LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

What Is Open Loop

Old Jan 5, 2008 | 01:55 AM
  #1  
1sicss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Kyle, TX
Default What Is Open Loop

WHAT IS MEANT WHEN SOMEONE SAYS IS THE CAR RUNNING ON OPEN LOOP? i DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS CAN SOEONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME PLEASE. CAUSE I THINK THEY DID THIS TO MY CAR!
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 02:21 AM
  #2  
Alex94TAGT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Default

Our factory computers run in both Open Loop and Closed Loop:

1) When you first start the car, you're in open loop, and the PCM is NOT using oxygen sensor readings to adjust fueling. It's relying solely on the other sensors (MAF, MAP, rpm, etc.) to calculate how much fuel to inject into the engine, without knowing how good of a job its doing.

2) As I understand it, only after a timer has 'timed out' and the engine is above a certain temperature will the PCM then switch into closed loop mode. This is when it starts accepting oxygen sensor readings and adjusting the fuel trim accordingly.

If your car is running in open loop permanently, then your oxygen sensors are never used, and the PCM is not making corrections to the fuel trim. Not sure what year your vehicle is, but if you have datalogging software such as Datamaster, you can verify 'if' and 'when' the PCM is switching into closed loop mode.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 12:19 PM
  #3  
TXFORMULA's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Default

good Q and good answer. ive wondered this as well
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 12:50 PM
  #4  
koolaid_kid's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
Default

Your answer is correct, but incomplete. You also run in Open Loop when you are at WOT after the engine warms up. That is why it is important to tune in both Closed Loop and in Open Loop modes. You use a wideband to tune the AFR in Open Loop mode, which is what you use a dyno for.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:12 PM
  #5  
1badzee's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 0
From: SFL
Default

my car runs worse when it starts reading from the o2's... perhaps it's reversed? lol.. i think its because the o2 sensor wire is crimped together with a plastic connector (o2 sensor to harness, because harness end plug ripped off).. some ppl told me crimping the o2 wires can cause it to read wrong, so soldering it would solve this problem.. is that correct?
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:48 PM
  #6  
infinitebird's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,280
Likes: 51
From: Denver, CO
Default

Originally Posted by koolaid_kid
Your answer is correct, but incomplete. You also run in Open Loop when you are at WOT after the engine warms up. That is why it is important to tune in both Closed Loop and in Open Loop modes. You use a wideband to tune the AFR in Open Loop mode, which is what you use a dyno for.
Your answer is correct, but incomplete.

Actually at WOT you use power enrichment (PE) mode. This is basically an effective open loop mode in the sense that it does not use the O2 sensors, but it is not the same mode as when the car is cold and it is controlled differently.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:53 PM
  #7  
buffman's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 0
From: Kzoo, MI
Default

Originally Posted by koolaid_kid
Your answer is correct, but incomplete. You also run in Open Loop when you are at WOT after the engine warms up. That is why it is important to tune in both Closed Loop and in Open Loop modes. You use a wideband to tune the AFR in Open Loop mode, which is what you use a dyno for.

There are two seperate tables for this. Open Loop, and PE tables. PE tables are used for WOT application.

Opps Edit.. Didn't see Ibird's reply.
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:55 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE