Pico Technology

Welcome to your latest Pico Technology Automotive Newsletter! This month we have a 2002 Ford Explorer Case Study (courtesy of Peter Meier), upcoming training dates, plus details on upcoming events that may be of interest, and some superb articles from across the web!!

1.  New Case Study: 2002 Ford Explorer Misfire

This month Pete Meier, of Motor Age magazine looks at a 4.0 V6 Ford Explorer, and its mysterious intermittent idle misfire! According to the customer, during the idle the engine would surge when first started and would even stutter a bit when put into gear. As the engine warms up, the problem fades and is much less noticeable. Luckily, Pete’s arsenal includes a Pico Technology automotive oscilloscope…so to read on and see the outcome of the investigation, and the reason for the misfire.

Read ‘2002 Ford Explorer Intermittent Misfire’

2.  Training Courses

If you own, or are thinking of buying, a Pico Automotive Diagnostics Kit, you mustn’t miss the Professional Diagnostics Ltd Engine Management Diagnostics course. This two-day course introduces the basic working principles of engine management systems, component testing and system diagnostics using oscilloscopes. The course is split between class–based theory sessions and practical demonstrations in a workshop using the Pico Automotive Diagnostics Kit. The course runs several times a year around the UK, and the following dates are currently available:

Direct PicoScope Diagnostics *Weekend Course*
15th-16th October 2011
Milton Keynes

Direct PicoScope Diagnostics Course
18th-19th October 2011
Motherwell, Scotland

Oscilloscope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by CES)
8th-9th November 2011
Chester

Direct PicoScope Diagnostics Course
14th-15th December 2011
Weybridge, London, England

Places are limited, so please call 07881 555385 to reserve your place, or visit www.prodiag.co.uk for more information.

Autonerdz, a Pico distributor based in North America, delivers PicoScope Oscilloscope Training both at their headquarters located in Olympia WA, and online.The following date is currently available:

PicoScope Hands On Class
7th October 2011
4715 Fir Tree Rd SE, Olympia, WA, USA 98501 (Autonerdz Training Center)

For further information, or to register, call Autonerdz on 877-628-4899 (Toll Free USA and Canada) or via email.

Diagnostic Solutions, a Pico distributor based in Ireland, delivers PicoScope Oscilloscope Training in Dublin. Please email colin@diagnosticsolutions.ie for further information.

Technical Topics are running a course on ‘Oscilloscope Diagnostics and Advanced Scopes’. Places are strictly limited, so please contact Technical Topics to book your place! The following date is currently available:

Oscilloscope Training Course 24th & 25th October 2011
Swansea, Wales

For further information and to book your place call Technical Topics on 01278 428 699.

Please contact your local distributor for information on training events outside the UK.

3.  Best of the Web

Pete Meier from Motor Age magazine has produced many useful videos, showing how he uses his Automotive PicoScope. This month we feature his “Testing Engine Health” video, keep an eye in future newsletters, for other videos Pete has produced!

“This presentation shows how to check relative compression with a digital storage oscilloscope. Using this method can save time over performing a traditional compression test. Two methods are shown…”

Note: This video has no audio, but onscreen notes are shown.

Many of you are aware of Autonerdz, and the great work these guys do, but did you know they now have a free app on the Android market? The app is designed to assist in the easy access to Autonerdz technical articles, and videos.

Our full collection of videos can be found in our automotive library.

4.  Forthcoming Exhibitions and Events

Please see our events page for the latest information about forthcoming exhibitions, courses and other events.

5.  Latest Software Releases

New release

As soon as we release new software, it is made available to all PicoScope Automotive Diagnostics Kit owners for free download from our website. To check which version you are using, start the PicoScope Automotive software and select Help | About.

The current version is: PicoScope 6 Automotive R6.5.80

See the Release Notes for a detailed list of recent changes and additions to the software.

Download the current version of PicoScope Automotive

Pico Labs Beta Releases

Beta releases are software releases that we are still fine-tuning. They are only available to existing users who want to upgrade their Pico products. For more information on beta releases see “What is a ‘beta release’ and should I use it?”.

The latest beta release is: PicoScope 6 Automotive R6.6.7

A short list of recent features added to the beta software can be seen below. To see a full list of release notes by version.

• Fix to measurement system not applying
• Add preference for save Vehicle Library on save
• Fix to custom DPI of automotive details
• Enable Resolution enhance for all devices
• Fixed External Trigger not working for some device
• Don’t show vehicle library on load
• Fix crash on load
• Enable WPS probes as standard
• Derivative was inverted
• Low Pass Filter not applying when first enabled
• Corrupt files when saving as Matlab
• Custom DPI in and combo box problem

Download the beta version of PicoScope Automotive

6.  Fantastic Opportunities to Join an Innovative Company!

Perhaps this is the year you will discover the benefits of working for Pico Technology:

• Design and development of exciting new products
• A culture of constant technical innovation
• Opportunities in test and measurement, and prestigious automotive markets
• A company that frequently wins awards

We currently have the following vacancies, but don’t worry if you don’t fit exactly into any of these categories. We are always looking for design talent.

• Development Engineer — Windows Desktop Application Software
• Development Engineer — Hardware

Find details of these positions, and an online application form, at pico.jobs. You can also send enquiries by email to jobs@picotech.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

7.  About this Newsletter

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