Circuit/System Description

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Alcohol content information is supplied to the engine control module (ECM) from the fuel composition sensor. The fuel composition sensor has a battery positive circuit, a signal circuit, and a ground circuit. The fuel composition sensor uses a microprocessor inside the sensor to measure the ethanol percentage and changes the output signal accordingly. The signal circuit carries the ethanol percentage via the frequency signal. The ECM provides an internal pull up to 5 V on the signal circuit, and the fuel composition sensor pulls the 5 V to ground in pulses. The normal range of operating frequency is between 50 - 150 Hz. The microprocessor inside the fuel composition sensor is capable of a certain amount of self-diagnosis. An output frequency between 180 Hz and 190 Hz indicates that the fuel is contaminated.