Making Sense Out of Sensors Jim Halderman Dayton, Ohio.
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Transcript of Making Sense Out of Sensors Jim Halderman Dayton, Ohio.
Sensor Basics
• How does a computer “know” what is going on under the hood?
• How does the voltage change inside the PCM if changes occur at the other end?
Resistor Network
• Resistances can be used to simplify inputs.
• Ford Manual Lever
Position (MLP) is an example.
Temperature Sensors
• Use a semiconductor material that becomes more conductive as the temperature increases.
• This is called a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor.
PCM
• What will the PCM read if unplugged?
• What will the PCM read if the wire going to the sensor is shorted to ground?
Quick and Easy Metric Temperature Conversion
• Double the Celsius degree number
• Add 25
• Should be close to the Fahrenheit temperature
• Example: 50 degrees X 2= 100+25=125
• Actual= 122
ECT Sensor
• Is the sensor used in a stepped ECT circuit different from the sensor used in a one-step circuit?
• How many wires are used in a two-step ECT sensor?
ECT Sensor Authority
• The ECT sensor is a high-authority sensor especially at engine start
• Helps to determine the base pulse-width
• Can account for up to 60% of the pulse-width determining factors
Intake Air Temperature (IAT)
• Similar to the ECT sensor except it has opening for the airflow.
• Is used by the PCM to modify the fuel and spark timing program based on the temperature of the air entering the engine
IAT Sensor Authority
• The IAT is usually considered to be a low-authority sensor
• However it is usually capable of causing the PCM to add up to 20% to the injector pulse-width if the incoming air is cold
• The IAT can cause the PCM to reduce the injector pulse-width by as much as 20% if very hot air in entering the engine.
High-Performance IAT Sensor Trick
• If a 10 K Ohm 1/2 watt resistor is used in the place of the sensor, the PCM will “assume” that the air temperature is about freezing (32 degrees)
• This will cause the PCM to advance the timing compared to if the air temperature was warmer (4 to 8 degrees).
• Will increase the pulse width up to 20%.
Testing the TP sensor
• Great location to check for five-volt reference (Vref).
• General Motors recommends checking for PCM ground voltage drop at the TP sensor. (There should be less than 0.035 volts between the TP sensor ground terminal and the negative terminal of the battery.)
TP Sensor Authority
• The TP sensor can cause the PCM to command up to 500% (5 times) the base pulse width if the accelerator is depressed rapidly to the floor
• Can cause the PCM to reduce the pulse width by up to 70% if the throttle is rapidly closed
MAP Sensor
• Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
• A decrease in manifold vacuum means an increase in manifold pressure.
• Compares manifold vacuum to a perfect vacuum.
Silicon-Diaphragm Strain Gauge Design MAP Sensor
• Most commonly used.
• Silicon wafer is exposed to engine vacuum.
• This results in changes in resistance due to strain on the resistors attached to the wafer
(called Piezo-resistivity).
• Resistors are connected to a Wheatstone bridge and then to a differential amplifier, which creates a voltage in proportion to the vacuum applied.
MAP Voltage• Normal engine Vacuum is 17-21 in. Hg.
• MAP sensor voltage is normally between 0.88 volts to 1.62 volts (GM).
• 17 in. Hg. is equal to about 1.62 volts.
• 21 in. Hg. is equal to about 0.88 volts.
• Therefore, a good reading should be about 1 volt.
Capacitor-Capsule MAP Sensor
• Used by Ford.
• Uses two alumina plates with an insulating washer spacer to create a capacitor.
• The deflection due to engine vacuum changes the capacitance.
• The electronics in the sensor translate this into a frequency output.
Ford Frequency versus Vacuum
• KOEO…………. 156-159 Hz (0 in. Hg.)
• Idle (sea level).. 102-109 Hz (17-21 in. Hg.)
• WOT……………. 156-159 Hz (Almost 0 in. Hg.)
Ceramic Disc MAP
• Used by DaimlerChrysler.• Ceramic disc converts manifold
pressure into a capacitive discharge.• The discharge controls the amount of
voltage drop delivered by the sensor to the PCM.
