A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes feedback of operating status of an engine starting system is described. In one example, the method inhibits automatic engine pull-down in response to feedback from an engine starting system that does not meet expectations. The system and method may provide diagnostics for the engine starting system.

A method actuates a starter of an internal combustion engine by way of a starter relay. The starter relay is configured to supply the starter optionally with current via an on-board electrical system. The method has the following steps: determining an error status of the internal combustion engine; commencing repeated actuations of the starter relay; determining a current status of the internal combustion engine, wherein the current status of the internal combustion engine displays at least one error status or at least one operating status; and, if the current status displays at least one operating status, ending the repeated actuation of the starter relay, otherwise once again determining the current status. A system for actuating a starter of an internal combustion engine includes a control device, a power source, a starter relay, connected to the control device and configured to supply the starter of the internal combustion engine optionally with current from the power source via an on-board electrical system, wherein the control device is configured to carry out the method.

An electrical system for a vehicle having a chassis ground (G0) and an engine having an engine ground (G1), the system comprising a first electrical energy storage device (1), denoted EESD1, a second electrical energy storage device (2), denoted EESD2, a starter device (3) having a starter motor (30), a generator (4), a first cable (61) coupling a positive terminal (1+) of EESD1 to the positive terminal (3+) of the starter device, a second cable (62) coupling the positive terminal (4+) of the generator to a positive terminal (2+) of EESD2, a third cable (63) coupling a negative terminal (1−) of EESD1 to the negative terminal (3−) of the starter device, a control unit (5) for controlling the charge of EESD1, a fusible link (66,7) coupling a negative terminal (1−) of EESD1 to the chassis ground (G0).

A hybrid vehicle includes an isolation switch disposed between a first bus that is electrically coupled to a starter for an engine and a second bus that is electrically coupled to a power converter and accessory loads. The hybrid vehicle includes a controller programmed to normally command the switch closed, and, in response to expiration of a predetermined time interval without starting the engine, command the switch to open for a predetermined duration to perform diagnostics on the isolation switch.

A performance testing system including an engine, a starter under test that is configured to start the engine, and a motor configured to generate power transferred to the engine to run the engine after the engine is started by the starter.

An apparatus configured for controlling starting of engine may include a clutch pedal including an ignition lock switch, a starter, a status detecting unit, an electronic clutch mounted between the engine and a transmission, a clutch controller configured to control coupling and releasing of the electronic clutch, check status of the electronic clutch and generate a clutch status data, and a vehicle controller configured to enter coasting running mode based on the vehicle status data, and, during the coasting running mode, operate the starter and restart the engine based on the clutch status data provided from the clutch controller and a switch status data of the ignition lock switch when a position value of an acceleration pedal included in the vehicle status data is equal to or greater than an acceleration reference value.

A failure diagnosis method for an engine starting system 1 in which a starting energy storage apparatus 11 for supplying electric power to a starter 10 and an auxiliary energy storage apparatus 12 are connected in parallel, the method including: a first detection step (S102) of detecting a direction of a current with a detection unit 19 in a state where a first relay 20 is open and a second relay 23 is closed during discharge of the starting energy storage apparatus 11, and a determination step (S103) of determining the failure of the first relay 20 based on a detection result of the first detection step.

A system and method for retrofit engine start/stop control system for an air starter equipped internal combustion engine includes a circuit to energize and air control value, an air pressure sensor, a programmable logic controller, an engine block temperature sensor to measure an external engine temperature, an ambient temperature sensor, an ignition circuit connector, a battery voltage sensor, and an engine speed sensor. The programmable logic controller is configured to start the engine when at least one of the pressure of the compressed gas tank, an external engine block temperature, an ambient air temperature, and a battery output voltage fall below a predefined threshold value for startup.

A system includes a position sensor configured to detect positions of a rotor of a starter motor relative to the position sensor and to output signals indicating the detected positions and a controller configured to rotate the rotor to a plurality of predetermined positions relative to a stator of the starter motor, determine sensed positions of the rotor based on the signals output by the position sensor, and calculate an initial detected position of the rotor based on relationships between the determined sensed positions of the rotor and an expected angular distance between adjacent ones of the predetermined positions.

A starter battery with a total battery voltage exceeding a supply voltage requirement of an electrical system. An alternator provides a charging voltage that corresponds with the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A total battery voltage equal to the sum of cell voltages exceeds the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A step-down voltage regulator reduces the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement and a boost voltage regulator increases the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery to the total battery voltage. When detecting a degraded cell, the step-down voltage regulator continues to regulate the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement after the cell has degraded and the boost voltage regulator is bypassed when charging the starter battery to no longer increase the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery.