Operation and Diagnosis of 3-Wire

Sensors

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 Overview

• Correct Operation of Analog Sensors

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 Overview

• Correct Operation of Analog Sensors

• Correct Operation of Digital Sensors

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 Overview

• Correct Operation of Analog Sensors

• Correct Operation of Digital Sensors
• Diagnosis of Typical Sensor in a Circuit

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 Correct Operation of Analog Sensors

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 Internal Components of an Analog Sensor

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 Correct Operation of Digital Sensors

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 Internal Components of a Digital Sensor

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 Diagnosing Pressure and Temperature Sensors

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 Symptoms Leading to Diagnosing Sensors

• Active and/or logged faults

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 Symptoms Leading to Diagnosing Sensors

• Active and/or logged faults

• Action lamp or other alert indicators on

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 Symptoms Leading to Diagnosing Sensors

• Active and/or logged faults

• Action lamp or other alert indicators on
• Other performance indicators (cranks
but will not start, low power, etc.)

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 Inspect Electrical Connectors and
Wiring

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 Determine What Condition is Present

• Monitor Active Diagnostic Codes

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 Troubleshooting With Diagnostic Codes

• Always start at suspect sensor

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 Troubleshooting With Diagnostic Codes

• Always start at suspect sensor

• If the code indicates a “voltage high”, or
open, short the signal circuit to ground

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 Troubleshooting With Diagnostic Codes

• Always start at suspect sensor

• If the code indicates a “voltage high”, or
open, check supply voltage, then short
the signal circuit to ground
• If the code indicates a “voltage low”, or
short, check supply voltage, then open
the signal circuit

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 Diagnosing “Voltage Low” or Short

• Check for power; If OK then

• Disconnect suspect sensor
• Check for an active “voltage high”
(open) diagnostic code. Allow 15
seconds for any codes to activate.

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 Results

• OK – A “voltage low” code was active before

disconnecting the sensor. A “voltage high” code
became active after disconnecting the sensor.

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 Results

• OK – A “voltage low” code was active before

disconnecting the sensor. A “voltage high” code
became active after disconnecting the sensor.
• Repair: Temporarily connect a new sensor. Check
for active diagnostic codes. If the new sensor fixes
the problem, reconnect the suspect sensor. If the
problem returns, permanently install the new sensor.
Verify that the repair eliminates the problem.

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 Results

• Not OK – There is a short in the

harness between the sensor and the
ECM or the ECM is faulty.

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 Results

• Not OK – There is a short between the

sensor and the ECM or the ECM is
faulty.
• Repair: Leave the suspect sensor
disconnected

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 Results

• Not OK – There is a short between the

sensor and the ECM or the ECM is
faulty.
• Repair: Leave the suspect sensor
disconnected
• Create an open circuit at the ECM

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 Create an Open Circuit at the ECM

• Remove signal wire of the suspect sensor from the

ECM
• Check for active diagnostic codes

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 Results

• OK – A “voltage high” code (open circuit) became

active after disconnecting the signal wire.
• There is a short in the wiring between the ECM and
the sensor
• Repair: Inspect the wiring between the ECM and the
sensor. Repair or replace the faulty harness. Verify
that the repair eliminates the problem

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 Results

• Not OK – There is still a “voltage low”

diagnostic code (short)

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 Results

• Not OK – There is still a “voltage low” diagnostic code

(short)
• Repair: Connect a test ECM. If the test ECM fixes
the problem, reconnect the suspect ECM. If the
problem returns, permanently install the new ECM.
Verify that the repair eliminates the problem.

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 Diagnosing “Voltage High” or Open

• Check for power; If OK then

• Disconnect suspect sensor
• Create a short circuit at the harness side of the
sensor

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 Create a Short Circuit at the Sensor

• Monitor active diagnostic code screen

• Install a jumper wire between terminal “C” (signal)
and terminal “B” (sensor common) on the harness
side of the sensor connector. Wait 15 seconds for
activation of “voltage low” code.

