Fuel door sensor diagnostic systems and methods
View Patent ↗A diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a refueling indicator module and a diagnostic module. The refueling indicator module selectively indicates when a refueling event occurs. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in a fuel door position sensor when the fuel door position sensor indicates that a fuel door is in one of an open position for less than a first predetermined period when the refueling event occurs and a closed position for greater than a second predetermined period when the refueling event occurs.
1. A diagnostic system for a vehicle, comprising:
a refueling indicator module that selectively indicates when a refueling event occurs; and
a diagnostic module that selectively diagnoses a fault in a fuel door position sensor when said fuel door position sensor indicates that a fuel door is in one of an open position for less than a first predetermined period when said refueling event occurs and a closed position for greater than a second predetermined period when said refueling event occurs.
2. A plug-in hybrid vehicle system comprising:
the diagnostic system of claim 1 ; and
the fuel door position sensor.
3. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein said first predetermined period varies based on a refueling amount of said refueling event.
4. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein said refueling indicator module selectively indicates that said refueling event occurs when a fuel level increase is greater than a predetermined amount.
5. The diagnostic system of claim 4 wherein said refueling indicator module selectively indicates that said refueling event occurs when a tank pressure is less than a predetermined pressure after said fuel level increase.
6. The diagnostic system of claim 5 wherein said refueling indicator module indicates that said refueling event occurs when a vehicle speed is zero.
7. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein said refueling indicator module indicates that said refueling event occurs when a vehicle speed is zero.
8. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein said second predetermined period is greater than said first predetermined period.
9. A diagnostic method for a vehicle, comprising:
selectively indicating when a refueling event occurs; and
selectively diagnosing a fault in a fuel door position sensor when said fuel door position sensor indicates that a fuel door is in one of an open position for less than a first predetermined period when said refueling event occurs and a closed position for greater than a second predetermined period when said refueling event occurs.
10. A method comprising implementing the diagnostic method of claim 9 in a plug-in hybrid vehicle system.
11. The diagnostic method of claim 9 further comprising varying said first predetermined period based on a refueling amount of said refueling event.
12. The diagnostic method of claim 9 wherein said selectively indicating comprises selectively indicating that said refueling event occurs when a fuel level increase is greater than a predetermined amount.
13. The diagnostic method of claim 12 wherein said selectively indicating comprises selectively indicating that said refueling event occurs when a tank pressure is less than a predetermined pressure after said fuel level increase.
14. The diagnostic method of claim 13 wherein said selectively indicating comprises indicating that said refueling event occurs when a vehicle speed is zero.
15. The diagnostic method of claim 9 wherein said selectively indicating comprises indicating that said refueling event occurs when a vehicle speed is zero.
16. The diagnostic method of claim 9 wherein said second predetermined period is greater than said first predetermined period.