Note: The material below is descriptive only and is not tied to any particular make or model of vehicle.
General information
1. DMMs are great for testing electrical circuits that are in a static state, as well as capturing slow changes in monitored parameters. When conducting dynamic checks performed on a running engine, as well as identifying the causes of sporadic failures, an oscilloscope becomes an absolutely indispensable tool.
2. Some oscilloscopes allow you to save waveforms in the built-in memory module with subsequent printing of the results or transferring them to a personal computer carrier already in stationary conditions.
3. The oscilloscope allows you to observe periodic signals and measure voltage, frequency, width (duration) rectangular pulses, as well as the levels of slowly changing voltages. The oscilloscope can be used in the following procedures:
- a) Detection of unstable failures;
- b) Checking the results of the corrections made;
- c) Monitoring the activity of the lambda probe of the engine control system equipped with a catalytic converter;
- d) Analysis of the signals generated by the lambda probe, the deviation of the parameters of which from the norm is an unconditional evidence of a malfunction in the functioning of the control system as a whole. On the other hand, the correct shape of the pulses emitted by the sensor can serve as a reliable guarantee that there are no violations of the control system.
4. Reliability and ease of use of modern oscilloscopes do not require any special knowledge and experience from the operator. The interpretation of the received information can be easily made by means of an elementary visual comparison during the verification of oscillograms with the following time dependences, typical for various sensors and actuators of automotive control systems.
Parameters of periodic signals
4.5 Characteristics of an arbitrary periodic signal
5. Each signal taken by the oscilloscope can be described using the following basic parameters (see resist. illustration).
- a) Amplitude: The difference between the maximum and minimum voltages (IN) signal within the period;
- b) Period: Duration of signal cycle (ms);
- c) Frequency: Number of cycles per second (Hz);
- d) Width: Square wave width (ms, ms);
- e) Duty Cycle: Ratio of repetition period to width (In foreign terminology, the reverse duty cycle is used, a parameter called the duty cycle, expressed in%);
6. Typically, the characteristics of the failed device are very different from the reference, which allows an experienced operator to easily and quickly identify the failed component by analyzing the corresponding waveform.
7. DC signals - only signal voltage is analyzed (see resist. illustrations).
4.7a Engine coolant temperature sensor (EATING)
4.7b Intake air temperature sensor (IAT)
4.7s Throttle position sensor (TPS)
4.7d Heated lambda probe
4.7e Volumetric air flow meter (VAF)
4.7f Air mass meter (MAF)
8. AC signals are analyzed amplitude, frequency and waveform (see resist. illustration).
4.8a Knock sensor (KS)
4.8b Inductive engine speed sensor
9. Frequency-modulated signals - amplitude, frequency, waveform and width of periodic pulses are analyzed (see resist. illustrations).
4.9a Inductive crankshaft position sensor (TFR)
4.9b Inductive camshaft position sensor (SMR)
4.9d Hall-effect speed and shaft position sensors
4.9f Digital sensors for thermometric air mass measurement (MAF) and absolute pressure in the inlet pipeline (MAP)
f) Waveform: Square wave, burst, sine wave, sawtooth, etc.
4.9s Inductive vehicle speed sensor (VSS)
4.9f Optical speed and shaft position sensors
10. Pulse Width Modulated Signals (PWM) - amplitude, frequency, signal shape and duty cycle of periodic pulses are analyzed (see resist. illustrations).
4.10a Fuel injectors
4.10b Idle stabilization devices (IAC)
4.10s Ignition coil primary
4.10d charcoal canister purge solenoid valve (EVAP)
4.10e Exhaust gas recirculation valves (EGR)
11. The waveform produced by an oscilloscope depends on many different factors and can vary greatly.
12. In view of the foregoing, before proceeding with the replacement of the suspect component in the event that the shape of the captured diagnostic signal does not match the reference waveform, you should carefully analyze the result (see resist. illustrations).
4.12a Digital signal
4.12b Analog signal
Voltage
13. The zero level of the reference signal cannot be considered as an absolute reference value, «zero» real signal, depending on the specific parameters of the circuit under test, may be shifted relative to the reference ([1] - see illustration 4.12a) within a certain acceptable range.
