At a time of a startup in a non-lock state (at the time of a next startup in a case where an internal combustion engine is stopped in a non-lock state in which a VCT phase is not locked in an intermediate lock phase), it is determined whether or not the engine can be started up by most delayed startup processing. In a case where it is determined that the engine can be started up by the most delayed startup processing, the most delayed startup processing is performed. In this most delayed startup processing, the engine is cranked in a high rotation range not less than a specified rotation speed and a fuel injection and an ignition are started in a state in which the VCT phase is controlled to a vicinity of the most delayed phase (most delayed phase or within a specified range from the most delayed phase) to thereby start up the engine. In this way, at the time of the startup in the non-lock state, the engine can be quickly started up without locking the VCT phase.

An engine is configured such that, during the starting of the engine, when it is being detected that throttle opening has been set at a starting position, if it is detected that the engine speed has exceeded a predetermined speed slightly lower than a speed when a centrifugal clutch becomes an engaged state, a control unit retards the ignition timing from a general angle to a first angle BTDC, and then advances the ignition timing to a second angle at predetermined intervals, and holds the ignition timing at the second angle for a predetermined time period, thereby preventing the engine from stopping due to fouling on the spark plug while suppressing the engine speed at the speed when the centrifugal clutch becomes the engaged state, or less.

Disclosed is a method for synchronizing an engine including a camshaft and a position sensor for sensing the position of the camshaft. The method includes, for each detected tooth edge: computing a time signature of the detected edge; comparing the time signature of the detected edge with a set of theoretical signatures of edges of the target including a theoretical signature for each edge of the target, the comparison being implemented through a tolerance; and generating a synchronization or synchronization fault signal as a function of the result of the comparison. When the engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold, the tolerance adopted for comparing the time signature of a detected edge with the theoretical signature of an edge of the target is reduced in relation to the tolerance adopted for the same comparison before the engine speed drops below the threshold.

Disclosed is a method for synchronizing an engine including a camshaft and a position sensor for sensing the position of the camshaft. The method includes, for each detected tooth edge: computing a time signature of the detected edge; comparing the time signature of the detected edge with a set of theoretical signatures of edges of the target including a theoretical signature for each edge of the target, the comparison being implemented through a tolerance; and generating a synchronization or synchronization fault signal as a function of the result of the comparison. When the engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold, the tolerance adopted for comparing the time signature of a detected edge with the theoretical signature of an edge of the target is reduced in relation to the tolerance adopted for the same comparison before the engine speed drops below the threshold.

Provided is a device for controlling an operation of a modem for a vehicle in order to prevent battery discharge, comprising: a modem for a vehicle mounted on the vehicle; and a TCU (Telematic Control Unit) for frequently or periodically detecting a communication environment of the modem for the vehicle when the modem for the vehicle enters a standby state mode, and, when the number of times of repetition of a normal service state and a no-service state is larger than or equal to a reference value or when the number of times of repetition of communication network registration is larger than or equal to the reference value, cutting off standby power of the modem for the vehicle even before a standby time preconfigured in the modem terminates.

Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.

Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.

A method for starting a vehicle having a start-stop system, a bake pedal for braking, a pressure controlled clutch, an accelerator for setting an engine speed, and a control unit for controlling engine operation. The method including detecting brake release after a start-stop process; determining the clutch pressure; determining a required torque from the determined pressure based on a stored pressure-torque characteristic; determining the necessary engine speed requirement from the determined required torque based on a stored characteristic engine torque curve; inquiring whether the necessary speed requirement exceeds the available torque at the current engine speed; if not, then the engine speed is not increased; if so, inquiring whether the necessary speed requirement exceeds the accelerator requested speed; if not, increasing the engine speed with the engine control unit to the determined speed requirement; and if so, increasing the engine speed to the maximum set at the accelerator.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining whether or not an engine has stalled while a vehicle may be propelled via the motor/generator. In one example, an engine stall may be indicated responsive to a first estimated engine torque and a second estimated engine torque.

A starting control method for a vehicle having an engine may include determining, by an ECU, whether engine RPM rises when the engine is started, determining whether combustion-related parts are normal, when the engine RPM does not rise over a starter RPM, determining whether a cam position sensor and a crank position sensor are normal, when it is determined that the combustion-related parts are normal, performing control to offset a recognized crank angle by 360 degrees, when it is determined that the cam position sensor and the crank position sensor are normal, and restarting the engine based on the offset crank angle.