5.

Actuators

Actuators
Automotive – Engine Performance

Topics covered in this presentation:

 Fuel Injector and Mixture/shutoff Solenoids
 IAC Solenoids and Relays
 Fuel Pumps

ClassAct SRS enabled.

5. Actuators

Introduction
Three basic actuator types:
Automotive – Engine Performance

 Solenoid.

 Relay.

 Motor.

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5. Actuators

Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a basic type of actuator usually
controlled by an ECU?
Automotive – Engine Performance

A) DC Motor

B) Lamp

C) Solenoid

D) Relay
5. Actuators

Electronic Fuel Injector Operation

Fuel injector contains a solenoid coil.
Coil energized, needle valve lifts from nozzle, fuel sprayed into engine.
Automotive – Engine Performance

Coil not energized, needle valve seals nozzle and no fuel flows.
Injectors are precise and efficient. Electrical connector

Solenoid coil

Needle valve

Fuel in

Nozzle / jet Armature Spring Fuel filter

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5. Actuators

Question 2
These are the stages of electronic fuel injection operation:
1. When a voltage is applied to the coil it is energized.
Automotive – Engine Performance

2. When the coil is energized the armature moves out of the coil.
3. The fuel flows into the engine.
4. The armature is returned to its original position by a spring when
it is no longer energized.
Which one is incorrectly described?

A) 1 C) 3

B) 2 D) 4
5. Actuators

Injector Pulse Width

ECU controls injector pulse width (injector opening time).
Pulse width determined from:
Automotive – Engine Performance

1. Air volume. 4. Throttle position.

2. Engine temperature. 5. Exhaust oxygen content.
3. Air temperature.
Cyl. 1 Cyl. 2 Cyl. 3 Cyl. 4
Timing pulses
(engine speed)

Pulse shaper

Frequency divider
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

Injector pulse width

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5. Actuators

Question 3
Which of the following does NOT control injector pulse width?
Automotive – Engine Performance

A) Fuel pressure

B) Engine temperature

C) Air volume

D) Throttle position
5. Actuators

Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve

Operated by solenoid or
stepper motor. ECU
Automotive – Engine Performance

Used to control idle

speed of engine, by
allowing air to bypass IAC valve
throttle valve. Solenoid coil

ECU determines the

amount of bypass air. Air in

Throttle valve

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5. Actuators

Question 4
Which of the following statements about the Idle air control
(IAC) is true?
Automotive – Engine Performance

A) The IAC controls the throttle valve

B) The IAC controls the amount of air bypassing the throttle valve

C) The IAC controls the top speed of the engine

D) The IAC senses whether the engine is idling correctly

5. Actuators

Computer Controlled Carburettors

ECU monitors sensors. ECU

O2
Automotive – Engine Performance

Controls mixture ECT

solenoid to change
air/fuel mixture.
MAP
When solenoid
energized, fuel
flow blocked.
Main Fuel mixture
discharge control solenoid

Energized

Manifold Next >

5. Actuators

Computer Controlled Carburettors

Duty cycle signal from ECU switches solenoid on and off.
Automotive – Engine Performance

ECU

Main Fuel mixture

discharge control solenoid

Efficient
Rich
Leanmixture
mixture
mixture

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5. Actuators

Fuel Shut-Off Solenoid

Fuel shut-off solenoid used when switching off or decelerating.
Automotive – Engine Performance

Carburettor Shut-off
ECU solenoid

Main fuel
metering passage

Blocks fuel passages

and stops fuel leaks
and drips.

Inlet Manifold
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5. Actuators

Question 5
With a computer controlled carburettor, when is the fuel flow blocked?
Automotive – Engine Performance

A) When the sensor monitors the flow

B) When the mixture is energized

C) When the air supply is insufficient

D) When the fuel mixture control solenoid is energized

5. Actuators

Electric Fuel Pumps

Transfers pressurized fuel
from tank to engine.
Automotive – Engine Performance

Pump either in fuel

tank, or between fuel
tank and engine.

Both types are used

in some fuel systems.

Inertia switch stops flow in

the event of an accident.

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5. Actuators

Summary
You should be aware of:
Automotive – Engine Performance

 Fuel Injector and Mixture/shutoff Solenoids

 IAC Solenoids and Relays

 Fuel Pumps

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