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Kal-Equip Automotive Scope / GMM KAL 3840 User Manual

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KAL 3840
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Scope / GMM
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Summary of Contents for Kal-Equip Automotive Scope / GMM KAL 3840

  • Page 1 KAL 3840 Automotive Scope / GMM User’s Manual...

  • Page 2: Menu Overview

    DANGER W hen ha ndling a ny si gnals higher than 1 50 V peak , don t e lectrica lly a c t i v ate B OTH C H A an d/o r CH B terminal(s) AND USB terminal together a t a tim e .

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Menu Overview 1. Introduction 1.1 Comparing Scan Tools, DSOs and DMMs 1.2 Vehicle Service Manuals 2. Safety Information 3. Automotive Electronic Signals 3.1 Primary Signal Types Found in Modern Vehicles 3.2 Critical Characteristics of Automotive Electronic Signals 3.3 The Golden Rule of Electronic System Diagnosis 3.4 Signal Probing with an Oscilloscope 4.

  • Page 4: Vehicle Service Manuals

    If you had a DSO, you could look at the output signal from each of the wheel speed sensors. From this you would have discovered that the left rear wheel speed sensor had some very fast aberrations that caused the ABS computer to act strange.
  • Page 5 Avoid Fires: • Do not position head directly over carburetor or throttle body. Do not pour gasoline down carburetor or throttle body when cranking or running engine. Engine backfire can occur when air cleaner is out of normal position. • Do not use fuel injector cleaning solvents or carburetor sprays when performing diagnostic testing. •...

  • Page 6: Automotive Electronic Signals

    3. AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONIC SIGNALS 3.1 PRIMARY SIGNAL TYPES FOUND IN MODERN VEHICLES Once you become familiar with basic vehicle waveforms it will not matter how new or old the vehicle is, or even who manufactured the vehicle. You will be able to recognize signals that do not look right. Direct Current (DC) Signals The types of sensors or devices in a vehicle that produce DC signals are: •...

  • Page 7: Critical Characteristics Of Automotive Electronic Signals

    3.2 CRITICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONIC SIGNALS Only 5 critical characteristics (or information types) given from the Automotive electronic signals are important because the vehicle’s PCM considers them important. • Amplitude - The voltage of the electronic signal at a certain point in time. •...

  • Page 8: Getting Started

    4. GETTING STARTED 4.1 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION This instrument is a battery-operated 2-channel lab scope, advanced true rms graphing multimeter (GMM) designed expressly for use in the automotive service market. The main purpose of this instrument is to provide advanced troubleshooting capabilities for automotive service technicians in an easy-to-operate format. This instrument offers the following features: •...

  • Page 9: Quick Tour

    4.2 QUICK TOUR Powering the Instrument Press the POWER key to turn the instrument on. The instrument beeps once and turns on. At power on, the instrument displays the VEHICLE DATA menu as shown in Figure 1. VEHICLE DATA MENU CYLINDERS : 4 CYCLES BATTERY...
  • Page 10 Next, press the Four Way arrow keys to highlight PIP/SPOUT. Press test the input signal(s). Figure 3. Example of Result Display Press to remove the Reference Waveform(s). Press to enter the scope into the test mode and continue to display the Reference Waveform(s) for comparison to a live waveform(s).

  • Page 11: Front Panel Controls

    4.3 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS Key Control Overview Figure 4. Key Control Overview Key Descriptions ITEM KEYS DESCRIPTION & HELP Displays information about the highlighted menu choice during menu selection. Displays information about the function keys when a selected test is running. &...

  • Page 12: Grounding Guidelines

    COM, TRIGGER Used as external trigger for probes with dual banana plugs, such as the RPM Inductive Pickup. TRIGGER (as single input) Used in SCOPE mode to trigger (or start) acquisitions from an external source. COM (as single input) Used for safety grounding when the Capacitive Secondary Pickup is connected to the ignition system. WARNING T O AVO ID ELECTRICAL SHO CK, CO NNECT THE COM INPUT OF THE INSTRUMENT TO VEHICLE GROUND BEFORE CLAMPING THE CAPACITIVE...
  • Page 13 CHANGE VEHICLE Makes you be able to obtain the pin numbers and wire colors for both PCM and the other component connector from HELP ( ) on the selected vehicle you want to test. COMPONENT TESTS Leads to a series of predefined setups to test most common sensors and circuits. SCOPE Use Single Input Scope mode if you want to measure a single signal, INPUT B is turned off.
  • Page 14 Getting Reference Information for the Selected Test Reference information is available at any time by pressing the HELP key. Press when finished viewing each area under the HELP menu. HELP ( HELP MENU PIN # / WIRE COLOR TEST PROCEDURE REFERENCE WAVEFORM THEORY OF OPERATION TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS...

