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05 TB DOD status?

15K views 19 replies 16 participants last post by  Bounty_Hunter 
#1 ·
Is there any way that I can tell whether I have 4 or 8 cylinders firing while I'm driving? Thought it might be interesting to watch. I certainly can't tell by watching the tach or by seat of my pants.
 
#5 ·
If you have GM techline, you can read all about DOD. Contrary to what most people think, it doesn't run all of the time even if you are cruising on level roads all day. It cycles 10 minutes on and then 1 minute off. So the 4 DOD cylinders will work at least 1 every 10 minutes. I believe it cuts off cylinders 1, 4, 6 and 7. I'll see if I can find it again and I'll post here later.

You may notice a difference in exhaust tone but usually the engine is working harder anyways. You will notice a MPG increase depending on how much you stay at one speed on level roads.

It is instantaneous because it picks the next cylinder (1, 4, 6 and 7) that is ready to fire when it cuts off. Since a piston fires 2-3 times a second at 2000 rpm for a V-8 you will not notice anything.
 
#6 ·
Alright guys (and girls). Here is a lot of info about DOD that I retrieved from GM Techline. I thought about doing an article on this but I just don't have much time since I'm moving into a new house and retiring from the USAF in the next few months.

Document ID# 1417988
2005 GMC Truck Envoy - 4WD


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Displacement on Demand (DoD) System Description
To provide maximum fuel economy under light load driving conditions, the engine control module (ECM) will command the displacement on demand (DoD) system to deactivate engine cylinders 1 and 7 on the left bank, and cylinders 4 and 6 on the right bank, switching to a V4 mode. The engine will operate on 8 cylinders, or V8 mode, during engine starting, engine idling, and medium to heavy throttle applications.

When commanded ON, the ECM will determine what cylinder is firing, and begin deactivation on the next closest DoD cylinder in firing order sequence. The Gen IV engine has a firing order of 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. If cylinder number 1 is on its combustion event when DoD is commanded ON, the next cylinder in the firing order sequence that can be deactivated is cylinder number 7. If cylinder number 5 is on its combustion event when DoD is commanded ON, then the next cylinder in the firing order sequence that can be deactivated is cylinder number 4.

Cylinder deactivation is accomplished by not allowing the intake and exhaust valves to open on the selected cylinders by using special valve lifters. The deactivation lifters contain spring loaded locking pins that connect the internal pin housing of the lifter to the outer housing. The pin housing contains the lifter plunger and pushrod seat which interfaces with the pushrod. The outer housing contacts the camshaft lobe through a roller. During V8 mode, the locking pins are pushed outward by spring force, locking the pin housing and outer housing together causing the lifter to function as a normal lifter. When V4 mode is commanded ON, the locking pins are pushed inward with engine oil pressure directed from the valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM) assembly solenoids. When the lifter pin housing is unlocked from the outer housing, the internal pin housing will remain stationary, while the outer housing will move with the profile of the camshaft lobe, which results in the valve remaining closed. One VLOM solenoid controls both the intake and exhaust valves for each deactivating cylinder. There are 2 distinct oil passages going to each DoD lifter bore, one for the hydraulic lash-adjusting feature of the lifter, and one for controlling the locking pins used for cylinder deactivation.

Although both intake and exhaust valve lifters are controlled by the same solenoid in the VLOM, the intake and exhaust valves do not become deactivated at the same time. Cylinder deactivation is timed so that the cylinder is on an intake event. During an intake event, the intake cam lobe is pushing the valve lifter upwards to open the intake valve against the force of the valve spring. The force exerted by the valve spring is acting on the side of the lifter locking pins, preventing them from moving until the intake valve has closed. When the intake valve lifter reaches the base circle of the camshaft lobe, the valve spring force is reduced, allowing the locking pins to move, deactivating the intake valve. However, when DoD is commanded ON, the exhaust valve for the deactivated cylinder is in the closed position, allowing the locking pins on the valve lifter to move immediately, and deactivate the exhaust valve.

By deactivating the exhaust valve first, this allows the capture of a burnt air/fuel charge or exhaust gas charge in the combustion chamber. The capture of exhaust gases in the combustion chamber will contribute to a reduction in oil consumption, noise and vibration levels, and exhaust emissions when operating in V4 mode. During the transition from V8 to V4 mode, the fuel injectors will be turned OFF on the deactivated cylinders. The ignition system secondary voltage or spark is still present across the spark plug electrodes on the deactivated cylinders. If all enabling conditions are met and maintained for DoD operation, the ECM calibrations will limit cylinder deactivation to a cycle time of 10 minutes in V4 mode, and then return to V8 mode for 1 minute.

