. Subsequent accumulation items may then be recorded in the selected page. Synchronization of the accumulation items and event items is re-established by erasing all historical accumulation items from the selected page when the selected page recording is reenabled.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle which allows the vehicle operator to manually request a vehicle speed in excess of the established vehicle speed limit that includes establishing a normal vehicle speed limit, establishing a passing duration period, establishing a passing override reset interval, and controlling the engine in response to operator input to provide a greater vehicle speed for a cumulative period not greater than the passing duration period at any time during the passing override reset interval. The system and method may include the capability of establishing a passing speed increment and controlling the vehicle speed during passing to limit the vehicle to a speed not exceeding the normal vehicle speed limit plus the passing speed increment.

Abstract: A method of limiting engine control delays in an internal combustion engine having an electronic engine controller with an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) for storing data. A timer and/or a counter may be used to limit re-attempts to write data to the EEPROM upon engine shutdown. If a predetermined time set by the timer for writing to the EEPROM has been exceeded, the system terminates the engine shutdown data write and allows the controller to switch to its low power mode. The counter counts the number of unsuccessful attempts to write to the EEPROM. If the number of unsuccessful attempts to write to the EEPROM exceeds the predetermined number of attempts, the system indicates that there has been a gross failure of the EEPROM and allows the engine control module to be switched to the low power mode. Both a timer and counter may be employed in the system.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery in an internal combustion engine includes enabling split injection status without subjection to a temperature comparison while the engine operates in the start mode, and enabling split injection status without subjection to a time limit while the engine operates in the idle normal mode, but with subjection to the temperature comparison in the idle normal mode. In the method, a temperature threshold is established, an engine operating temperature is monitored, the engine operating temperature is compared to the temperature threshold. Further, the engine is operated in the start mode, and at that time, the split injection status is enabled without subjection to the temperature comparison.

Abstract: A real-time maintenance alert system and method for use in a heavy-duty truck having an engine controller with memory are provided. The system includes a sensor operative to indicate an engine condition from the group consisting of: oil filter restriction, air filter restriction, fuel filter restriction, oil level, and coolant reserve tank fluid level. Control logic at the engine controller processes the sensor signal to determine a real-time fault condition, when appropriate.