FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Part 2







Outside temperature sensor




The function of the outside temperature sensor is to detect the vehicle's ambient temperature. The ambient temperature is required so that the engine control module (ECM) can regulate, among other things:
- the engine cooling fan (FC)
- the air conditioning (A/C) compressor's displacement.
The ambient temperature is also used as a substitute value in the event of a fault in certain components or functions and to control certain diagnostic functions.
The engine control module (ECM) supplies other control modules with the current outside temperature by transmitting information on the controller area network (CAN).
The temperature sensor is a resistor with a negative temperature coefficient, so called NTC type. It is supplied with power from the control module.
The resistance in the sensor changes according to the ambient temperature of the vehicle. This provides the engine control module (ECM) with a signal of between 0-5 V. Low temperature results in high resistance (high voltage). High temperature results in low resistance (low voltage).
The outside temperature sensor is positioned in the left door mirror.
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the outside temperature sensor. The sensor value can be read off using the diagnostic tool.

Engine coolant level sensor




The function of the engine coolant level sensor is to alert the driver if the engine coolant level in the expansion tank is too low.
The sensor is a magnetic reed switch, which is enclosed in a pipe on the bottom of the expansion tank. Around the pipe, on the inside of the expansion tank is a float. This float contains a magnet. When the engine coolant level is above minimum, the float is too high in the tank to affect the switch. However if the engine coolant level falls below the minimum level, the magnetic field acts on the switch.
The sensor is supplied with voltage (signal) from the engine control module (ECM) and grounded in the body. When the engine coolant level in the expansion tank is over a certain level the circuit closes, which produces a low signal. When the engine coolant level is below a certain level the circuit is opened by the engine coolant level sensor, which produces a high signal. When the engine control module (ECM) detects a high signal the information about low engine coolant level is transmitted via the Controller area network (CAN) to the driver information module (DIM), which warns the driver.

Note! There are no functions controlled by the engine which are directly connected to the low coolant level warning lamp. The Engine Control Module (ECM) only transfers the signal which is used by the Driver Information Module (DIM).

The engine control module (ECM) cannot diagnose the engine coolant level sensor.

Oil pressure switch




The function of the oil pressure switch is to warn the driver about low oil pressure via the driver information module (DIM).
The oil pressure switch has a pressure sensing switch which is powered (signal) by the engine control module (ECM) and grounded in the cylinder block. The oil pressure switch is affected by the oil pressure of the engine.
When the oil pressure exceeds a certain value, the switch in the oil pressure switch will open. A high signal is then sent to the engine control module (ECM).
If the oil pressure is below a certain value, the switch in the oil pressure switch will close and a low signal will be sent to the engine control module (ECM). The engine control module (ECM) then transmits a CAN signal to the driver information module (DIM) to light the indicator lamp for low oil pressure.
The oil pressure sensor is on the cylinder block.
The engine control module (ECM) cannot diagnose the oil pressure switch.

Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, intake




The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor detects quick pressure changes in the intake manifold after the throttle. The signal from the sensor is used by the engine control module (ECM) to supplement the mass air flow (MAF) sensor when calculating injection period.
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor intake is located on the upper rear edge of the engine (passenger compartment side).
The semi-conductor sensor is grounded in the control module and is supplied with power from the control module.
The resistance in the intake manifold moves the silicone membrane in the sensor, giving a signal of 0.5 - 4.5 V to the control module. Low pressure results in low voltage, high pressure gives high voltage.
The pressure sensor can be diagnosed by the engine control module (ECM) and the sensor signal can be read off.

Fuel pressure sensor / fuel temperature sensor




Overview
The fuel pressure, fuel temperature sensor is combined and consists of both the fuel pressure sensor and the fuel temperature sensor. The sensor detects the fuel pressure (the absolute pressure) and the temperature of the fuel in the fuel rail.
The fuel pressure sensor is on the right-hand end of the fuel rail.
The fuel pressure-/fuel temperature sensor can be diagnosed by the engine control module (ECM) and its signals (pressure and temperature) can be read off.
Fuel pressure sensor
The pressure sensor is a Piezo resistive type resistor, the resistance of which changes with the pressure. Depending on the pressure in the fuel rail, an analog signal of 0 - 5 V is transmitted to the engine control module (ECM). Low pressure results in low voltage, high pressure gives high voltage.
The engine control module (ECM) then uses this signal to adjust the pressure in the fuel rail using the fuel pump control module. See also: Function Function
The pressure sensor is supplied with 5 V and grounded in the engine control module (ECM). The pressure sensor transmits a signal indicating the fuel pressure to the engine control module (ECM) on a separate cable.