Switching between V8 and V4 mode is accomplished in less than 250 milliseconds, making the transitions seamless and transparent to the vehicle operator. The 250 milliseconds includes the time for the ECM to sequence the transitions, the response time for the VLOM solenoids to energize, and the time for the DoD valve lifters to deactivate, all within 2 revolutions of the engine crankshaft.

The DoD system consists of the following components:

The valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM) assembly
Eight DoD valve lifters, 2 per deactivating cylinder
The engine oil pressure regulator valve for DoD operation
Gen IV DoD engine block
The ECM
Valve Lifter Oil Manifold (VLOM) Assembly
The DoD system uses an electro-hydraulic actuator device called the valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM) assembly. The VLOM is bolted to the top of the engine valley, below the intake manifold assembly. The VLOM consists of 4 electrically operated Normally Closed Solenoids. Each solenoid controls the application of engine oil pressure to the intake and exhaust valve lifters on the cylinders selected to deactivate. Engine oil pressure is routed to the VLOM assembly from a passage on the rear of the cylinder block.

All 4 VLOM solenoids are connected in parallel to a fused ignition 1 voltage circuit, supplied by the powertrain relay. The ground or control circuit for each solenoid is connected to the engine control module (ECM).

When all enabling conditions are met for DoD operation, the ECM will ground each solenoid control circuit in firing order sequence, allowing current to flow through the solenoid windings. With the coil windings energized, the solenoid valve opens, redirecting engine oil pressure through the VLOM into 8 separate vertical passages in the engine lifter valley. The 8 vertical passages, 2 per cylinder, are connected to the valve lifter bores of the cylinders to be deactivated. When vehicle-operating conditions require a return to V8 mode, the ECM will turn OFF the control circuit for the solenoids, allowing the solenoid valves to close. With the solenoid valves closed, engine oil pressure in the control ports is exhausted through the body of the solenoids into the engine block lifter valley. The housing of the VLOM incorporates several bleeds in the oil passages to purge any air trapped in the VLOM or engine block.

To control any contamination to the DoD hydraulic circuits, a small replaceable oil screen is located in the VLOM oil inlet passage, below the oil pressure sensor. The oil pressure sensor is a 3-wire sensor which provides oil pressure information to the ECM.

During service, use extreme care in keeping the VLOM assembly free of any contamination or foreign material.

Engine Control Module (ECM)
The engine control module (ECM) is responsible for the management and control of all engine functions. Each ECM comes equipped with a specific set of software/calibrations designed for that engine and vehicle application. The ECM will determine engine operating parameters, based upon information from a network of switches, sensors, modules and communication with other controllers located throughout vehicle. Internal to the ECM is an integrated circuit device called a low-side driver. The low-side driver is designed to operate internally, like an electronic switch. An individual low-side driver controls each valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM) solenoid. When enabling conditions for V4 mode are met, the ECM will command the low-side driver to ground each VLOM solenoid control circuit, in firing order sequence. Internal to the low-side driver is a fault detection circuit, which monitors the solenoid control circuit for an incorrect voltage level. If an incorrect voltage level, such as an open, high resistance, short to ground, or short to power, is detected, the low-side driver, along with the fault detection circuit, will communicate the condition to the central processor in the ECM. The ECM will then command a return to V8 mode, set a corresponding DTC, and illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the instrument panel.

Displacement on Demand (DoD) Inhibit Reasons
Listed below are the powertrain conditions that will inhibit V4 mode, while operating under light load driving conditions:

Engine manifold vacuum low
Brake booster vacuum pressure low
Accelerator pedal position rate of increase too high, electronic throttle control
Accelerator pedal position too high, electronic throttle control
Ignition voltage out of range
Engine oil pressure out of range
Engine oil temperature out of range
Engine RPM out of range
Transmission gear incorrect
Transmission range incorrect
Transmission gear shift in progress
All cylinders activated via scan tool output control
Minimum time in V8 mode not met
Maximum V4 mode time exceeded
Engine oil aeration present
Decel fuel cutoff active
Fuel shut-off timer active
Minimum heater temp low, HVAC system
Reduced engine power active, electronic throttle control
Brake torque management active
Axle torque limiting active
Engine metal over temperature protection active
Catalytic converter over temperature protection active
Piston protection active, knock detected
Hot coolant mode active
Engine over speed protection active
Fault Active or Fault Pending--DoD is disabled for the following faults:
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
Brake Booster Vacuum Sensor
Engine Oil Pressure Sensor
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
Vehicle Speed Sensor
Crankshaft Position Sensor
Engine Misfire Detected
Displacement On Demand Solenoid Driver Circuit
The scan tool output control is used to deactivate half of the engine cylinders, V4 mode, by commanding all of the solenoids ON, or deactivate one cylinder switching to a V7 mode, by commanding ON one solenoid. Listed below are the powertrain conditions that will inhibit V4 mode, or V7 mode, with the engine running, while using the scan tool output control function:

