ME-SFI thermal management, function - GF07.61-P-4012MIS

ENGINE 272.9 in MODEL 221.0 /1 as of model year 2009/ AEJ 08 

ENGINE 273.9 in MODEL 216.3, 221.0 /1 as of model year 2009/ AEJ 08 

Function requirements for thermal management, general points 

• Circuit 87M ON (engine control ON)
• Engine running

Thermal management, general points 

The coolant temperature of the engine is regulated by the controlled thermal management from ME-SFI [ME] control unit (N3/10). This has the following advantages:

• Operating temperature is reached faster
• Reduction of the exhaust gas emissions
• Fuel savings (up to around 4%)
• Improved heat comfort.

Thermal management is performed according to the following sensors and signals:

• Hot film MAF sensor (B2/5), engine load
• Intake air temperature sensor (B2/5b1)
• Coolant temperature sensor (B11/4)
• Accelerator pedal sensor (B37), rate of change of load (driver type: calm or sporty)
• Crankshaft Hall sensor (B70), engine speed
• AAC control unit (N22/1), outside air temperature and air conditioning status over the interior CAN (CAN B) and chassis CAN (CAN E)
• ESP control unit (N47-5) or regenerative braking system control unit (N30/6) (for hybrid), vehicle speed via the chassis CAN

Thermal management function sequence 

Thermal management consists of the following subfunctions:

• Heating system switch-off (for engine 272) 
• Heating the three-disk thermostat 
• Fan control 

Heating system switch-off (for engine 272) 

To heat up the engine more quickly, the ME-SFI [ME] control unit switches off the heating system coolant circuit by actuating the heating system shutoff valve (Y16/2).

The shutoff valve is actuated if necessary by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit by means of a ground signal. When de-energized, the shutoff valve is opened by an integrated spring.

The shutoff valve for the heating system is nevertheless always open for a switched on heater (status "heating" of the AAC control unit).

Heating the three-disk thermostat 

Depending on the operating conditions (performance map), the ME-SFI [ME] control unit actuates the heating element in the three-disk thermostat valve (Y110) with a ground signal. The voltage is supplied through "circuit 87 M2".

When heated, the three-disk thermostat opens in the coolant thermostat. In this way the coolant temperature of 80 to 100°C is regulated via the duty cycle.

The three-disk thermostat can be set in four positions:

• Full throttling 
• Bypass mode 
• Mixed mode 
• Cooler mode 

Position of the three-disk thermostat 

Full throttling 

For a cold start the three-disk thermostat is not heated. The heating circuit is also switched off by the heating system shutoff valve when the vehicle heating is switched off.

The coolant in the engine now warms up very quickly. The engine oil is warmed up over the heat exchanger at the front on the engine.

The closing plate on the three-disk thermostat opens but dependent on the pressure (by the rotating coolant pump) from about 3500 RPM (short circuit operation).

Bypass mode 

From an outside temperature >12°C and a coolant temperature of 45°C or from a coolant temperature of about 70°C, switching to short-circuit operation takes place.

For short-circuit operation the three-disk thermostat is heated less and part of the coolant flows back into the engine circuit. Short-circuit operation can be 'choked', so that the heater responds more quickly.

Mixed-fuel mode 

The mixed-fuel operation is enabled if the coolant temperature reaches 98°C for the first time after the start.

For mixed-fuel operation the three-disk thermostat is heated in such a way that the coolant flows through the engine radiator and the engine circuit.

At partial load, the three-disk thermostat regulates at an increased coolant temperature of around 100°C.

In order to prevent critical coolant temperatures from occurring, the range of increased coolant temperature is lowered under the following conditions:

• Intake air temperature >38°C
• Engine speed >3000 RPM
• Engine load > 30%
• Sporty driver

Coolant temperature is thus lowered according to outside air temperature. If outside air temperature is below 12°C, the temperature is lowered to about 90°C and if outside air temperature is above 12°C, it is lowered to about 80°C.

Cooler mode 

The three-disk thermostat is heated constantly during radiator operation. The coolant only flows through the engine radiator.

If coolant temperature is above about 110°C, the three-disk thermostat is open continuously, irrespective of heating (limp-home function).

If the coolant temperature is too high a warning message is displayed in the multifunction display (A1p13) in the instrument cluster (A1). To do this, the ME-SFI control unit sends the corresponding signal via the chassis CAN and central CAN (CAN F) to the instrument cluster.

Fan control 

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit actuates the engine and air conditioning electric suction fan with integrated control (M4/7). The specified fan speed is set by the ME-SFI control unit with a pulse width modulated signal (PWM signal).

The duty cycle of the PWM signal is 10 to 90%.

Meaning:

10% Fan motor "OFF"

20% Fan motor "ON", minimal RPM

90% Fan motor "ON", maximum RPM

If actuation is faulty, the air fan rotates at the maximum rotational speed (fan emergency mode).

The AAC control unit (N22/1) sends the air conditioning status via the interior CAN and chassis CAN to the ME-SFI control unit.

Delayed fan switch off 

With "ignition OFF", the fan motor runs on for up to 5 min. if the coolant temperature or engine oil temperature (calculated from the temperature model) has exceeded the specified maximum values. The PWM signal duty cycle is 40 % maximum while the delayed fan switch-off is active.

If the battery voltage is dropping too much, the delayed fan switch-off is stopped.

	Electrical function schematic for thermal management	Model 216		PE07.61-P-2791-97CAB
	Component description for ME-SFI [ME] control unit	N3/10	Engine 273	GF07.61-P-6000MLS