WAVELET APPLICATION FOR
DETERMINING MISSING CYLINDERS
N.Odbileg, B.Bayarsuren, Ts.Tsevegjav
Mechanical Engineering School of Mongolian University of Sciences and Technology
Absract
In this article, wavelet analysis to analyze signals in
the engine faults diagnose is studied. Taking
advantage of the wavelet analysis tools of
MATLAB6.0 software, it calculates the wavelet
transform coefficients of the normal and abnormal
signals, analyzes differences between normal and
abnormal signals by using the parameters, such as
average evolution root, kurtosis factor and average
index. Moreover, it put forward a new method, in
which the missing cylinder fault can be detected by
the wavelet analysis.
I. Introduction
Automotive electronic control systems have big
changes due to fast developments in electronics and
computer science. But those sophisticated systems
have more new faults and require more accurate
instruments, tools, and well trained personals to
identify and isolate faults.
In other hand, since 1990, Mongolia imports a lot of
used cars from countries such as Japan, Korea, and
Germany. Nowadays over 70% of cars used in
Mongolia is produced before 1997.
These used cars online diagnostic systems can not
identify and isolate faults fully. Faults like
intermittent missing cylinders are not identified even
by scanners.
It is still important for us to study methods which
could be used in designing cheap but accurate
diagnosing tools.
In this work normal and fault signals (when 2
cylinder are missing) of Volvo B230F engine CRS
sensor are transformed into Wavelet transformation
coefficients lines then compared for making a method
using Wavelet Transformation in detecting missing
cylinders.
II. Wavelet Transformation
Wavelet Transformation is the one powerful tool to
analyze any signal.
Wavelet means “small wave”, 5 wavelets are shown
in Fig.1.
If compare WT with Fourier Transformation it has
advantages such as making analysis in certain
location on signals.
Fig.1. Different wavelets.
Wavelet Transformation mathematically looks like
the equation (1). In this study the MATLAB Wavelet
Toolbox is used for transformation and analyzing
signals.

Wg f (a, )   f (t ) g a (t )dt  f (t ), g a (t )

 (1)
Many operations on signal, for example, signal
filtering and decomposing can be done by WT.
III. Comparing normal and fault signals using WT
Volvo B230F engine has an induction sensor for
measuring engine speed and crankshaft position. CRS
signal is sine as shown in Fig.2 and Fig.3 (on the top).
Two rotation signal of CRS is shown in Fig.2 and
Fig.3.When engine has no fault, CRS signal has
almost the same period and amplitudes no matter
what cycle runs in the cylinders. There is small
fluctuation in period and amplitudes (engine has
flywheel on the rear end of the crankshaft that
balances engine, so why fluctuation is small).
When B230F engine is idling, rotation speed is 780
rpm, and no fault, firstly the normal two rotation
signal (shown on the top of Fig.2) is acquired, then
the 4th and 2nd cylinders are shut off and engine speed
raised up to around 780 rpm, the fault two rotation
signal acquired (shown on the top of Fig.3). In two
rotation of crankshaft all four cylinders work. So the
two rotation signal has enough information about four
cylinders work.
B230F engine firing order is 1-3-4-2. It means in first 1
part of signal 1st and 3rd cylinders, in second part 4th
and 2nd cylinders work.
FRMS 
N
 a 2j
(2)
F peak
When analyzing two signals, firstly the signals are FCBE 
filtered, then WT coefficients are estimated and FRMS (3)
coefficients lines are built by MATLAB Wavelet
Toolbox (shown on the bottom of Fig.2 and Fig.3). Here FPEAK  max xi  ;
 a1  a2    an 
n

In Fig.2, when engine runs no fault, WT coefficients E A  a1a2 an  

line amplitudes are almost even, except small  n  (4)
fluctuation. But when 4th and 2nd cylinders are Here a1 , a2 ,an are amplitudes of normal and fault
misfired, amplitudes in the second part of the signal is
started to fall down clearly (in Fig.3, on the bottom). signal WT coefficient lines;
Without WT, on the acquired signal it is not seen. Table 1.
Engine
FRMS FCBE EA
speed
Signal
n, 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd
rpm part part part part part part
Normal 780 2.31 2.35 1.26 1.34 0.57 0.59
Faulty ≈780 2.23 1.87 1.41 1.46 0.11 0.41
Changes ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓
% 3.5 20.5 12.1 9.3 81.2 30.9

IV. Conclusions
After studying WT functions and comparing the
normal and fault signal WT coefficient lines the authors
conclude:
1. When a cylinder is misfired, CRS signal has
fallen amplitudes and longer periods, but it is not
Fig.2. Normal signal and its WT coefficient line of CRS. seen directly on the sensor signal because of
balancing by flywheel. But if WT is used it is
obvious and clear on the coefficients lines.
2. WT coefficient line can be used in determining
100% not working cylinder, also could be in
determining partially not working cylinders.
3. This methodology can be used in comparing
cylinders operations.

Fig.3. Fault signal and its WT coefficient line of CRS.
To compare the normal signal WT coefficient line and
the fault signal WT coefficient line, parameters such as
average evolution root FRMS, kurtosis factor FCBE and
average index EA are calculated by following
formulas and results given in Table 1.
REFERENCES
[1] Ozawa M, Trends of Research Development of
Car Diagnostic units, Automotive Engineering ,
Vol.27,N09, 1983
[2] Takaaki Moji, Prospects for Failure Diagnostics
of Automotive Electronic Control Systems, SAE
Paper 942055
[3] Zaleski J, V, TECH1 Interactive Diagnostic Tester,
SAE Paper 860392
[4] Rizzoni Georgio. A Survey of Automotive
Diagnostic Equipment and Procedures, SAE
Paper 930769
[5] Ono S. Resent Research on Diagnostics for
Dynamic Systems, Science of Machine, Vol.45,
NO2,1993
[6] Wavelet Toolbox User’s Guide,
ww.mathworks.com