Control apparatus for a direct injection engine

A control apparatus for a direct injection engine, comprising:

• an electric control unit for controlling operating parameters of said engine;
• combustion stabilizing means, contained in said electronic control unit, said combustion stabilizing means being operable in response to a detection of a deteriorated combustion state of said engine, for alternatively and selectively causing said engine to operate in one of two recovery modes for restoring combustion stability, including a first recovery mode for restoring combustion stability while operating said engine with fuel injection during the intake stroke, and a second recovery mode for restoring combustion stability while operating said engine with fuel injection during the compression stoke, with operating parameters of said engine in said second recovery mode being adjusted to values that differ from corresponding operating parameter values in said first recovery mode;
• next operation mode determining means contained in said combustion stabilizing means and responsive to said detection of a deteriorated combustion state of said engine, for selecting either said first recovery mode or said second recovery mode depending on operating conditions of the engine, stable engine operation being restored in either of said first or said second recovery mode.