Note! The absolute pressure is displayed when using parameter read outs to read off the fuel pressure. If there is no pressure at the fuel rail, the atmospheric pressure will be displayed.

Hint: The relative pressure (absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure) is displayed when reading off the fuel pressure via a manometer connected to the fuel rail.

Fuel temperature sensor
The temperature sensor is an NTC sensor. The sensor is supplied with voltage (signal) from and grounded in the engine control module (ECM).
The resistance in the sensor changes according to the temperature of the fuel. This provides the engine control module (ECM) with a signal of between 0 - 5 V. Low temperature results in high voltage (high resistance). High temperature results in low voltage (low resistance).
The engine control module (ECM) uses the signal to calculate the volume of the fuel.

Oil level and oil temperature sensor




The sensor is a combined oil level and oil temperature sensor. The function of the sensor is to provide the engine control module (ECM) with information about the level and temperature of the engine oil in the oil trough.
The sensor consists of:
- a terminal with three pins
- integrated electronics
- 2 capacitive gauge elements
- a PTC resistor.
The sensor is supplied with 5 V from the engine control module (ECM) and generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the engine control module (ECM).
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the sensor.

Main relay (system relay)




The function of the main relay (system relay) is to supply certain components with voltage.
The relay is mechanical and has a closing and opening function. In the rest position the circuit in the relay is open.
The main relay terminals (#30 and #86) are supplied with voltage by the battery. When the starter button on the start control module (SCU) has been activated and the engine control module (ECM) is powered, the terminal (#85) on the main relay is grounded by the engine control module (ECM).
When the terminal (#85) is grounded, the relay is activated and a number of components are powered via the relay terminal (#87).
The main relay is in the integrated relay/fuse box in the engine compartment and is diagnosed by the engine control module (ECM).

Injectors




The function of the injectors is to spray fuel into the cylinders in the correct spray patterns. This happens sequentially.
The injectors are located under the intake manifold.
The engine control module (ECM) controls the injectors by grounding the valves in pulses.
The injectors can be diagnosed by the engine control module (ECM) and can be activated.

Ignition coils




The ignition coils supply the spark plugs with high voltage to produce sparks. The engine control module (ECM) controls the ignition coils so that sparks are generated at the correct time. The signal reconnects to the engine control module (ECM) so that diagnostics can be carried out.
Each ignition coil has an integrated power stage.
The ignition coils are in the sparkplug wells above each spark plug.
The control module checks the ignition coil's function using the two separate diagnostic leads.
Diagnostic lead 1 manages ignition coils B, C, E and H (corresponds to cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8). Diagnostic lead 2 manages ignition coils A, D, F and G (corresponds to cylinders 1, 4, 6 and 7).

Camshaft reset valve (Continuous variable valve timing (CVVT))




The camshaft reset valve controls the oil flow to the CVVT unit (camshaft pulley).
The valve consists of an electro-magnetic valve with a spring-loaded piston. There are slits in the piston which channel the engine lubricating oil to the CVVT unit by moving the piston in the reset valve. The continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) unit turns the camshaft (the camshaft timing changes). The direction in which the camshaft turns depends on the chamber in the CVVT unit which is supplied with oil (pressure). See also: Function Function
An oil filter is mounted at the intake channel for the valves to prevent oil contaminants from affecting the function of the reset valves.
The system relay supplies the reset valve with voltage via a fuse. The valve is grounded (control stage) internally in the engine control module (ECM). When the valve is grounded using a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, the oil flow in the valve can be regulated to the different chambers in the continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) unit at variable rates. This allows the angle position to be changed precisely and steplessly.
It is important not to mix up the pipes for the valves when removing/installing the reset valve camshaft.
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the camshaft reset valve.
The valves are on the cylinder head above the camshafts. There are four reset valves, two for the inlet camshaft and two for the exhaust camshaft.