FixVault

Electronic Throttle Control

The Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system uses a strategy that delivers engine shaft torque, based on driver demand, utilizing an electronically controlled throttle body. ETC strategy was developed mainly to improve fuel economy. This is possible by decoupling throttle angle (produces engine torque) from pedal position (driver demand). This allows the powertrain control strategy to optimize fuel control and transmission shift schedules while delivering the requested engine or wheel torque.

Fig 1: Mode $06 Data For Gen 3/ Gen 4 ETC System
G00574765Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Because safety is a major concern with ETC systems, a complex safety monitor strategy (hardware and software) was developed. The monitor system is distributed across two processors: the main powertrain control processor and a monitoring processor called a Quizzer processor.

The primary monitoring function is performed by the Independent Plausibility Check (IPC) software, which resides on the main processor. It is responsible for determining the driver-demanded torque and comparing it to an estimate of the actual torque delivered. If the generated torque exceeds driver demand by specified amount, the IPC takes appropriate mitigating action.

Since the IPC and main controls share the same processor, they are subject to a number of potential, common failure modes. Therefore, the Quizzer processor was added to redundantly monitor selected PCM inputs and to act as an intelligent watchdog and monitor the performance of the IPC and the main processor. If it determines that the IPC function is impaired in any way, it takes appropriate Failure Mode and Effects Management (FMEM) actions.

ETC SYSTEM FAILURE MODE AND EFFECTS MANAGEMENT

Effect  Failure Mode 
No Effect on Driveability A loss of redundancy or loss of a non-critical input could result in a fault that does not affect driveability. The Wrench light will turn on, but the throttle control and torque control systems will function normally.
RPM Guard w/ Pedal Follower In this mode, torque control is disabled due to the loss of a critical sensor or PCM fault. The throttle is controlled in pedal-follower mode as a function of the pedal position sensor input only. A maximum allowed RPM is determined based on pedal position (RPM Guard.) If the actual RPM exceeds this limit, spark and fuel are used to bring the RPM below the limit. The wrench light and the MIL are turned on in this mode and an ETC component causal code is set. EGR, VCT, and IMRC outputs are set to default values.
RPM Guard w/ Default Throttle In this mode, the throttle plate control is disabled due to the loss of Throttle Position, the Throttle Plate Position Controller, or other major ETC system fault. A default command is sent to the (e) TPPC, or the H-bridge is disabled. Depending on the fault detected, the throttle plate is controlled or springs to the default (limp home) position. A maximum allowed RPM is determined based on pedal position (RPM Guard.) If the actual RPM exceeds this limit, spark and fuel are used to bring the RPM below the limit. The wrench light and the MIL are turned on in this mode and an ETC component causal code is set. EGR, VCT, and IMRC outputs are set to default values.
SLOWE / BOA This mode is caused by the loss of 1 or 2 pedal position sensor inputs due to sensor, wiring, or PCM faults. For a single sensor fault, driver demand is rate limited based on input from the remaining good sensor. For a dual sensor fault, driver demand is ramped to a fixed pedal position (high idle RPM) and there is no response to the driver input. If the brake pedal is applied for either a single or dual sensor fault, the engine returns to a normal idle RPM. The wrench light is turned on in this mode, and an accelerator pedal sensor causal code is set.
PCM Reset
(Bosch CY320 or Conti ATIC Quizzer hardware only)
If a significant processor fault is detected, the monitor will attempt to mitigate the fault by forcing a PCM reset. If the fault clears after the reset, then the vehicle will continue running. If the fault persists, then the monitor will force another reset. This will continue until the fault clears or until the PCM exceeds the maximum number of resets allowed. If this occurs, the PCM is held in reset, and the engine does not run. The maximum number of resets allowed depends on the PCM supplier and the type of fault detected. The wrench light and MIL are turned on in this mode, and the appropriate processor P-code will set.
NOTE: The wrench light illuminates or an ETC message is displayed on the message center immediately. The MIL illuminates after 2 driving cycles.

