Abstract: A vehicle ignition system is provided that alleviates the problems associated with excessive voltage demand by spark plugs. The ignition system has a spark plug with an electrode and a voltage relief feature operatively connected with the electrode. The voltage relief feature is operable to discharge current from the electrode at a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A control system includes an engine mode transition module that initiates a deactivated mode to deactivate at least one cylinder. A scheduling module schedules a command to disable a spark plug at least one engine cycle after a command to disable a fuel injector for the at least one cylinder.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement module that deactivates N of M cylinders of an engine during a fuel management mode. N is an integer and M is an integer greater than 1. A spark control module generates a spark timing signal for the N cylinders based on a pre-dwell time and a fuel management dwell modifier during the fuel management mode. The spark control module reduces dwell time of the N cylinders during the fuel management mode based on the fuel management dwell modifier.

Abstract: A control system includes an engine mode transition module that initiates a deactivated mode to deactivate at least one cylinder. A scheduling module schedules a command to disable a spark plug at least one engine cycle after a command to disable a fuel injector for the at least one cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition system is provided that alleviates the problems associated with excessive voltage demand by spark plugs. The ignition system has a spark plug with an electrode and a voltage relief feature operatively connected with the electrode. The voltage relief feature is operable to discharge current from the electrode at a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement module that deactivates N of M cylinders of an engine during a fuel management mode. N is an integer and M is an integer greater than 1. A spark control module generates a spark timing signal for the N cylinders based on a pre-dwell time and a fuel management dwell modifier during the fuel management mode. The spark control module reduces dwell time of the N cylinders during the fuel management mode based on the fuel management dwell modifier.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided that includes a rotor having a plurality of coaxial rotor laminations, a conductive end ring adjacent the rotor laminations that establishes an axial end of the rotor; and a target member supported by the end ring and rotatable with the rotor. A sensor is operable to monitor, for example, speed and/or angular position of the target member as the rotor rotates. A method of forming a motor assembly includes providing a sensor target and a sensor operable to determine the position of the sensor target. The method includes connecting the sensor target with a motor rotor end ring such that the sensor target is supported by the motor rotor end ring for common rotation therewith and may be sensed by the sensor. Connecting the sensor target to the end ring may be by overcasting the sensor target onto the motor rotor end ring.

Abstract: Preignition in an engine is prevented by identifying engine conditions that relate to autoignition. If one or more of the engine conditions exceed a threshold, a controller retards the spark in the engine. The controller detects whether autoignition occurs in the engine due to the retarded spark advance. If autoignition is detected, the controller corrects the one or more engine conditions by at least one of reducing a throttle opening, cutting of fuel to a cylinder, adjusting a camshaft phase, and storing a diagnostic code.