I am new member to the ford truck forum. Does anyone know if its possibe to use 20 Mhz oscope to diagnose auto engine problems? I resolved a problem PO301 code misfire on #1 cyclinder by checking wires and vacuum lines,then usng a step process removing and installing new plugs,plug wires and lastly replacing coil pack resolved the problem on 2002 Ford Ranger 3.0, 6 cylinder w/98,600 miles. The scanner used only stated the above 301 code. I want to examine/diagnose a future problems sooner by using oscope wave. Any information greatly appreciated.


Louis Drotos

 

Try: iATN - International Automotive Technicians' Network

I think you are supposed to be a professional. They had a library of waveforms, but I am not sure how accessible they are to just anyone.

tom

 

Yes a "scope" is usefull for diagnosing and testing components, the MAP sensor(if so equipped) is an example where it's required.

 

o-scope is an expensive thing. to see what's going on with engine lwer freq. o-scope you need. I use audio input and sound analiser programm to PIP, injector pulses, coil pulses (I use 2 channels). Resistor voltage divider is self made and calibrated with stationary o-scope.

 

Hello Pablo-UA
Can you download and send pictures of the equipment used?

Louis Drotos

 

it is VERY SIMPLE!

sensetivity of sound card is about 5mv. PIP pulses are 12V. On ignition coil - aout 18v is capasitor is good and up to 30V if it is bad ore wire is broken. if I wanna see semitractors injector pulses I have resistor divider for 100V (on Volvo truck puls is about 80V, DD and Mercedes - 40V).

This self made tools looks like a box with 2 switches and one resistor regulator. Audio input has 2 channels and I can compare crank. position pulses and cam. position pulses.

Many free sound analising programs have virtual o-scope.

well, It is not my idea. there are some good links
Atmega oscope - Hack a Day
Sound card oscilloscope based on Elvis oscope source code - Multifunction DAQ - NI Discussion Forums
Cheap-o-Scope 1.31 mac free download. Cheap-o-Scope is a small utility that will convert Quicktime movies into Adobe Filmstrip files and also convert Adobe Filmstrip files back into Quicktime movies.
[x]oscope - Digital Oscilloscope for /dev/dsp

 

Pablo
Thanks for the oscope information!!

Louis Drotos

 

Visual Analyzer 9.0 Visual Analyser 2009 HR for win2k, xp and vista
Visual Analyzer 8.30.21 Visual Analyser 8.30.21 older version that will work on 9X

The above are two programs that use the sound card to capture electronic pulses, using line in. They provide ground ( I think ) using the line-out. If you have a laptop, you can analyze your 'data' while driving around... But you need a designated-driver.

I just found out about them the other day, and have NOT tried to use either one.

I would like to find documentation in a language other than Italian that describes their use in a little more detail. I figure I have to do what Pablo did for the probe. You can make probes for real O-scopes following the recipe here:

How to build your own oscilloscope probes
How to Build Your Own Oscilloscope Probes

I haven't done this either, but expect I will in the near future.

Pablo, please make up a drawing of your switchbox with the values you used for the resistors, etc. The cromwell-intl site has a decent 'diagram' using ASCII character for an example.

tom

 

autonerdz.com used to have various waveforms -- and they probably still do. They are a business selling test equipment -- especially a pc based scope called the picoscope. But, they used to have a fair amount of info.

 

You can buy a used 20-60Mhz digital Tektronics oscilloscope on the net for around 250.00. New they are over a 1000.00. We use all types at work but this is the cheapest "good" oscilloscope on the market. You can also look for a Fluke scope-on-a-rope at a local pawn shop for 300-400$. They are nice if you are actually going to use them. Analog vs. digital is something you need to consider. Old school oscilloscopes were analog and work better in certain applications. You can get these used dirt cheap.
Google HP, Tektronix, Balantine etc.

http://testused.com/oscilloscopes/

 

20 - 60 MHZ!!! where will you find so hight frequanses in Ford EECV? May be inside? hah! what a processor speed????

PIP signal is Engine RPM*6/2= 6000*6/2=18 000 pulses per minute = 300 HZ! well. So sound card will let you see all. And MAP tone signal too!