Method of compensating for the effects of using a block heater in an internal combustion engine

A method of detecting and compensating for the usage of a block heater in an internal combustion engine which utilizes an engine control system that relies on several variables including engine coolant temperature value, comprising the steps of:

• sensing engine coolant temperature;
• providing an inferred engine coolant temperature value;
• determining if said sensed engine coolant temperature is higher than said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• calculating a normalized value of engine coolant temperature value according to a predetermined function when said sensed engine coolant temperature differs from said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• providing said normalized engine coolant temperature value to said engine control system as a substitute for the sensed engine coolant temperature value.

A method of compensating for the effects of using a block heater in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:

• providing an engine control system that relies on several variables including engine coolant temperature value;
• sensing an engine start command;
• sensing ambient air temperature;
• comparing said sensed air temperature value with a predetermined low temperature value;
• sensing engine coolant temperature when said sensed air temperature value is below said predetermined value;
• providing an inferred engine coolant temperature value;
• comparing said sensed engine coolant temperature with said inferred engine coolant temperature to determine if said sensed engine coolant temperature is greater than said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• calculating a normalized value of engine coolant temperature value according to a predetermined function when said sensed engine coolant temperature differs from said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• providing said normalized engine coolant temperature value to said engine control system.

A method of compensating for the effects of using a block heater in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:

• providing an engine control system that relies on several variables including engine coolant temperature value;
• sensing an engine start command;
• sensing engine coolant temperature;
• providing an inferred engine coolant temperature value;
• comparing said sensed engine coolant temperature with said inferred engine coolant temperature to determine if said sensed engine coolant temperature is greater than said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• calculating a normalized value of engine coolant temperature value according to a predetermined function when said sensed engine coolant temperature is greater than said inferred engine coolant temperature value by at least a predetermined amount;
• providing said normalized engine coolant temperature value to said engine control system.

A method for determining an engine coolant temperature value of an internal combustion engine in response to an engine start command, comprising:

• sensing an engine coolant temperature;
• providing an inferred engine coolant temperature;
• calculating a normalized value of engine coolant temperature according to a predetermined function;
• and
• basing said engine coolant temperature value on said normalized engine coolant temperature when said inferred engine coolant temperature differs from said sensed engine coolant temperature by more than a predetermined amount.