Pull-up Voltage

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 What is Pull-up Voltage?

Pull-up voltage is a voltage supplied from within an ECM through an

internal resistor (typically 2K ohms). This reference voltage is used to
monitor the state (open or shorted) of a signal circuit. Pull-up circuits
are used on most sensor and switch inputs of electronic controls.

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 How Does it Work?

A series circuit can be compared to the pull- up voltage circuit.

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 This series circuit is constructed with two loads of the same size. The
voltage measured between each load to ground is 6 Volts.

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 If an open is created between the two loads, the voltage measured will
now be 12 Volts.

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 If a short is created between the two loads, the voltage measured will
now be 0 Volts.

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 When comparing this circuit to a sensor circuit of an ECM, Load 1
represents the resistor inside the ECM and Load 2 represents the Switch
or Sensor.

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 The point at which we measured voltage in the series circuit with a
voltmeter can be compared to the point where the signal sensing device
is measuring voltage.

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 The Signal Sensing Device is always measuring the voltage drop of Load
2.

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Measuring across a closed switch is the same as measuring across two points of a
single conductor. One would not expect a voltage drop.

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 The resistance of Load 2 can change according to the parameter
measured and the voltage value read at the Signal Sensing Device will
change.

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Measuring across a closed switch is the same as measuring across two points of a
single conductor. One would not expect a voltage drop.

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 If Load 2 is not present or a open occurs in the wires going to Load 2,
full voltage will be seen by the Signal Sensing Device because Load 1
has no path to ground.

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The code for this condition with a sensor would be Voltage high or Open
circuit (FMI 03).

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 If a short to ground occurs after Load 1 and the Signal Sensing Device,
no voltage will be seen by the Signal Sensing Device because it is now
measuring from ground to ground.

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 The code for this condition with a sensor would be Voltage low or Short
circuit (FMI 04).

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 If a closed switch is inserted in place of Load 2, the Signal Sensing
Device will see 0V.

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 This is usually a desirable signal in a switch input circuit.
For example: The switch would close when oil pressure is present.

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 If an open switch is inserted in place of Load 2, the Signal Sensing
Device will see 12V.

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 This is usually an undesirable signal in a switch input circuit.
For example: The switch would open when oil pressure is not present or
an open has occurred.

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 Typical Switch Circuit

Here is how the circuit would look on a machine.

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 953C Switch Circuit

This is an example schematic of a switch type input that a technician

would see on a machine.
Note: COMPONENTS ARE SHOWN INSTALLED ON A FULLY
OPERABLE MACHINE WITH THE KEY AND ENGINE OFF

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 Typical 2-Wire Sensor Circuit

2-wire sensors are monitored in the same manner as a switch, with the
exception of a variable resistor in place of switch contacts. The resistance
changes according to the measured parameter.

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 Typical 2-Wire Sensor Circuit

The signal sensing device will measure the voltage drop across the
variable resistor of the sensor. In this example, the desirable signal is
somewhere between 0 and 5 volts, but never 0 and never 5. If 0V or 5V
is sensed a fault is activated.
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 This is the operating range
for an Engine Temperature
Sensor

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 Engine Temperature Sensor

This is an example schematic of a 2 wire sensor type input that a

technician would see on a machine.

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 Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit

3-wire sensor circuits are monitored on the B and C terminals in the

same manner as a switch or 2-wire sensor circuit.

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 Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit

If an open occurs in the circuit full voltage will be received by the Signal
Sensing Device. The technician would receive a “Voltage high”, or
“Open” diagnostic code (FMI-03)

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 Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit

If a short occurs in the circuit, no voltage will be received by the Signal

Sensing Device. The technician would receive a “Voltage low”, or
“Short” diagnostic code (FMI-04)

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 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor

This is an example schematic of a 3 wire sensor type input that a

technician would see on a machine.

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 NOTE: Pull-up voltage values are application specific and may vary
between ECMs. Pull-up voltage sometimes is the same value as the
voltage source that powers the sensor, but does not have to be.

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 NOTE: It is not important to know what the pull-up voltage value is for
a given signal circuit. Measuring voltage on an open circuit will provide
no indication as to the integrity of the signal circuit in terms of excessive
resistance.

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NOTE: Measuring voltage on an open circuit will give you an indication
of whether or not a circuit is open or closed, a function already provided
by the ECM. What is important is understanding how the ECM uses
pull-up voltage to diagnose the signal circuit.

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 Questions?

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 OK, I have a few…

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 Question:

With the key on, what would the Signal Sensing Device see in the
condition shown?

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Answer: 5 volts or pull up voltage

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 Question:

What would the Signal Sensing Device see in the condition shown?

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Answer: 0 volts or none

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 Question:

Why does E.T. call this a “Voltage high” code?

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Answer: because the voltage seen by the signal sensing device is higher than it
should be.

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