14. The total amplitude of the signal depends on the supply voltage of the tested circuit and can also vary within certain limits relative to the reference value ([3] - see illustration 4.12a and [2] - see illustration 4.12b).
15. In DC circuits, the signal voltage limits correspond to the supply voltage. An example is the idle speed stabilization circuit (IAC), the signal voltage of which does not change in any way with a change in engine speed.
16. In AC circuits, the signal amplitude already unambiguously depends on the frequency of the signal source, so the amplitude of the signal generated by the crankshaft position sensor (TFR) will increase with increasing engine speed.
17. In view of the above, if the amplitude of the signal taken with the oscilloscope is excessively low or high (up to cutting off the upper levels), you just need to switch the operating range of the device by switching to the appropriate measurement scale.
18. When checking the equipment of circuits with electromagnetic control (e.g. IAC system) voltage surges may occur when the power is turned off ([4] - see illustration 4.12a), which can be safely ignored when analyzing the measurement results.
19. Also, don't worry about waveform distortion such as skew on the bottom of the leading edge of the square wave ([5] - see illustration 4.12a), unless, of course, the very fact of the flattening of the front is not a sign of a malfunction in the functioning of the tested component.
Frequency
20. The frequency of repetition of signal pulses depends on the operating frequency of the signal source.
21. The shape of the recorded signal can be edited and brought to a form convenient for analysis by switching the scale of the time base of the image on the oscilloscope.
22. When observing signals in an AC circuit, the time base of the oscilloscope depends on the frequency of the signal source ([3] - see illustration 4.12b), determined by engine speed.
23. As mentioned above, to conduct a signal to a readable form, it is enough to switch the time base scale of the oscilloscope
24. In some cases, the oscillogram of the signal turns out to be mirrored with respect to the reference dependence, which is explained by the reversal of the polarity of the connection of the corresponding element and, in the absence of a ban on changing the polarity of the connection, can be ignored in the analysis.
Typical Signals of Engine Control Components
25. Modern oscilloscopes are usually equipped with only two signal wires, coupled with a variety of probes that allow you to connect the device to almost any device.
26. The red wire is connected to the positive pole of the oscilloscope, usually connected to the terminal of the electronic control module (ECM). The black wire must be connected to a properly grounded point (mass).
Fuel injectors
27. The composition of the air-fuel mixture in modern automotive electronic fuel injection systems is controlled by timely adjustment of the duration of opening of the electromagnetic valves of the injectors.
28. The duration of the injectors in the open state is determined by the duration of the electrical impulses generated by the control module and applied to the input of the solenoid valves. The duration of the pulses is measured in milliseconds and is usually within the range of 1+14 ms. illustrations.
4.28 Fuel injector opening control pulse
29. Often, a series of short pulsations can also be observed on the oscillogram, following immediately after the initiating negative rectangular pulse and maintaining the injector solenoid valve in the open state, as well as a sharp positive voltage surge that accompanies the moment the valve closes.
30. Correct functioning can be easily checked with the power of an oscilloscope by visually observing changes in the shape of the control signal when varying the operating parameters of the engine. So, the duration of the pulses when turning the engine at idle 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 spent by the injectors in the open state. This dependence appears especially well when opening the throttle with short presses on the gas pedal.
31. Using a thin probe from the set supplied with the oscilloscope, connect the red wire of the device to the injector terminal of the ECM of the engine management system. Second signal wire probe (black) ground the oscilloscope securely.
32. Analyze the shape of the signal read while cranking the engine.
33. Starting the engine, check the shape of the control signal at idle.
34. 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 markedly, followed by stabilization at a level equal to, or slightly less than, the characteristic idle speed.
35. Fast closing of the throttle should lead to a straightening of the oscillogram, confirming the fact of overlapping injectors (for systems with fuel cut-off).
36. During a cold start, the engine needs some enrichment of the air-fuel mixture, which is provided by an automatic increase in the duration of the opening of the injectors. As the duration of the control pulses on the oscillogram warms up, it should continuously decrease, gradually approaching the value typical for idle speeds.