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 Results

• OK – A “voltage low” diagnostic code (short)

is active when the jumper is installed. The
engine harness and the ECM are OK.
• Repair: Temporarily connect a new sensor.
If the new sensor fixes the problem,
reconnect the suspect sensor. If the problem
returns, permanently install the new sensor.
Verify that the repair eliminates the problem.

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 Results

• Not OK – The “voltage high” diagnostic

code (open) remains active when the
jumper wire is installed.

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 Results

• Not OK – The “voltage high” diagnostic

code (open) remains active when the
jumper wire is installed.
• Repair: Remove the jumper wire.
Create a short at the ECM

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 Creating a Short at the ECM

• Install a jumper wire between the terminal for the

signal of the suspect sensor and the sensor common
at the ECM
• Monitor the active code screen. Wait 15 seconds for
activation of any code.

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 Results

• OK – The ECM is operating properly. There is an

open in the wiring between the ECM and the sensor.
• Repair: Inspect the wiring and connectors between
the ECM and the sensor. Repair or replace faulty
harness components. Verify that the repair
eliminates the problem.

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 Results

• Not OK – The “voltage high” code (open) is still active

when the jumper wire is installed.

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 Results

• Not OK – The “voltage high” code (open) is still active

when the jumper wire is installed.
• Repair: Temporarily connect a test ECM. If the test
ECM fixes the problem, reconnect the suspect ECM.
If the problem returns, permanently install a new
ECM. Verify that the repair eliminates the problem

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 Invalid Signal Codes

Codes that do not indicate open or shorted state

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 Monitor Supply Voltage at
Sensor

• Install breakout “T” or test probes (spoons)

• Measure voltage between terminals “A” and “B”

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 Results

• OK: Measured supply voltage is supply voltage +/-

.5 volt. Proceed to measure signal at harness side of
connector.

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 Results

• OK: Measured supply voltage is supply voltage +/-

.5 volt. Proceed to measure signal at harness side of
connector.
• Not OK: Sensor is not receiving correct voltage.
Measure voltage at ECM using breakout “T” or
spoons. Inspect electrical connectors and wires.
Repair or replace faulty components. Verify repair
eliminates problem

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 Measure Signal at Harness Side
of Sensor

• With breakout installed, disconnect “C” terminal from

harness side of connector
• Using a DMM, measure the duty cycle between “B”
and “C” at the breakout while depressing and
releasing accelerator pedal

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 Results
• OK: Duty cycle is between 10 and 22 percent
while fully released. Duty cycle is between 75
and 90 percent while fully depressed.
Reconnect “C” wire. Proceed to measure
signal at ECM.

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 Results
• OK: Duty cycle is between 10 and 22 percent
while fully released. Duty cycle is between 75
and 90 percent while fully depressed.
Reconnect “C” wire. Proceed to measure
signal at ECM.
• Not OK: Duty cycle is not present or out of
range. Temporarily install a new sensor. If
the new sensor eliminates the problem,
reconnect the suspect sensor. If problem
returns, permanently install a new sensor.
Verify repair eliminates the problem.

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 Measure Duty Cycle at Harness
Side of ECM

• Use appropriate ECM breakout or

spoons at ECM connector
• Using a DMM, measure duty cycle
between signal and sensor return pins
while depressing and releasing pedal
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 Results

• OK: Duty cycle is between 10 and 22 percent

while fully released. Duty cycle is between 75
and 90 percent while fully depressed.
Temporarily connect a test ECM. If problem
is resolved with the test ECM, reconnect
suspect ECM. If problem returns,
permanently install new ECM. Verify that the
repair eliminates the problem.

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 Results

• OK: Duty cycle is between 10 and 22 percent while

fully released. Duty cycle is between 75 and 90
percent while fully depressed. Temporarily connect a
test ECM. If problem is resolved with the test ECM,
reconnect suspect ECM. If problem returns,
permanently install new ECM. Verify that the repair
eliminates the problem.
• Not OK: Duty cycle is not present or out of range.
There is a problem with the pedal position sensor
signal wire. Repair or replace faulty wiring. Verify
that the repair eliminates the problem.

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 Open “A” Pin

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