  • Page 15: Scope Mode

    KEYS icon indicates that you can use the Four Way arrow keys to change Volt & Time KEYS RANGE A ranges, to move the waveform position, and to adjust the trigger level for either INPUT A or INPUT B. MOVE A And also you can use the Four Way arrow keys to adjust the sensitivity level in the COMPONENT TRIG LVL TEST (IGNITION mode).

  • Page 16: Gmm (Graphing Multimeter) Mode

    4.8 GMM (GRAPHING MULTIMETER) MODE GMM mode plots the results of signal measurements such as frequency as the values change with time. The time range in GMM mode may be set manually from 5 seconds to 24 hours per display. Ranges for the vertical scale may also be set manually, and the available range depends upon the measurement being displayed.
  • Page 17 Function keys and Result Screen Figure 12. Scope Display Automatic ranging and signal tracking is on. Pressing AUTO ( ) sets automatic ranging and signal tracking on and off. If on, AUTO is displayed, if off, AUTO is disappeared. Trigger level voltage of INPUT A. Time base range.
  • Page 18 Single-Shot Function Normally the scope mode automatically repeats the measurements to acquire waveforms by the recurrent acquisition mode. SINGLE-SHOT allows you to perform single acquisition to snap events that occur only once. REPEAT TEST ( is used to start a next single acquisition. SCOPE INPUT INPUT...

  • Page 19: Gmm Displays

    Cursor Key Function A cursor is a vertical line or a horizontal line placed over the displayed waveform to measure values at certain points. The instrument can measure signal details by using Cursors. This function is not possible for all tests. Press CURSOR ( ) to display the Function key Menu for cursor operation.
  • Page 20 Code Measurement Graphing Type DC VOLT DC Average Continuous AC VOLT AC Average Continuous AC+DC VOLT AC+DC Average Continuous Ohms Continuous DIODE Diode drop Continuous CONTINUITY Continuity Continuous Cycle by Cycle FREQUENCY Frequency Cycle by Cycle DUTY CYCLE Duty Cycle Cycle by Cycle PULSE WIDTH Pulse Width...
  • Page 21 Testing Resistance, Diode, and Continuity Use this menu option to test resistance, diode forward voltage, and the continuity of wiring and connections. Connect the test lead tip and test lead ground across the object to be tested. GMM OHM CONTINUTY Press to measure OPEN CLOSE...

  • Page 22: Dual Input Scope Operation

    SINGLE cylinder waveform SPARK VOLTAGE BURN VOLTAGE BURN TIME Testing Injector Peak Volts and On Time MENU ( GRAPHING MULTIMETER GMM INJECTOR PEAK VOLTS GMM INJECTOR ON TIME REPEAT MAX/MIN TEST RESET PEAK VOLTS INJECTION PULSE WIDTH (ON TIME) Testing Dwell The test is done with the shielded test lead on INPUT A connected to the primary side of the ignition coil.
  • Page 23 INSTRUMENT SETUP : Use this menu option to set the following: • Optimal settings for display. • Optimal settings for noise filter to each INPUT. • Auto-Power-Off ON and OFF and adjusting Auto-Power-Off Time. • Language for menus and help text. •...

  • Page 24: Freezing, Saving, And Recalling Screens

    Normal. Use Normal acquisition mode to acquire 480 points and display them at the SEC/DIV setting. • Sample points Normal mode acquires a single sample point in each interval. The maximum sample rate is 25 MS/s. At 10 µs and faster settings, this sample rate does not acquire 480 points.

  • Page 25: Glitch Snare Operation

    The screen from memory 4 is displayed. • Press to remove the message and the following Function Key Labels will be displayed on the screen. MEMORY RECALL SEARCH BACK ERASE • Use to display the previous or the next screens in memory. These keys are effective only if more than one screen has been saved in memory.

