Method for advanced crank spark with blend spark retard for an engine

A method for advanced crank spark with blend spark retard for an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of:

• selecting whether a spark in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine will be fired on one of a group comprising a predetermined first crank edge and a predetermined second crank edge during an engine start mode;
• firing the spark on the second crank edge during the engine start mode if the second crank edge is selected;
• firing the spark on the first crank edge if the first crank edge is selected;
• determining whether the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed;
• continuing to select whether to fire the spark on the one of the group comprising the predetermined first crank edge and the predetermined second crank edge if the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed less than a predetermined speed;
• and
• retarding the spark from a first spark level to a hold spark level at a predetermined rate, holding the spark at the hold spark level for a hold period, and advancing the spark to the first spark level at the predetermined rate, if the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed greater than the predetermined speed.