Engine speed out of range
Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor fault
Accelerator pedal position too high, electronic throttle control
Piston protection active, knock detected
Engine oil temperature out of range
Engine oil pressure out of range
Engine oil aeration present
Engine metal over temperature protection active
Accelerator pedal position rate of increase too high, electronic throttle control
Displacement on demand solenoid driver circuit fault
Engine coolant temperature sensor fault
Catalytic converter over temperature protection active
Brake booster vacuum pressure low
Brake booster vacuum pressure sensor fault
Axle torque limiting active
Brake torque management active
Vehicle speed sensor fault
Engine coolant temperature too high
Engine not running
Vehicle speed not zero
Engine coolant temperature low
Reduced Engine Power Active, electronic throttle control
Transmission gear incorrect
Transmission range incorrect
Ignition voltage out of range
Maximum V4 mode time exceeded
Listed below are the powertrain conditions that will inhibit a DoD solenoid from being energized, with the ignition ON and the engine OFF, while using the scan tool output control function:

Engine speed not zero
Vehicle speed not zero
Transmission not in park or neutral
Ignition voltage out of range
For the system description covering the hydraulic/mechanical system of DoD, refer to Displacement on Demand (DoD) System Description in Engine Mechanical.


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Document ID# 1417988
2005 GMC Truck Envoy - 4WD
 
#8 ·
In the 05 TB EXT--You can tell the switch from DOD (V4) to V8 if you listen for the exhaust note.

When climbing a slight hill on the highway pulling a light load (less then 1000lbs) you can hear the enging shut off DOD and the exhaust note change to that sweet V8 sound :cool: all while the RPM gadge does not move AT ALL.

Then when you come down the other side of the hill, it seams as if someone just shut off your exhaust sound, because it goes into DOD and the exhaust sound disappears.
 
#9 ·
Dave, thanks for explaining DOD to me, I was getting worried that I missed a lot while I was in the Marine Corps and to see there is another DOD, I was a bit confused for a second or two. I almost had to ask the stupid question.:duh:
 
#10 ·
Bulldog said:
Dave, thanks for explaining DOD to me, I was getting worried that I missed a lot while I was in the Marine Corps and to see there is another DOD, I was a bit confused for a second or two. I almost had to ask the stupid question.:duh:
After being in the USAF for almost 20 years, I know what the other DOD you are talking about. (Department of Defense for those who care)
 
#11 ·
muddy tires said:
Is there any way that I can tell whether I have 4 or 8 cylinders firing while I'm driving? Thought it might be interesting to watch. I certainly can't tell by watching the tach or by seat of my pants.
I also heard the new Tahoe tells you when it is in V4 or V8 mode. I hope there isn't an annoying light that comes on.
 
#15 ·
Rob said:
Many of you are probably too young to remember Cadillac's disastrous V-8,6,4 of the early ‘80s. It was GM’s first attempt at DOD. Of course much has changed in 20+ years. I hope it works better this time, I’d like to get it in a few years.

It's funny you bring this up... When I bought mine my dad told me not to buy he V8 due to his nightmares with his old Caddy. I can't remember which year he had I know it was an Elderodo (sp). I was too young to remember it clearly - but he did say that many of them were retrofited to be a normal V8. In fact he just got rid of the car and bought the same car but with a 7+ litre motor talk about torque streer on a FWD car (I do have memories of that car :D ) Not to get all sappy but he passed away this past new years and wanted to thank you for bringing back some old good memories.

John


btw -- I love the I6 motor seems to make power from a tad above idle to redline!
 
#19 ·
My 06 also does NOT have a light...

It's really hard to tell, unless you've got a good ear and can hear the difference in the exhaust sound - or if you use some electronic "toy" to help out.

I use a Scan-Gauge and have 2 of its 4 gauges display the instantaneous GPH (gallons per hour) and MPG (which it calculates in real-time). When I'm on a level road, crusing, and see instantaneous MPG at 20+ (I've seen as high as 24), then I know the V8 is in DOD mode. When I hit a small hill, the instantaneous mileage drops down QUITE a bit, perhaps as low as 10 MPG (or less!). Thank goodness that the actual MPG is averaged over the time between fills. If I drive around in town, I get about 13 on the tank; but an extended highway trip has gotten me as much as 19 (and I expect better as the engine breaks in - only 4800 miles)...
 
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