Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Run Mode

The run mode has two conditions called Open Loop and Closed Loop. When the engine is first started, and engine speed is above a predetermined RPM, the system begins Open Loop operation. The PCM ignores the signal from the HO2S and calculates the air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the ECT, MAF, MAP, and TP sensors. The system stays in Open Loop until meeting the following conditions:
^ Both HO2S have varying voltage output, showing that they are hot enough to operate properly. (This depends on temperature.)
^ The ECT sensor is above a specified temperature.
^ A specific amount of time has elapsed after starting the engine.

Specific values for the above conditions exist for each different engine, and are stored in the Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). The system begins Closed Loop operation after reaching these values. In Closed Loop, the PCM calculates the air/fuel ratio (injector on-time) based on the signal from various sensors, but mainly the HO2S. This allows the air/fuel ratio to stay very close to 14.7:1.