Using an Oscilloscope to Monitor the Operating Parameters of a Control System (Opel Corsa B)

General information

Digital multimeters are great for testing static electrical circuits and for recording slow changes in monitored parameters. When performing dynamic tests on a running engine and when identifying the causes of sporadic failures, an oscilloscope becomes an absolutely indispensable tool.

Some oscilloscopes allow you to save oscillograms in a built-in memory module with subsequent printing of the results or transferring them to a personal computer drive in stationary conditions.

The oscilloscope allows you to observe periodic signals and measure voltage, frequency, width (duration) rectangular pulses, as well as slowly changing voltage levels. The oscilloscope can be used to perform the following procedures:

• Detection of unstable failures;
• Checking the results of the corrections made;
• Monitoring the activity of the lambda probe of the engine management system equipped with a catalytic converter;
• Analysis of signals generated by the lambda probe, the deviation of parameters of which from the norm is an unconditional evidence of a malfunction of the control system as a whole. On the other hand, the correctness of the form of pulses generated by the sensor can serve as a reliable guarantee of the absence of violations in the control system.

The reliability and ease of use of modern oscilloscopes do not require any special knowledge or experience from the operator. Interpretation of the information obtained can be easily done by means of an elementary visual comparison of the oscillograms taken during the test with the time dependencies given below, typical for various sensors and actuators of automobile control systems.

Parameters of periodic signals

General information

Each signal recorded by an oscilloscope can be described using the following basic parameters:

Characteristics of an arbitrary periodic signal

• Amplitude: The difference between the maximum and minimum voltages (V) of the signal within the period;
• Period: Signal cycle duration (ms);
• Frequency: Number of cycles per second (Hz);
• Width: Rectangular pulse duration (ms, μs);
• Duty Cycle: The ratio of the repetition period to the width (in foreign terminology, the inverse of the duty cycle is used, called the duty cycle, expressed in %);
• Signal form: Rectangular wave, spike, sine wave, sawtooth wave, etc.

Typically, the characteristics of a faulty device differ greatly from the reference ones, which allows an experienced operator to easily and quickly identify the failed component by analyzing the corresponding oscillogram.

DC signals

The only working characteristic of such signals is voltage.

DC signals are generated by devices shown below in the accompanying illustrations.

AC signals

The main characteristics of these signals are amplitude, frequency and signal shape.

Frequency modulated signals (FM)

The operating characteristics of frequency-modulated signals are amplitude, frequency, signal shape and the width of periodic pulses.



The sources of FM signals are the devices presented in the accompanying illustrations.

Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signals

The operating characteristics of pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals are the amplitude, frequency, waveform, and duty cycle of periodic pulses.

The sources of PWM signals are presented on the accompanying illustrations of the device.

Coded rectangular pulse sequence

The operating characteristics are the amplitude, frequency and shape of the sequence of individual pulses.

This type of signal is generated by the ECM self-diagnostic memory module of the engine management system.

By analyzing the width and shape of the pulses, as well as counting their number in each of the groups, fault codes stored in the memory (code 1223) can be read.

Engine Management System Self-Diagnostic Module Malfunction Code Signal (Code 1223)



The amplitude and shape of the signal remain constant, the recorded value will be output until the module memory is cleared.

Interpretation of oscillograms

The shape of the signal produced by the oscilloscope depends on many different factors and can change significantly. In view of the above, before proceeding to replace the suspected component in case of discrepancy between the shape of the removed diagnostic signal and the reference oscillogram, the obtained result should be carefully analyzed.

Voltage

The zero level of the reference signal cannot be considered as an absolute reference value - the "zero" of the real signal, depending on the specific parameters of the circuit being tested, may be shifted relative to the reference [1] (Digital signal) (refer to illustration) within a certain acceptable range.

The full amplitude of the signal depends on the supply voltage of the circuit being tested and can also vary within certain limits relative to the reference value [3] (Digital signal) and [2] (Analog signal) (refer to illustration).

In DC circuits, the signal range is limited by the supply voltage. An example is the Idle Speed Control (IAC) circuit, whose signal voltage does not change at all with engine speed.

In AC circuits, the signal amplitude is already clearly dependent on the frequency of the signal source, so the amplitude of the signal generated by the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) will increase with increasing engine speed.

In view of the above, if the amplitude of the signal recorded using the oscilloscope is excessively low or high (up to the cutting of the upper levels), it is enough to simply switch the operating range of the device by moving to the corresponding measurement scale.

When checking the equipment of electromagnetically controlled circuits (e.g. IAC system) when power is disconnected, voltage surges may occur [4] (Digital signal) (refer to illustration), which can be safely ignored when analyzing the measurement results.

There is also no need to worry about the appearance of such oscillogram deformations as skewed lower part of the leading edge of rectangular pulses [5] (Digital signal) (refer to illustration), unless, of course, the very fact of the front flattening is not a sign of a malfunction of the component being tested.

Frequency

The repetition rate of signal pulses depends on the operating frequency of the signal source.

The shape of the signal being recorded can be edited and brought to a form convenient for analysis by switching the image time base scale on the oscilloscope.

When observing signals in AC circuits, the time base of the oscilloscope depends on the frequency of the signal source [3] (Analog signal) (refer to illustration), determined by the engine speed.

As mentioned above, to make the signal more readable, it is enough to switch the time base scale of the oscilloscope.

In some cases, the signal oscillogram turns out to be mirrored relative to the reference dependence, which is explained by the reversibility of the connection polarity of the corresponding element and, in the absence of a prohibition on changing the connection polarity, can be ignored during analysis.

Typical signals of engine management system components

Modern oscilloscopes are usually equipped with only two signal wires, along with a set of various probes that allow you to connect the device to almost any device.

The red wire is connected to the positive pole of the oscilloscope and is usually connected to the terminal of the electronic control module (ECM). The black wire should be connected to a securely grounded point (ground).

Injectors

The composition of the air-fuel mixture in modern automotive electronic fuel injection systems is controlled by timely adjustment of the opening duration of the electromagnetic valves of the injectors.

The duration of the injectors' open state is determined by the duration of the electrical pulses generated by the control module and fed to the input of the electromagnetic valves. The pulse duration is measured in milliseconds and usually does not exceed the range of 1÷14 ms. A typical oscillogram of the pulse controlling the injector's operation is shown on the accompanying illustration.

Fuel injector opening control pulse



Often, the oscillogram can also show a series of short pulsations that follow immediately after the initiating negative rectangular pulse and maintain the injector electromagnetic valve in the open state, as well as a sharp positive voltage surge that accompanies the moment the valve closes.

The correct functioning of the ECM can be easily checked using an oscilloscope by visually observing changes in the shape of the control signal when varying the operating parameters of the engine. Thus, the duration of pulses when turning the engine at idle speed should be slightly higher than when the unit is running at low speeds. An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by a corresponding increase in the time the injectors remain open. This dependence is especially evident when opening the throttle valve by short presses on the gas pedal.

Using the thin probe from the kit supplied with the oscilloscope, connect the red lead of the device to the injector terminal of the ECM of the engine management system. Securely ground the probe of the second signal lead (black) of the oscilloscope.

Analyze the shape of the signal read while the engine is cranking.

After starting the engine, check the shape of the control signal at idle speed.

By sharply pressing the gas pedal, raise the engine speed to 3000 rpm - the duration of the control pulses at the moment of acceleration should increase noticeably, with subsequent stabilization at a level equal to, or slightly less than, the idle speed.

Rapid closing of the throttle valve should result in a straightening of the oscillogram, confirming the fact of overlapping of the injectors (for systems with fuel shut-off).

When starting cold, the engine requires some enrichment of the air-fuel mixture, which is provided by an automatic increase in the duration of the injector opening. As it warms up, the duration of the control pulses on the oscillogram should continuously decrease, gradually approaching the value typical for idle speed.

In injection systems that do not use a cold start injector, additional control pulses are used during a cold start of the engine, which appear on the oscillogram as pulsations of variable length.

The table below shows a typical dependence of the duration of the control pulses for opening the injectors on the operating state of the engine.

Engine condition	Control pulse duration, ms
Idle speed	1,5÷5
2000÷3000 rpm.	1,1÷3,5
Full throttle	8,2÷3,5

Inductive sensors

Start the engine and compare the oscillogram taken from the output of the inductive sensor with the given one on the accompanying illustration reference.

Typical oscillogram of a signal generated by an inductive sensor



An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by an increase in the amplitude of the pulse signal generated by the sensor.

Idle Speed Control Solenoid Valve (IAC)

In the automotive industry, IAC solenoid valves of many different types are used, also producing signals of different shapes.

A common distinguishing feature of all valves is the fact that the signal duty cycle must decrease with increasing engine load associated with the inclusion of additional power consumers, causing a decrease in idle speed.

If the oscillogram duty cycle changes with increasing load, but when consumers are turned on, there is a violation of the stability of idle speed, check the condition of the solenoid valve circuit, as well as the correctness of the command signal issued by the ECM.

Typically, the idle speed control circuit uses a 4-pole stepper motor, which is described below. The 2-pin and 3-pin IAC valves are tested in a similar manner, but the waveforms of the signal voltages they produce are completely different.

The stepper motor, responding to the pulsating control signal issued by the ECM, makes stepwise adjustments to the engine idle speed in accordance with the operating temperature of the coolant and the current engine load.

The control signal levels can be checked using an oscilloscope, the measuring probe of which is connected in turn to each of the four terminals of the stepper motor.

Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and let it idle.

To increase the load on the engine, turn on the headlights, air conditioner, or - on models with power steering - turn the steering wheel. The idle speed should drop briefly, but then stabilize again due to the operation of the IAC valve.

Compare the captured oscillogram with the one shown on the accompanying illustration of the standard.

Oscillogram of the control signal of the idle speed control system (IAC)

Lambda probe (oxygen sensor)

The Section provides oscillograms typical for the most commonly used zirconium-type lambda probes in cars, which do not use a reference voltage of 0.5 V. Recently, titanium sensors have become increasingly popular, the working signal range of which is 0÷5 V, with a high voltage level being generated during the combustion of a lean mixture, and a low voltage level during the combustion of a rich mixture.

1. Connect an oscilloscope between the lambda probe terminal on the ECM and ground.

2. Make sure the engine is warmed up to normal operating temperature.

3. Compare the oscillogram displayed on the meter screen with the one shown on the accompanying illustration reference dependence.

Oscillogram of the signal emitted by a typical lambda probe



If the signal being read is not wave-like, but is a linear dependence, then, depending on the voltage level, this indicates excessive leanness (0÷0.15 V) or over-enrichment (0.6÷1 V) of the air-fuel mixture.

If a normal wave-like signal occurs at engine idle, try pressing the gas pedal sharply several times - the signal fluctuations should not go beyond the range of 0÷1 V.

An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by an increase in signal amplitude, and a decrease by a decrease.

Knock Sensor (KS)

1. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM knock sensor terminal and ground.

2. Make sure the engine is warmed up to normal operating temperature.

3. Press the gas pedal sharply and compare the shape of the AC signal being recorded with the provided reference oscillogram.

If the image is not clear enough, lightly tap the cylinder block in the area where the knock sensor is located.

If it is not possible to obtain an unambiguous signal shape, replace the KS sensor or check the condition of its circuit wiring.

Ignition signal at the amplifier output

1. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM ignition amplifier terminal and ground.

2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and leave it idling.

3. The oscilloscope screen should display a sequence of rectangular DC pulses. Compare the shape of the received signal with the one shown on the accompanying illustration reference oscillogram, paying close attention to the coincidence of such parameters as amplitude, frequency and pulse shape.

Oscillogram of the ignition amplifier control signal



As the engine speed increases, the signal frequency should increase in direct proportion.

Primary winding of the ignition coil

1. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM ignition coil terminal and ground.

2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and leave it idling.

3. Compare the shape of the received signal with the provided reference oscillogram - positive voltage surges should have a constant amplitude.

Unevenness of the surges can be caused by excessive resistance of the secondary winding, as well as a faulty condition of the high-voltage wire of the coil or spark plug wire.