37. In injection systems that do not use a cold start injector, during a cold start of the engine, additional control pulses are used, which appear on the oscillogram as variable length pulsations.
38. 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 | 1.5 + 5 |
2000 + 3000 rpm | 1.1 + 3.5 |
Full throttle | 8,2 + 3,5 |
Inductive sensors
39. Start the engine and compare the oscillogram taken from the output of the inductive sensor with the one given on the resist. reference illustration.
4.39 Typical oscillogram of a signal produced by an inductive pickup
40. An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by an increase in the amplitude of the pulse signal generated by the sensor.
Idle speed solenoid valve (IAC)
41. In the automotive industry, many different types of IAC solenoid valves are used, giving signals also of various shapes.
42. A common feature of all valves is the fact that the duty cycle of the signal should decrease with increasing engine load associated with the inclusion of additional power consumers, causing a decrease in idling speed.
43. If the duty cycle of the waveform changes with increasing load, but when consumers are turned on, there is a violation of the stability of the idle speed, check the condition of the solenoid valve circuit, as well as the correctness of the command signal issued by the ECM.
44. Typically, idle speed control circuits use 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.
45. The stepper motor, in response to a pulsed control signal from the ECM, adjusts the engine idle speed in steps according to the operating temperature of the coolant and the current engine load.
46. The levels of control signals 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.
47. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and leave it running at idle.
48. To increase the load on the engine, turn on the headlights, air conditioning, or, on models with power steering, turn the steering wheel. The idle speed should drop for a short time, but then immediately stabilize again due to the operation of the IAC valve.
49. Compare the captured oscillogram with the one shown on the resist. reference illustration.
4.49 Oscillogram of the control signal of the idle speed stabilization system (IAC)
Lambda probe (oxygen sensor)
Note: The Section contains 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 operating signal range of which is 0 + 5 V, and a high voltage level is produced during the combustion of a lean mixture, a low voltage - enriched.
50. Connect an oscilloscope between the lambda probe terminal on the ECM and ground.
51. Make sure the engine is warmed up to normal operating temperature.
52. Compare the oscillogram displayed on the screen of the meter with that shown on the resist. illustrations of reference dependence.
4.52 Oscillogram of the signal produced by a typical lambda probe
53 If the recorded signal is not waveform, but is a linear relationship, then, depending on the voltage level, this indicates excessive over-depletion (0+0.15 V), or reenrichment (0.6+1 V) air-fuel mixture.
54. If there is a normal undulating signal at idle, try to sharply squeeze the gas pedal several times - the signal fluctuations should not go beyond the 0 + 1 V range.
55. An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by an increase in signal amplitude, a decrease - by a decrease.
Knock sensor (KS)
56. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM knock sensor terminal and ground.
57. Make sure the engine is warmed up to normal operating temperature.
58. Sharply squeeze the gas pedal and compare the form of the removed AC signal with that shown on the resist. illustrations with a reference oscillogram.
4.58 Oscillogram of the signal produced by a typical knock sensor (KS)
59. If the image is not clear enough, lightly tap on the cylinder block in the area where the knock sensor is located.
60. If the waveform cannot be unambiguous, replace the KS sensor, or check the condition of the electrical wiring of its circuit.
Amplifier output ignition signal
61. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM ignition booster terminal and ground.
62. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and leave it running at idle.
63. A sequence of rectangular DC pulses should be displayed on the oscilloscope screen. Compare the shape of the received signal with that shown on the resist. illustrations with a reference waveform, paying close attention to the coincidence of parameters such as amplitude, frequency and pulse shape.
4.63 Oscillogram of the control signal of the ignition amplifier
64. With an increase in engine speed, the signal frequency should increase in direct proportion.
Primary winding of the ignition coil
65. Connect an oscilloscope between the ECM ignition coil terminal and ground.
66. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and leave it running at idle.
67. Compare the shape of the received signal with that shown on the resist. illustrations with a reference oscillogram - positive voltage surges must have a constant amplitude.
4.67 Oscillogram of the signal at the terminal of the primary winding of the ignition coil
68. Uneven throws can be caused by excessive resistance of the secondary winding, as well as a malfunction in the condition of the BB wires of the coil or spark plug wire.
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