Patent ID: 6816775
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A method for detecting combustion misses in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine which includes at least one first engine control unit which controls at least the injection and firing for a first subset of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, and at least one additional engine control unit which controls the injection and firing of a second subset of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of:detecting combustion misses for the first subset of cylinders and the second subset of cylinders; processing at least data required for injection and firing, using an engine control program which is interrupted by interrupt routines, in phase-synchronism with the rotational movement of the crankshaft; and establishing and evaluating crankshaft segment times in which crankshaft covers an associated circle-segment angle range; wherein the establishing and evaluating of the crankshaft segment times are carried out in selected interrupt routines, and wherein the establishing and evaluating the crankshaft segment times for the second subset of cylinders occur in the interrupt routines in which firing of the second subset of cylinders is controlled, and wherein establishing and evaluating of the crankshaft segment times for the first subset of cylinders occur in selected additional interrupt routines.