• The output is the same as the previously used strain gauge/Wheatstone bridge design.
MAP versus BARO
• KOEO MAP should equal BARO.
• Will vary with altitude and weather conditions.
• The BARO reading is set at key on and updated if the throttle is detected to be at WOT and will update the BARO reading.
Testing a MAP Sensor
• Key on – engine off (KOEO). Voltage should be 4.6 to 4.8 volts at sea level.
• Check for vacuum to the sensor.
• Check the hose.
• Replace the MAP sensor if anything comes out of the sensor.
MAP Sensor Authority
• The MAP sensor is a high-authority sensor on an engine that uses the Speed-Density method of fuel control.
• If the exhaust is rich, try disconnecting the MAP sensor.
• If the engine now runs OK, then the MAP sensor is skewed or giving the PCM wrong information.
High-Performance MAP Sensor Trick
• Insert a plastic vacuum fitting into the vacuum line to the MAP sensor
• Use a hot straight pin and burn a small hole in the plastic fitting creating a small vacuum leak
• Do not exceed 0.020 inch hole
• PCM “assumes” a higher engine load and increases the injector pulse-width
Air Vane Sensor
• Usually contains an internal IAT sensor
• Works similar to a TP sensor where the air vane is used to move a potentiometer
• Airflow moves the vane, which causes a switch to close to power the fuel pump.
Karman-Vortex
• Named for Theodore Van Karman, a Hungarian scientist (1881 – 1963).
• He observed the vortex phenomenon in 1912.
• This type of sensor has proven to be very reliable and not subject to dirt.
Ultrasonic Karman Vortex
• Used by Mitsubishi in many vehicles.
• Very reliable.
• Early versions used LEDs and phototransistors, which were subject
to dirt.
Pressure-Type Karman Vortex
• DaimlerChrysler uses a Karman Vortex sensor that uses a pressure sensor to detect the vortexes.
• As the flow increases, so do the number of pressure variations.
• The electronic circuitry in the sensor converts these pressure variations to a square wave signal that is proportional to the airflow through the sensor.
Mass Air Flow
• A hot wire is used to measure the mass of the air entering the engine.
• The electronics, in the sensor itself, try to keep the wire 70° C above the temperature of the incoming air.
• The more current (amperes) needed to heat the wire, the greater the mass of air.
• The current is converted to a frequency.
Normal MAF Readings
• Use a scan tool to look at the grams per second.
• Warm the engine at idle speed with all accessories off. Should read 3 to 7 grams per second.
• GM 3800 V-6 should read 2.37 to 2.52 KHz.
• If not within this range, check for false air or contamination of the sensor wire.
MAF Sensor Diagnosis
• If the MAF sensor wire were to become coated, it cannot measure all of the incoming air.
• A normal warm engine at idle should be 3 to 7 grams per second.
• Rapidly depress the accelerator pedal to WOT. It should read over:
• 100 grams per second or• higher than 7 kHz or• 4 volts
MAF and Altitude Reading
Barometric pressure (BARO) is determined by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software at WOT.
At high airflows, a contaminated MAF sensor will under estimate airflow coming into the engine, and therefore, the PCM determines that the vehicle is operating at a higher altitude.
Visual Inspection
• Look for a very dirty filter.
• Look for fuzz on the sensing wire from fibers coming off of the filter paper.
Cleaning a MAF Sensor
• Can clean the sensing wire using alcohol and a Q-tip, if you are careful.
• Brake clean ?• Contact Cleaner ?• Cable Tie ?
MAF Sensor Authority
• High authority sensor
• If in Doubt-Take it Out
• If the MAF sensor is disconnected, the PCM substitutes a backup value.
• If the engine runs OK with the MAF disconnected, then the MAF has been supplying incorrect information.
Oxygen Sensors
• Oxygen sensors react to the presence or absence of oxygen in the exhaust.
• The voltage signal is used by the PCM for fuel control.
• The mixture must switch from rich to lean for the three-way catalytic (TWC) converter to work.
Oxygen Sensors
• An absence of oxygen results in a voltage of higher than 450 mV.