  • Page 26: Automotive Diagnostics & Applications

    Noise Filter Turn on the Filter (INSTRUMENT SETUP menu) for the input channel you are using. This blocks frequencies above 2 kHz and should reduce ignition impulse noises and other noises of the short spike variety. Ground Connections Many sensors output signals are “single ended” meaning that a single output pin delivers the signal with being referred to a ground pin also on the sensor.
  • Page 27 ABS Sensor-Magnetic • Theory of Operation ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) wheel speed sensors generate AC signals with frequency proportional to wheel speed. The amplitude (peak to peak voltage) increases as the wheel speed increases and is greatly affected by air gap between the magnetic tip and the reluctor wheel.
  • Page 28 • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATION YEAR : 1995 Example of good O waveform from property operating TBI system at idle. Hash is normal. MAKE : Plymouth Avg. O voltage = 526 mV MODEL : Acclaim ENGINE : 2.5 L FUELSYS : Throttle Body Fuel Injection PCM_PIN : 41 BkGrn Wire STATUS : KOER (Key On Running) : Idle...
  • Page 29 • Troubleshooting Tips When a catalytic converter is totally deteriorated, the catalytic conversion efficiency as well as the oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter are essentially lost. Therefore, the upstream and downstream O closely resemble one another on an inactive converter. upstream sensor downstream sensor Catalytic Converter OK...
  • Page 30 • Test Procedure 1. Backprobe the terminals on the FT sensor with the CH A lead and its ground lead. 2. Start the engine and hold the throttle at 2500 RPM until the trace goes across the screen. 3. Set the time base to 50 sec/div to see the sensor’s entire operating range, from stone cold to operating temperature.
  • Page 31 Knock sensors generate a small AC voltage spike when vibration or a knock from detonation occurs. The bigger the Knock or vibration, the bigger the spike. Knock sensors are usually designed to be very sensitive to the Knocking frequencies (in 5 to 15 kHz range) of the engine block. •...
  • Page 32 • Troubleshooting Tips Check the manufacturer’s specifications for exact voltage range. Generally, the sensor output should range from just under 1 V at idle to just under 5 V at wide open throttle (WOT). There should be no breaks, spikes to ground or dropouts in the waveform.
  • Page 33 • Symptoms [OBD II DTC’s: P0340 ~ P0349, P0365 ~ P0369, P0390 ~ P0394] Long cranking, poor fuel economy, emissions problem • Test Procedure 1. Connect the CH A lead to the sensor output or HI and its ground lead to the sensor output LO or GND. 2.
  • Page 34 • Troubleshooting Tips The duty cycle of the waveform changes only when a “sync” pulse is displayed. Any other changes in duty cycle can mean troubles. The top and bottom corners of the waveform should be sharp. However, the left upper corner may appear rounded on some of the higher frequency (high data rate) optical distributors.
  • Page 35 • Symptoms [OBD II DTC’s: P0340 ~ P0349, P0365 ~ P0369, P0390 ~ P0394] Long cranking time, poor fuel economy, emissions failure • Test Procedure 1. Connect the CH A lead to the sensor output or HI and its ground lead to the sensor output LO or GND. 2.
  • Page 36 • Troubleshooting Tips The duty cycle of the waveform changes only when a “sync” pulse is displayed. Any other changes in duty cycle can mean troubles. The top and bottom corners of the waveform should be sharp. However, the left upper corner may appear rounded on some of the higher frequency (high data rate) optical distributors.
  • Page 37 • Symptoms [OBD II DTC’s: P0500 ~ P0503] Improper transmission shifting, inaccurate speedometer, problems affecting ABS and cruise control • Test Procedure 1. Raise the drive wheels off the ground and place the transmission in drive. 2. Connect the CH A lead to the sensor output or HI and its ground lead to the sensor output LO or GND. 3.
  • Page 38 Check the manufacturer’s specifications for exact voltage range versus vacuum levels, and compare them to the readings on the display. Generally the sensor voltage should range about 1.25 V at idle to just under 5 V at WOT and close to 0 V on full deceleration.
  • Page 39 Vane type MAF sensors, mainly, consist of a variable resistor (potentiometer) that tells the PCM the position of the vane air flow door. As the engine is accelerated and more air passes through the vane air flow sensor, the vane air door is pushed open by the incoming air.
  • Page 40 • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATIONS FREQ = 64.1 Hz YEAR : 1986 MAX = 4.93 V MAKE : Oldsmobile MIN = 0.00 V Frequency increases due to air MODEL : Toronado flow increase from snap accel. ENGINE : 3.8 L FUELSYS : Multiport Fuel Injection PCM_PIN : B6 Yel wire STATUS : KOER (Key On Running)
  • Page 41 • Symptoms [OBD II DTC’s: P0100 ~ P0104] Hesitation, stall, low power, idle problems, excessive fuel consumption, emissions failure • Test Procedure 1. Connect the CH A lead to the sensor output HI and its ground lead to the sensor output LO or GND. 2.

