Technical Engineering College- Baghdad

Power Mechanics- Automobile

Electronics Automobiles Laboratory

Experiment No. 3
Testing a TP sensor using an Oscilloscope

Objectives:

 Explain how to use the oscilloscope.

 Learn how to test the throttle position sensor using the oscilloscope.

Theory:
An oscilloscope (usually called a scope ) is a visual voltmeter with a timer that
shows when a voltage changes. The difference between an oscilloscope and
a digital multimeter is simply stated as “pictures vs numbers”. A digital
multimeter is a tool for making precise measurements of discrete signals,
enabling readings of up to eight digits of resolution for the voltage, current, or
resistance of a signal. An oscilloscope is designed to visually depict waveforms
to show signal strength, wave shape, and the value of a signal.

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 OSCILLOSCOPE DISPLAY GRID

A typical scope face usually has eight or ten grids vertically (up and down) and
ten grids horizontally (left to right). The transparent scale (grid) used for
reference measurements. This arrangement is commonly 8 × 10 or 10 × 10
divisions.

 Voltage is displayed on a scope starting with zero volts at the bottom and
higher voltage being displayed vertically.
 The scope illustrates time left to right. The pattern starts on the left and
sweeps across the screen from left to right.

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 Schematic diagram of the UTD2000L series Oscilloscope (Front
panel)

 Scope Setup and Adjustment

Setting Volts per Division

The volts per division, abbreviated V/div, should be set so that the entire
anticipated waveform can be viewed see figure1. Examples include:
 Throttle position (TP) sensor: 1 V/div (8 V total)
 Battery, starting and charging: 2 V/div (16 V total)
 Oxygen sensor: 200 mV/div (1.6 V total)
 Knock sensor: 200 mV/div
Notice from the examples that the total voltage to be displayed exceeds the
voltage range of the component being tested. This ensures that all the
waveform will be displayed. It also allows for some unexpected voltage
readings. For example, an oxygen sensor should read between 0 and 1 V
(1,000 mV). By setting the V/div to 200 mV, up to 1.6 V (1,600 mV) will be
displayed.

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Setting the Time Base
The horizontal scale is divided into 10 divisions (some-times called grats) see
figure1. If each division represents 1 second of time, the total time period
displayed on the screen will be 10 seconds. The time per division is selected so
that several events of the waveform are displayed. Time per division settings
can vary greatly in automotive use, including:
 MAP/MAF sensors: 2 ms/div (20 ms total)
 Throttle position (TP) sensor: 100 ms per division (1 sec. total)
 Fuel injector: 2 ms/div (20 ms total)
 Oxygen sensor: 1 sec. per division (10 sec. total)
 Primary ignition: 10 ms/div (100 ms total)
 Secondary ignition: 10 ms/div (100 ms total)

Figure-1: Voltage and time per division.

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 DC and AC Coupling

DC Coupling
Is the most used position on a scope because it allows the scope to display both
alternating current (AC) voltage signals and direct current (DC) voltage signals
present in the circuit. The AC part of the signal will ride on top of the DC
component.

AC Coupling
When the AC coupling position is selected, a capacitor is placed into the meter
lead circuit, which effectively blocks all DC voltage signals, but allows the AC
portion of the signal to pass and be displayed. AC coupling can be used to show
output signal waveforms from sensors such as:

• Distributor pickup coils

• Magnetic wheel speed sensors

• Magnetic crankshaft position sensors

• Magnetic camshaft position sensors

• Magnetic vehicle speed sensors

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Checking the throttle valve potentiometer by using oscilloscope

 Best way to obtain changes of potentiometer signal is using an oscilloscope.

 Connect the oscilloscope active probe to the potentiometer signal terminal,
and the GND probe - to the engine ground.
 Turn the ignition switch ON position.
 Smoothly operate the accelerator pedal and then sharply release the pedal.
You must see a signal as in fig. 2.

Figure- 2: This is a properly working throttle valve potentiometer waveform - a

smooth voltage rising and fast collapse.

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Figures 3, 4 and 5 indicate defective potentiometers waveforms. You can clearly see the signal cuts, which means that
there are breaks in throttle valve potentiometer resistive layer and it has to be replaced.

Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

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Discussion

1. What is the difference between DC coupling and AC coupling?

2. What is the difference between an oscilloscope and a multimeter?

3. What setting should the volts per division be set to see the entire
waveform of the throttle position sensor?

4. Why it is important to adjust the oscilloscope before using it?

5. What are the sensors or actuators that can be checked using the
oscilloscope? (List them)

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