Electronic Power Control System
Electronic Power Control System
Function
The position of the accelerator pedal is transmitted to the engine control module via two accelerator pedal position sensors (adjustable resistances, accommodated in one housing), that are connected to the accelerator pedal.
The position of the accelerator pedal (driver controlled) is a main input for the engine control module.
Operation of the throttle valve occurs via an electric motor (throttle valve actuator) in the throttle valve control module. This is true across the entire engine speed and engine load spectrum.
The throttle valve is operated by the throttle drive according to the instructions of the Engine Control Module (ECM).
With the engine at stand still and the ignition switched on, the Engine Control Module (ECM) activates the throttle valve actuator precisely according to the specifications of the Throttle Position (TP) Sensor. This means, if the accelerator pedal is depressed half way, the throttle drive opens the throttle valve to the same degree; i.e. throttle valve is then opened approximately half way.
With engine running (under load) the engine control module can open and close the throttle valve independently of the accelerator pedal position sensor.
That way e.g. the throttle valve can already be completely opened, although the accelerator pedal is only depressed half-way. An advantage of this is that throttle losses at the throttle valve are avoided.
Aside from that, it results in clearly better pollutant output and consumption values under certain load conditions.
According to torque requirement outputs from the various components (e.g. air conditioning, automatic transmission, ABS/ESP...), the engine control module calculates a throttle valve open angle that is optimal for a respective situation.