System and method for misfire detection for dual spark plug engine

Abstract

A system for detecting a source of a misfire for a turbulent jet ignition (TJI) engine having a first ignition device disposed in a pre-chamber of a cylinder head and a second ignition device disposed for communication with a main combustion chamber is presented. The system includes a controller that determines engine operating conditions; generates a first spark from the first ignition device at a first time; generates a second spark from the second ignition device at a second time; activates a skipfire mode based on a determination that the engine operating conditions are satisfactory, wherein in the skipfire mode, the controller generates a modified second spark at a modified second time, the modified second time being later than the second time; and determines a misfire event based on sensing ionization of gasses at the main combustion chamber subsequent to firing the first and second ignition devices.