If a composite engine has a communication line shorted to ground, will the vehicle start?

In a composite engine system, various components rely on a communication line to share crucial data for engine management functions. This communication line typically supports protocols that allow the engine control module (ECM) to interact with various sensors and actuators necessary for the engine's operation.

If this line is shorted to ground, it can lead to a significant loss of communication between essential components. While certain systems in a vehicle may operate with partial data or in a fail-safe mode, the essential parameters required for starting the engine are often compromised in this scenario. Localized failures may prevent the ECM from receiving the necessary signals from sensors, which can inhibit the starting process.

Thus, if a communication line is shorted to ground, the vehicle is unlikely to start, as the essential communication between the ECM and vital engine components is disrupted. Proper operation of the vehicle, especially in the starting phase, requires the integrity of communication lines to ensure the engine control unit can effectively manage fuel delivery and ignition timing. Therefore, the correct answer is that the vehicle will not start.