The purpose of this test is to check a distributor pick-up’s Hall effect signal during engine cranking or running conditions.
View connection guidance notes.
This known good waveform has the following characteristics:
The function of a distributor pick-up is to provide a timing reference signal to the Ignition Control Module (ICM) or Engine Control Module (ECM) to indicate the primary circuit dwell period for each ignition event.
The mechanism uses a rotating assembly consisting of a set of rotating vanes (one for each cylinder) passing between a stationary magnet opposing a stationary Hall sensor. As the vanes pass in and out of the gap, the magnetic field is disturbed. Each disturbance causes the Hall sensor output to switch. Therefore, the sensor output is a digital signal with a low voltage at around 0 V and a high voltage up to the sensor supply voltage. An output around 0 V indicates dwell, or coil on time.
As distributor rotation is mechanically linked to engine rotation, an increase in engine speed reduces the dwell period but the dwell angle remains constant. At increased engine speeds, dwell is advanced by a centrifugal flyweight mechanism within the distributor.
The ICM or ECM, dependent on type, use the Hall sensor output as a (switched-earth) trigger of the primary circuit driver transistor. However, the module retains control of the actual dwell period and other charging parameters, such as current limitation, peak coil charge, and current cut-off.
This additional control ensures that an ignition coil is not overheated by too much dwell or that the spark duration is not reduced by too little dwell. Similarly, the actual dwell period can be increased during cranking to compensate for lower system voltages (to maintain the same overall coil charge).
For engine specific ignition dwell periods, consult manufacturer’s data.
Typical system faults will include:
Mechanical:
Electrical:
These faults would manifest themselves as:
GT020
We know that our PicoScope users are clever and creative and we’d love to receive your ideas for improvement on this test. Click the Add comment button to leave your feedback.