  • Page 42: Actuator Tests

    • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATIONS MAX = 1.86 V YEAR : 1994 MIN = 400 mV MAKE : Ford Ford EGR Differential Pressure MODEL : Explorer Sensor logged during snap acceleration ENGINE : 4.0 L FUELSYS : Multiport Fuel Injection PCM_PIN : 27 BrnLtGrn wire STATUS : KOER (Key On Running) : Snap Acceleration...
  • Page 43 • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATIONS MAX = 35.3 V YEAR : 1993 MIN = -2.00 V DUR = 3.92 ms MAKE : Ford MODEL : F150 4WD Pickup PCM turns ENGINE : 5.0 L circuit on here FUELSYS : Multiport Fuel Injection PCM_PIN : 58 Tan wire STATUS : KOER (Key On Running) : Idle...
  • Page 44 PNP Type Injector • Theory of Operation A PNP type injector driver within the PCM has two positive legs and one negative leg. PNP drivers pulse power to an already grounded injector to turn it on. Almost all other injector drivers (NPN type) are opposite. They pulse ground to an injector that already has voltage applied.
  • Page 45 Bosch-Type Peak and Hold Injector • Theory of Operation Bosch type Peak and Hold injector drivers (within the PCM) are designed to allow about 4 A to flow through the injector coil, then reduce the flow to a maximum of 1 A by pulsing the circuit on and off at a high frequency. The other type injector drivers reduce the current by using a “switch-in”...
  • Page 46 2. Start the engine and hold throttle at 2500 RPM for 2-3 minutes until the engine is fully warmed up and the Feedback Fuel System enters closed loop. (Verify this by viewing the O 3. Shut off A/C and all other accessories. Put vehicle in park or neutral. Adjust lean stop, air bleed, and idle mixture as per recommended service procedures for the carburetor being serviced.
  • Page 47 • Troubleshooting Tips If the waveform has runted (shortened) spike heights, it indicates a shorted EGR vacuum solenoid. If the waveform has a flat line (no signal at all), it indicates a PCM failure, PCM’s EGR conditions not met, or wiring or connector problem.
  • Page 48 • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATIONS FREQ = 158 Hz YEAR MAX = 12.2 V MAKE MIN = 6.40 V MODEL ENGINE FUELSYS : PCM_PIN : STATUS : ENG_TMP : VACUUM : MILEAGE : The idle control output command from the PCM should change when accessories are switched on and off or the transmission is switched in and out of gear.
  • Page 49 A door (called the wastegate) is opened and closed to regulate the amount of bypass. The wastegate is controlled by a vacuum servo motor, which can be controlled by a vacuum solenoid valve that receives a control signal from the PCM. When the PCM receives a signal from the MAP sensor indicating that certain boost pressure is reached, the PCM commands the vacuum solenoid valve to open in order to decrease boost pressure.

  • Page 50: Electrical Tests

    Look for the current going through the glow plug to be at its maximum when the ignition key is switched on. Maximum current and operating current specifications may be available from the manufacturer’s service manual. All glow plugs should draw about the same current under cold or hot conditions. •...
  • Page 51 2. Make sure power is switched on to the PCM and monitor the voltage level of the V Ref signal from the PCM. Compare it with the manufacturer’s recommended limits. 3. If the voltage level is unstable or the waveform shows spikes to ground, check the wiring harness for shorts or intermittent connections.
  • Page 52 • Symptoms No start, low battery, slow cranking • Test Procedure Before performing the alternator output voltage test, the battery’s state of charge should be checked and a battery load test should be performed. 1. Connect the CH A lead to the battery positive post and its ground lead to the battery negative post. 2.
  • Page 53 • Troubleshooting Tips If the voltage is high, there is no command to turn the alternator on or the regulator does not have the ability to decrease the voltage. If the voltage is low, the alternator will be on all the time and cause an overcharging state. If the voltage can not be pulled to ground sufficiently, there may be bad regulator within the PCM.

