The purpose of this test is to check the fuel system on a common rail diesel engine by using the fuel rail pressure sensor.
Connection for diagnostic work will vary dependent on the application.
Technicians should whenever possible gain access to the test circuit without damage to seals and insulation. If this is not possible then make sure appropriate repairs are completed.
General connection advice
PicoScope offers a range of options within the test kits.
Dependent on the difficulty of access, choose from:
Testing sensors and actuators (to include relevant circuit/connectors):
The measurement starts with the ignition on, the engine off and the sensor output at 0.5 Volts, corresponding to a pressure of 0 bar.
As the engine cranks and starts, the sensor output rises to about 1.3 Volts, corresponding to a rail pressure of about 280 bar, a common value at idle in this early generation of the system.
With the pedal fully depressed, the engine control unit increases the injection quantity, which accelerates both the engine and a rise in rail pressure. After reaching a peak pressure at about 3.5 Volts, the engine control unit acts to regulate the rail pressure whilst maintaining maximum engine speed: with the vehicle stationary, the engine is unloaded and a high rail pressure is not required to maintain its speed, as indicated by the sensor output, which settles at about 2.5 V.
When the accelerator pedal is released, the engine returns to idle and the sensor output returns to 1.3 Volts, as was observed previously.
After the engine is stopped and the ignition is switched off, the signal drops slowly back to 0.5 V over about 10 seconds, after which the PCM powers down and the sensor output falls to 0 Volts.
The fuel rail pressure sensor provides feedback to the engine control unit, which regulates the rail pressure by either varying the volume of fuel delivered by the high-pressure pump or controlling the flow of excess fuel from the rail to the fuel return system. The engine control unit uses its internal calibration tables (maps) to calculate the desired fuel rail pressure and injection duration according to the accelerator pedal position (indicating driver demand), engine speed, load, and temperature etc.
The rail pressure sensor is calibrated to output a signal between 0.5 and 4.5 Volts with changing rail pressure across the range 0 to 1600 bar. This provides two opportunities for the engine control unit to undertake a signal plausibility check: any voltage above or below these values, for example, either at 0 or 5 Volts, will indicate that the sensor has failed.
A high-pressure system leak can be indicated if the sensor output rapidly drops to 0.5 Volts after the engine has been stopped, as might occur with a leaky injector, rail pressure regulator, inlet metering valve or pump.
Please note, the example waveform was captured with an unloaded engine; with the engine fully loaded over a prolonged period, the sensor output voltage will be above 2.5 Volts and, in the extreme case, up to 4.5 V.
Refer to vehicle technical data for specific test conditions and results.
P0087 – Fuel rail pressure sensor or rail pressure too low
P0088 – Fuel rail pressure sensor or rail pressure too high
P0190 – Fuel rail pressure sensor circuit open/short/failure
P0191 – Fuel rail pressure sensor circuit performance/range
P0192 – Fuel rail pressure sensor circuit low input
P0193 – Fuel rail pressure sensor circuit high input
P0194 – Fuel rail pressure sensor circuit intermittent
GT138-4
Disclaimer
This help topic is subject to changes without notification. The information within is carefully checked and considered to be correct. This information is an example of our investigations and findings and is not a definitive procedure. Pico Technology accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies. Each vehicle may be different and require unique test settings.
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Mike Valentine
January 26 2017
Hi X - These figures were obtained from the workshop manual for the vehicle under test. Thanks.
X
December 26 2016
Where did you get the values like 280Bar at 1.3V and 1600Bar at 4.5V. Is there any chart ?