• The presence of oxygen results in a voltage lower than 450 mV.
Do Not Solder O2S Wires
• Universal oxygen sensors are often used when replacement becomes necessary.
• Many O2S “breathe” through the wiring itself.
• If the wires are soldered, then the sensor cannot detect outside oxygen.
• Use crimp and seal connectors if a universal sensor is used.
Oxygen Sensor Diagnosis
• If the fuel system is functioning correctly, the oxygen sensor voltage should fluctuate from above 800 mV to below 200 mV.
• As the oxygen sensor degrades, the range narrows.
• A sensor should at least be capable of reading above 600 mV and go below 300 mV.
O2 Sensor Diagnosis (Continued)
• Use a digital multimeter (DMM) set to read DC volts and use the min/max feature.
• Back probe the signal wire and operate the engine normally while recording the readings using min/max.
• The maximum reading should be above 800 mV and the minimum reading below 200 mV.
O2 Sensor Diagnosis (Continued)
• Check the average of the O2 sensor readings:
– If the average is above 450 mV, then the engine is operating rich or the sensor is skewed high.
– If the average is below 450 mV, then the engine is operating lean or the sensor is skewed low.
False Lean Readings
• A cracked exhaust manifold can cause oxygen to be drawn into the exhaust upstream from the oxygen sensor.
• An ignition misfire can also cause a false low-oxygen sensor reading.
• Remember that the oxygen sensor looks at the oxygen in the exhaust, not the unburned fuel!
Antifreeze Contamination
• If the engine has had a blown head gasket, be sure to check or replace the oxygen sensor.
• The silicates can coat the sensor.
• Dexcool and other organic acid technology (OAT) coolants do not cause this problem.
Oxygen Sensor Authority
• The O2S is a high-authority sensor when the engine is operating in closed loop.
• Can add or subtract up to 25% from the base pulse width (Some vehicles even more)
• If the sensor is skewed, it can create a driveability problem.
• If in doubt, take it out.• If the sensor voltage is not connected, the
PCM will go into open loop.
High/Low Authority Sensors
• High-Authority• ECT –especially when
the engine starts and is warming up.
• O2S-while the engine is operating in closed loop
• MAF• TP
• Low-Authority• IAT• TFT• PRNDL• KS
Position Sensors
• Two Types:
–Analog sensors - such as magnetic or variable-magnetic sensors
–Digital sensors - such as Hall-Effect magnetic-resistive or optical sensors.
Magnetic Sensors
• Used for Crankshaft Position (CKP)
• Used for Camshaft Position (CMP)
• Used for wheel speed sensors (WSS)
Ford Probe Story (2.5 liter V-6)
• Problem occurred at highway speed.
• Stopped running.
• Was towed to shop.
• Runs, but at idle only.
• Dies as soon as accelerator is depressed.
• Everything checks out OK.
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
• Can be magnetic• Look at the sequence
to determine application
• Notice that this is a 2,3,2 sequence sensor wheel.
The Soldering Gun Trick
• Hold a soldering gun near a magnetic sensor and the changing magnetic field around the soldering gun will induce a voltage into the windings of the magnetic sensor,
• The frequency will be 60 Hz.
• If used on a VSS and the ignition is on, the speedometer will read 54 mph (GM).
Hall-Effect Sensors
• Effect discovered by Edwin H. Hall in 1879.
• He discovered that a voltage is created if a magnetic field is exposed to an element.
• The voltage goes to zero if the magnetic field is shunted or blocked.
• Very accurate.
Hall-Effect
• Three-wire sensor– Power– Ground– Signal
• Output is a square wave.
• Very accurate and will work at lower speeds than a magnetic sensor.
Optical Sensor
• Produces a square wave signal.
• Very accurate – can be used to show every 1 degree of crankshaft rotation.
• Optical sensors do not like light; must be shielded (sparks inside the distributor can cause problems if the sensor is not shielded).
Magnetic-Resistive Sensors
• Generates a digital signal using two magnets.
• Electronics in the sensor generate a square-wave output signal.
CKP and CMP Waveforms
What type of sensor is used for the CKP?
What type of sensor is used for the CMP?