  • Page 54: Ignition Tests

    • Reference Waveform VEHICLE INFORMATIONS MAX = +473 mV YEAR : 1989 MIN = -509 mV MAKE : Buick MODEL : Le Sabre ENGINE : 3.8 L FUELSYS : Multiport Fuel Injection PCM_PIN : CH A to speaker (+) music starts new STATUS : KOEO (Key On Engine Off) note here ENG_TMP : Ambient Temperature...
  • Page 55 PIP (Profile Ignition Pickup)/SPOUT (Spark Output) • Theory of Operation The most common electronic ignition system found on Ford vehicles (primarily on Ford/Lincoln/Mercury) has been dubbed TFI for Thick Film Ignition. This system uses a Hall Switch in the TFI module, mounted on the distributor, to produce a basic spark timing signal, PIP (Profile Ignition Pickup).
  • Page 56 4. locate fouled or damaged spark plugs that cause a cylinder misfire (from the burn line). It’s sometimes advantageous to test the ignition primary when the ignition secondary is not easily accessible. • Symptoms No or hard starts, stalls, misfires, hesitation, poor fuel economy •...
  • Page 57 Firing lines should be equal. A short line indicates low resistance in the wire. A high Firing lines clearly displayed line indicates high resistance in the wire for easy comparison Spark lines can be viewed side-by-side for ease of comparison Cylinders are displayed in firing order •...
  • Page 58 • Troubleshooting Tips Look for the drop in the waveform where the ignition coil begins charging to stay relatively consistent, which indicates consistent dwell and timing accuracy of individual cylinder. Look for a relatively consistent height on the “arc-over” voltage or firing line. A line that is too high indicates high resistance in the ignition secondary due to an open or bad spark plug wire or a large spark gap.
  • Page 59 The secondary POWER/WASTE spark display waveform can be used to test several aspects of EI (or DIS) system operation. This test can be used to : 1. analyze individual cylinder dwell (coil charging time), 2. analyze ignition coil and secondary circuit performance (from the firing line), 3.

  • Page 60: Diesel Tests

    6.6 DIESEL TESTS MENU ( VEHICLE DATA IGNITION The diesel test functions are selected if “IGNITION: DIESEL” has been set in the VEHICLE DATA menu. To choose a preset DIESEL test menu, select COMPONENT TESTS from the MAIN MENU. From the resulting menu, select DIESEL TESTS menu.

  • Page 61: Maintenance

    Diesel Advance Diesel pump testers are used to calibrate pumps exactly to the engine’s requirements. The testers monitor the signals from the reference on the engine’s flywheel. The start of the delivery is monitored and timing adjustments can be made at different speeds. We can reveal problems in the timing of the start of fuel delivery compared to the TDC signal of the flywheel sensor through this advance measurement, which cannot be an absolute and accurate diesel pump adjustment test.

  • Page 62: Specifications

    8. Specifications General Specifications Operation temperature : 32 ˚F to 104 ˚F (0 ˚C to 40 ˚C) Storage temperature : -4 ˚F to 140 ˚F (-20 ˚C to 60 ˚C) Relative Humidity : 0 % to 80 % at 32 ˚F to 95 ˚F (0 ˚C to 35 ˚C), 0 % to 70 % at 32 ˚F to 131 ˚F (0 ˚C to 55 ˚C) Temperature Coefficient : Nominal 0.1 x (Specified Accuracy) / ˚C (<...
  • Page 63 Back Probe Pins : 3 ea (red, yellow and black) 2 mm Adaptor : 3 ea (red, yellow and black) Secondary Pick-up : 1 ea Ground Lead for Capacitive Secondary Probe : 1 ea (black) Inductive Pick-up : 1 ea Soft Carrying Case : 1 ea USB Interface...
  • Page 64 (AC+DC) Voltage Measurement Range Resolution 40 Hz ~ 400 Hz DC 500 mV 0.1 mV DC 5 V 0.001 V ± (0.8 % + 5 d) DC 50 V 0.01 V DC 500 V 0.1 V DC 600 V RPM Measurement Mode Range 4 cylinder...

  • Page 65: Glossary

    GLOSSARY Terminology Description Antilock Brake System Alternating Current AC Coupling A mode of signal transmission that passes the dynamic (AC) signal component to the input (INPUT A or INPUT B), but blocks the DC component. Useful to observe an AC signal that is normally riding on a DC signal, e.g.
  • Page 66 Terminology Description Cursor A vertical or horizontal line (kind of ruler) that you can place on the screen and move horizontally or vertically to measure values at certain points of the waveform. Direct Current DC Coupling A mode of signal transmission that passes both AC and DC signal components to the input (INPUT A or INPUT B) of the instrument.
  • Page 67 Terminology Description A resistor that has a Negative Temperature Coeffic ient; resistance decreases as temperature increases. Sensor Oxygen sensor Off-time The part of an electrical signal during which an electrical device is de-energized. On-time The part of an electrical signal during which an electrical device is energized. OBD II On-Board Diagnostics Second Generation (or Generation Two) OBD II Systems...

  • Page 68: Menu Overview

    Terminology Description Voltage Drop Voltage lose across a wire, connector, or any other conductor. Voltage drop equals resistance in ohms times current in amperes (ohm’s Law). Wastegate A valve used to limit charge air pressure by allowing exhaust gases to bypass the turbocharger.

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