The fuel metering system consists of the following parts:
• | The fuel supply components (fuel tank, pump, pipes). |
• | The fuel pump electrical circuit. |
• | The fuel pressure regulator. |
• | The Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. |
• | The Throttle Position (TP) sensor. |
System Overview
The fuel tank stores the fuel supply. An electric fuel pump attaches
to the fuel sender assembly inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump pumps fuel
through the fuel feed pipe and an in-line fuel filter to the fuel rail assembly.
The pump provides fuel at a pressure greater than is needed by the injectors.
The fuel pressure regulator, part of the fuel rail assembly, keeps fuel available
to the injectors at a regulated pressure. A separate fuel return pipe returns
the unused fuel to the fuel tank.
Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit
When the ignition switch is in the ON position (before engaging the
starter), the PCM energizes the fuel pump relay for two seconds, causing the
fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. If the PCM does not receive ignition
reference pulses (engine cranking or running) within two seconds, it shuts
OFF the fuel pump relay, causing the fuel pump to stop.
Fuel Rail Assembly
The fuel rail assembly attaches to the engine
intake manifold. The fuel rail assembly performs the following functions:
• | It positions the injectors (3) in the intake manifold. |
• | It distributes fuel evenly to the injectors. |
• | It integrates the fuel pressure regulator (2) into the fuel metering
system. |
Fuel Injectors
The Multec 2 fuel injector assembly is a solenoid
operated device, controlled by the PCM, that meters pressurized fuel to a
single engine cylinder. The PCM energizes the high-impedance (12.2 ohms)
injector solenoid (1) to open a normally closed ball valve (2). This allows
fuel to flow into the top of the injector, past the ball valve, and through
a director plate (3) at the injector outlet. The director plate has four
machined holes that control the fuel flow, generating a spray of finely
atomized fuel at the injector tip. Fuel from the injector tip
is directed at the intake valve, causing it to become further atomized and
vaporized before entering the combustion chamber. An injector stuck partly
open can cause a loss of pressure after engine shutdown. Consequently, long
cranking times would be noticed on some engines.
Fuel Pressure Regulator Assembly
The fuel pressure regulator is a diaphragm operated
relief valve with fuel pump pressure on one side and regulator spring pressure
and intake manifold vacuum on the other side. The fuel pressure regulator
maintains a constant pressure differential across the injectors at all times.
The pressure regulator compensates for engine load by increasing fuel pressure
as the engine vacuum drops. With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, system
fuel pressure at the pressure test connection should be 379-427 kPa
(55-62 psi). If the pressure is too low, poor performance could
result. If the pressure is too high, excessive odor and a Diagnostic Trouble
Code (DTC) P0132, P0152, P0172 or P0175 may result. Refer to
Fuel System Diagnosis
for information on diagnosing
fuel pressure conditions.
Accelerator Controls
The accelerator control system is cable operated. There are no linkage
adjustments, therefore use the specific cable for each application.
Throttle Body Assembly
The throttle body assembly (1) attaches to
the intake manifold. The throttle body controls air flow into the engine,
thereby controlling engine output. The vehicle operator opens the throttle
valve within the throttle body through the accelerator controls. During engine
idle, the throttle valves are almost closed. A fixed air bypass orifice and
the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve (2) handle the air flow control. Engine coolant
flows through the coolant cavity on the bottom of the throttle body in order
to prevent throttle valve icing during cool weather operation. The throttle
body also provides the location for mounting the Throttle Position (TP) sensor
(3).
Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve
The purpose of the IAC valve is to control engine idle speed, while
preventing stalls due to changes in engine load. The IAC valve, mounted in
the throttle body, controls a portion of the bypass air. An orifice located
between the throttle valves also supplies a constant amount of bypass air.
By moving a conical valve known as a pintle, in, towards the seat (to decrease
air flow); or out, away from the seat (to increase air flow), a controlled
amount of air can be bypassed. If engine speed is too low, more air is bypassed
to increase RPM. If engine speed is too high, less air is bypassed to decrease
RPM. The PCM moves the IAC valve in small steps, called counts. These can
be measured and displayed by a scan tool, which plugs into the Data Link
Connector (DLC). The PCM calculates the proper position of the IAC valve
during idle based on battery voltage, coolant temperature, engine load, and
engine RPM. If the RPM drops below specification and the throttle valve is
closed, the PCM senses a near stall condition and calculates a new valve
position in order to prevent stalling.
• | Engine idle speed is a function of total air flow into the engine.
Idle speed is based on IAC valve pintle position + crankcase ventilation valve
flow + throttle valve opening + bypass orifice air flow + calibrated vacuum
loss through accessories. |
• | Controlled idle speed is programmed into the PCM, which determines
the correct IAC valve pintle position to maintain the desired idle speed for
all engine operating conditions and loads. |
• | The minimum idle air rate is set at the factory with a stop screw.
This setting allows enough air flow by the throttle valves to cause the IAC
valve pintle to be positioned a calibrated number of steps (counts), from
the seat, during controlled idle operation. |
• | If the IAC valve is disconnected and reconnected with the engine
running, the idle speed may be wrong. If this occurs, reset the IAC valve
by depressing the accelerator pedal slightly, start and run the engine for
five seconds, then turn the ignition OFF for ten seconds. |
Throttle Position (TP) Sensor
The TP sensor attaches to the side of the throttle body opposite the
throttle lever. It senses the throttle valve angle and relays that information
to the PCM. The PCM requires knowledge of throttle angle to generate the
required injector control signals (pulses).