Method and Apparatus for Starting an Engine of a Modular Hybrid Transmission Based Upon Demanded Torque

A method of operating a vehicle having a motor between a transmission and an engine, the motor and the engine being connected through a clutch that selectively connects the motor and the engine, the vehicle having an accelerator pedal including a pedal position sensor that provides a pedal position signal, the method comprising:

• providing the pedal position signal to a controller when the motor is operating and the engine is stopped;
• actuating a starter motor to start the engine when the pedal position signal is greater than a threshold;
• increasing engine speed to within the calibrated range of the motor speed;
• and
• applying the clutch when the engine speed is within the calibrated range.

A system for starting an engine of a vehicle that has a motor that is selectively coupled to the engine by a clutch, the system comprising:

• an engine control module;
• a pedal position sensor that provides a pedal position signal to the engine control module;
• a starter motor actuated by the engine control module based upon the pedal position signal;
• and
• the engine control module sending a clutch apply signal to the clutch to apply the clutch when an engine speed is within a predetermined range of a motor speed.