Using an oscilloscope to monitor engine control system operating signals (Opel Vectra C)

Note: The material below is for descriptive purposes only and is not specific to any particular make or model of vehicle.

General information

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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:

• 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 signals generated by the lambda probe, deviations of the parameters of which from the norm are an unconditional evidence of a malfunction of the control system as a whole. On the other hand, the correct form of pulses generated by the sensor can serve as a reliable guarantee of the absence of violations of the control system.

4. 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 inspection with the time dependencies given below, typical for various sensors and actuators of automobile control systems.

Parameters of periodic signals

5. Each signal recorded by an oscilloscope can be described using the following basic parameters: (see accompanying illustration).

• a) Amplitude: The difference between the maximum and minimum voltages (V) of the signal within the period;
• b) Period: Duration of signal cycle (ms);
• c) Frequency: Number of cycles per second (Hz);
• d) Width: Duration of the rectangular pulse (ms, μs);
• e) Duty cycle: The ratio of the repetition period to the width (In foreign terminology, the inverse of the duty cycle is used, called the working cycle, expressed in %);

6. 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.

7. DC signals - only signal voltage is analyzed (see accompanying illustrations).

















8. AC signals are analyzed for amplitude, frequency and waveform (see accompanying illustration).





9. Frequency-modulated signals - the amplitude, frequency, signal shape and width of periodic pulses are analyzed (see accompanying illustrations).













f) Signal shape: Rectangular pulse train, spike, sine wave, sawtooth pulse, etc.





10. Pulse width modulated (PWM) signals - the amplitude, frequency, signal shape and duty cycle of periodic pulses are analyzed (see accompanying illustrations).















11. The shape of the signal produced by the oscilloscope depends on many different factors and can change significantly.

12. In view of the above, before proceeding to replace the suspected component in the event of a discrepancy between the shape of the removed diagnostic signal and the reference oscillogram, the obtained result should be carefully analyzed(see accompanying illustrations).

Voltage

13. 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] - see Illustration 4.12a) within a certain acceptable range.

14. 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] - 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 Control (IAC) circuit, the signal voltage of which does not change at all with changes in engine speed.

16. In alternating current circuits, the signal amplitude already clearly depends on the frequency of the signal source, so the amplitude of the signal generated by the crankshaft position sensor (CSP) will increase with increasing engine speed.

17. 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.

18. When checking the equipment of electromagnetically controlled circuits (e.g. IAC system) when the power supply is disconnected, voltage surges may be observed ([4] - see illustration 4.12a), which can be safely ignored when analyzing the measurement results.

19. You should also not worry if such oscillogram deformations appear as a flattening of the lower part of the leading edge of rectangular pulses ([5] - see illustration 4.12a), unless, of course, the very fact of the flattening of the front is not a sign of a malfunction of the component being tested.

Frequency

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

21. 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.

22. When observing signals in an AC circuit, the time base of the oscilloscope depends on the frequency of the signal source ([3] - see Figure 4.12b), determined by the engine speed.

23. As already mentioned above, to convert the signal to a readable form, it is sufficient to switch the time base scale of the oscilloscope

24. In some cases, the signal oscillogram turns out to be mirrored relative 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 prohibition on changing the polarity of the connection, can be ignored during analysis.

Typical signals of engine management system components

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

26. The red wire connected to the positive terminal of the oscilloscope is usually connected to the terminal of the Electronic Control Module (ECM). The black wire should be connected to a reliable ground point (ground).

Fuel injectors

27. Control of the composition of the air-fuel mixture in modern automotive electronic fuel injection systems is carried out by timely adjustment of the opening duration of the electromagnetic valves of the injectors.

28. 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 in the accompanying illustration.



29. Often, a series of short pulsations can also be observed on the oscillogram, immediately following the initiating negative rectangular pulse and maintaining the electromagnetic valve of the injector in the open state, as well as a sharp positive voltage surge accompanying the moment the valve closes.

30. The correct operation can be easily checked with the help of an oscilloscope by visually observing changes in the shape of the control signal when varying the engine operating parameters. Thus, the pulse duration when turning the engine at idle speed should be somewhat 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 briefly pressing the gas pedal.

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

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

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

34. 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.

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

36. When starting cold, the engine requires some enrichment of the air-fuel mixture, which is ensured by automatically increasing 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.

37. 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.

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 speed	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 reference one shown in the accompanying illustration.



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 Control Solenoid Valve (IAC)

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

42. 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.

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

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

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

46. 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.

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

48. 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.

49. Compare the captured oscillogram with the reference one shown in the accompanying illustration.

Lambda probe (oxygen sensor)

Note: This section contains oscillograms typical for the zirconium-type lambda probes most commonly used in cars, which do not use a 0.5 V reference voltage. Recently, titanium sensors have become increasingly popular, with an operating signal range of 0+5 V, with a high voltage level being generated during lean-mixture combustion, and a low voltage level being generated during enriched-mixture combustion.

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 meter screen with the reference dependence shown in the accompanying illustration.



53 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.

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

55. An increase in engine speed should be accompanied by an increase in the signal amplitude, and 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. Press the gas pedal sharply and compare the shape of the AC signal being recorded with the reference oscillogram shown in the accompanying illustration.



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

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

Ignition signal at the amplifier output

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

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

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



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64. As the engine speed increases, 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 idling.

67. Compare the shape of the received signal with the reference oscillogram shown in the accompanying illustration - positive voltage surges should have a constant amplitude.



68. Uneven surges may be caused by excessive resistance in the secondary winding, as well as a faulty condition of the high-voltage wires of the coil or spark plug wire.