Today’s technologically advanced vehicle powertrains bring huge rewards to us as consumers. Compared to previous vehicles, they have remarkable fuel economy, abundant power output, and significantly reduced tailpipe emissions. But access to components for testing hasn’t gotten any easier, I’m sure you’ll agree.
When facing driveability faults, it’s the symptoms felt by the consumers that drive what we are usually addressing as technicians. But a major factor in today’s vehicle powertrain analysis is what we face under the hood. There is little room to conduct the testing we’ve grown to trust in pursuit of the symptom exhibited. This means carrying out those same tests can be extremely time-consuming. Of course, if the test is justified, it’s worth the investment of time to conduct the test. But it may not be prudent to commit to that test first because of the amount of time that is needed to be invested.
However, there is an alternative approach, a test that offers great preliminary driveability data about what is happening inside the combustion chamber. Even more significant is that this test can be applied to almost any vehicle with a spark ignition internal combustion engine. This type of testing is known as Ignition waveform analysis.
In this edition of “The Trainer,” I will show you how to use the Autel DSO and related accessories to acquire and analyze these ignition waveforms. Even if you don’t own an Autel scope, these techniques apply to whichever scope you have.
Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information or improper use of this information. Endeavor Business Media assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Endeavor Business Media recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Endeavor Business Media. The tool and/or equipment featured in this video was supplied by the manufacturer and may or may not be retained by the reviewer at no cost.