Accelerator, Brake and Throttle Position Sensor Inputs 

ON-DEMAND KOEO / KOER SENSOR CHECK OPERATION

DTCs P1124 - TP A out of self-test range (non-MIL)
P1575 - APP out of self-test range (non-MIL)
P1703 - Brake switch out of self-test range (non-MIL)
Monitor execution On-demand
Monitor Sequence None
Sensors OK not applicable
Monitoring Duration < 1 seconds to register a malfunction
ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR CHECK OPERATION

DTCs P2122, P2123 - APP D circuit continuity (wrench light, non-MIL)
P2127, P2128 - APP E circuit continuity (wrench light, non-MIL)
P2138 - APP D/E circuit disagreement (wrench light, non-MIL)
Monitor Execution continuous
Monitor Sequence none
Sensors OK not applicable
Monitoring Duration < 1 seconds to register a malfunction
APP SENSOR CHECK MALFUNCTION THRESHOLDS

Circuit continuity - Voltage < 0.25 volts or voltage > 4.75 volts
Range/performance - disagreement between sensors > 0.9 degrees
For B-car architecture: Circuit continuity - Voltage < 0.6 volts or >11.4 volts for PWM input
BRAKE SWITCH CHECK OPERATION

DTCs P0504 - Brake switch A/B correlation (wrench light, non-MIL)
P0572 - Brake switch circuit low (wrench light, non-MIL)
P0573 - Brake switch circuit high (wrench light, non-MIL)
Monitor execution Continuous
Monitor Sequence None
Sensors OK not applicable
Monitoring Duration > 25 brake application cycles to register a malfunction
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHECK OPERATION

DTCs P0122, P0123 - TP A circuit continuity (MIL, wrench light)
P0222, P0223 - TP B circuit continuity (MIL, wrench light)
P2135 - TP A / TP B correlation (non-MIL, wrench light)
Monitor execution Continuous
Monitor Sequence none
Sensors OK not applicable
Monitoring Duration < 1 seconds to register a malfunction
TP SENSOR CHECK MALFUNCTION THRESHOLDS

Circuit continuity - Voltage < 0.25 volts or voltage > 4.75 volts
Correlation and range/performance - disagreement between sensors > 7 degrees

Electronic Throttle Monitor 

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MONITOR OPERATION

DTCs U0300 - ETC software version mismatch, IPC, Quizzer or TPPC (MIL, wrench light)
P0600 - Serial Communication Link (MIL, wrench light)
P060A - Internal control module monitoring processor performance (MIL, wrench light)
P060B - Internal control module A/D processing performance (MIL, wrench light)
P060C - Internal control module main processor performance (MIL, wrench light)
P060D - Internal control module accelerator pedal performance (non-MIL, wrench)
P061A - Internal control module torque performance (non-MIL, wrench light for cruise fault, no wrench light for torque clipping)
P061B - Internal control module torque calculation performance (MIL, wrench light)
P061C - Internal control module engine rpm performance (MIL, wrench light)
P061D - Internal control module engine air mass performance (MIL, wrench light)
P061E - Internal control module brake signal performance (non-MIL, wrench light)
P062B - Internal control module fuel injector control performance (MIL for Conti PCM only)
P062C - Internal control module vehicle speed performance (non-MIL, wrench light)
P164C - Internal control module stop/start performance (non-MIL, wrench light)
P1674 - Internal control module software corrupted (MIL, wrench light
P26C4 - Internal control module clutch pedal performance (non-MIL)
U1013 - Transmission control module secure net error (non-MIL)
Monitor execution Continuous
Monitor Sequence None
Sensors OK Not Applicable
Monitoring Duration < 1 seconds to register a malfunction

Throttle Plate Position Controller (TPPC) Outputs 

The purpose of the TPPC is to control the throttle position to the desired throttle angle. The current ETC systems have the eTPPC function integrated in the main PCM processor.

The desired angle is relative to the hard-stop angle. The hard-stop angle is learned during each key-up process before the main CPU requests the throttle plate to be closed against the hard-stop. The output of the (e)TPPC is a voltage request to the H-driver (also in PCM). The H driver is capable of positive or negative voltage to the Electronic Throttle Body Motor.

THROTTLE PLATE CONTROLLER AND ACTUATOR OPERATION

DTCs P2107 - processor test (MIL, wrench light)
P2111 - throttle actuator system stuck open (MIL, wrench light)
P2112 - throttle actuator system stuck closed (MIL, wrench light)
P2101 - throttle actuator range/performance test (MIL, wrench light)
P115E - throttle actuator airflow trim at max limit (non-MIL)
Monitor execution Continuous
Monitor Sequence None
Monitoring Duration < 5 seconds to register a malfunction