The ECM consists of three main components, the control computer (hardware), the flash file (software) and the configuration file. The control computer consists of a microprocessor and electronic circuitry. The flash file is the software for the control computer which contains the operating maps that define power and torque curves. The configuration file contains the adjustable settings for the engine monitoring system. The configuration file also allows the customer to enable optional equipment. The customer can fine tune the engine by modifying the settings in the configuration file. The engine is shipped from the factory with default values for these settings.
The engine ECM governs engine speed. Desired engine rpm is determined by the throttle position sensor signal and certain sensor readings. Diagnostic codes may be accompanied by a reduction in the available power from the engine. The reduction in power is typically called an engine derate. Actual engine rpm is measured by the engine speed/timing sensor.
The engine ECM controls the timing and the duration of the fuel that is injected. The engine ECM varies the signals to the fuel injectors. Fuel is injected only while an injector solenoid is energized by a 105 volt signal from the engine ECM. The timing of the injection signal determines the engine timing. The length of the injection signal determines engine speed. By controlling the timing and duration of the 105 volt signal, the ECM controls the engine speed.
Injection timing depends on the desired engine rpm and load. The ECM detects the top center of each cylinder. The ECM sends an injection signal at the desired time.
During a cold start or extended periods at low idle, the engine ECM will automatically turn off one unit injector at a time in order to determine if the cylinder is firing. If the ECM determines that the cylinder is not firing, the ECM turns off the unit injector. If the ECM determines that the cylinder is firing, the ECM turns on the unit injector. This strategy improves engine starting. This strategy reduces the following: white smoke, the use of ether injection and warm-up time.
Cold mode operation automatically stops fuel injection to cylinders that are not firing. Cold mode operation has the following benefits: increased startability, reduced warm up period and reduced white smoke. The cold cylinder cutout strategy is activated whenever the engine coolant temperature falls below
- An engine without the ether option has been running for ten seconds.
- Ether injection has been completed for three seconds.
- The engine has been idling for ten minutes.
The engine will exit the cold cylinder cutout strategy for ten minutes under the following conditions:
- Engine speed drops 50 rpm below low idle.
- The throttle switch position is changed.
The engine will exit the cold cylinder cutout strategy under the following conditions:
- The coolant temperature rises above
70 °C (158 °F) . - The Cylinder Cutout Test on Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) is activated.
The flash file inside the engine ECM sets certain limits on the amount of fuel that can be injected. The FRC limit is a limit that is based on the boost pressure. The boost pressure is calculated as the difference in pressure between atmospheric pressure and turbocharger outlet pressure. The FRC limit is used to control the air/fuel ratio for control of emissions. When the engine ECM senses a higher boost pressure, the engine ECM increases the FRC limit. A higher boost pressure indicates that there is more air in the cylinder. When the engine ECM increases the FRC limit, the engine ECM allows more fuel into the cylinder.
The rated fuel position is a limit that is based on the power rating of the engine. The rated fuel position is similar to the rack stops and the torque spring on a mechanically governed engine. The rated fuel position determines maximum power and torque values for a specific engine family and a specific rating. The rated fuel position is programmed into the flash file at the factory.
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| Illustration 1 | g00607278 |
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Electronic governor | |
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| Illustration 2 | g01965673 |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 3 | g01974773 |
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Left side view 3508C (1) Unfiltered fuel pressure sensor (2) Filtered fuel pressure sensor (3) Filtered oil pressure sensor (4) Coolant temperature sensor (5) Left exhaust temperature sensor (6) Atmospheric pressure sensor (7) Primary engine speed/timing sensor (8) Aftercooler temperature sensor (9) Secondary engine speed/timing sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 4 | g01975175 |
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Right side view 3508C (10) Right exhaust temperature sensor (11) Crankcase pressure sensor (12) Timing calibration sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 5 | g01975235 |
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Front and rear view 3508C (13) Unfiltered engine oil pressure sensor (14) Turbocharger compressor outlet pressure sensor (15) Atmospheric pressure sensor (16) Left turbocharger compressor inlet pressure sensor (17) Right turbocharger compressor inlet pressure sensor (18) ECM connector "J1/P1" (19) Electronic control module (20) ECM connector "J2/P2" | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 6 | g01975253 |
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Left side view 3512C (21) Unfiltered fuel pressure sensor (22) Filtered fuel pressure sensor (23) Filtered oil pressure sensor (24) Coolant temperature sensor (25) Atmospheric pressure sensor (26) Primary engine speed/timing sensor (27) Aftercooler temperature sensor (28) Secondary engine speed/timing sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 7 | g01975254 |
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Right side view 3512C (29) Crankcase pressure sensor (30) Timing calibration sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 8 | g01975255 |
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Front view 3512C (31) Unfiltered engine oil pressure sensor (32) Turbocharger compressor outlet pressure sensor (33) Atmospheric pressure sensor (34) ECM connector "J1/P1" (35) Electronic control module(ECM) (36) ECM connector "J2/P2" | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 9 | g02023025 |
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Left side view 3516C (37) Unfiltered fuel pressure sensor (38) Filtered fuel pressure sensor (39) Filtered oil pressure sensor (40) Coolant temperature sensor (41) Primary engine speed/timing sensor (42) Secondary engine speed/timing sensor (43) Atmospheric pressure sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 10 | g02023027 |
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Right side view 3516C (44) Timing calibration sensor (45) Crankcase pressure sensor | |
Location of the Engine Sensors
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| Illustration 11 | g02023030 |
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Front view 3516C (46) Unfiltered engine oil pressure sensor (47) Turbocharger compressor outlet pressure sensor (48) Atmospheric pressure sensor (49) ECM connector "J1/P1" (50) Electronic control module(ECM) (51) ECM connector "J2/P2" | |