Secondary ignition pickup (capacitive with BNC)
10:1 Attenuator
Multimeter Probes
*At Pico we are always looking to improve our products. The tools used in this guided test may have been superseded and the products above are our latest versions used to diagnose the fault documented in this case study.
The purpose of this test is to examine primary and secondary ignition voltage on a distributor type ignition system.
WARNING
This test involves measuring a potentially hazardous voltage.
Please ensure you follow manufacturers' safety instructions and working practices and ensure the rated voltage for all accessories you are using meets or exceeds the expected voltage.
WARNING
Uninsulated HT pickups are designed to clip around double-insulated HT leads only – they are not designed for direct connection to a hazardous live voltage.
To prevent injury or death, when connecting or disconnecting an HT pickup:
View connection guidance notes.
This helpfile refers to a 10:1 attenuator. If you are using a 20:1 attenuator please adjust the Probe settings for the relevant channel. These settings can be found under the Channel Options button, then: Probe > 20:1 Attenuator.
The example waveform shows the exact relationship between the ignition's primary circuit and the secondary output. The primary circuit transfers its characteristics into the secondary through 'mutual inductance' and mirrors the primary exactly.
The blue trace shown in the example is the Low Tension (LT) signal, measured from the coil's negative terminal (marked number 1). The red trace is the High Tension (HT) output voltage measured at the king lead.
A permanent or intermittent loss of the secondary picture is usually due to a failing coil or HT (High Tension) voltage tracking to earth. Losing the primary picture will result in a total loss of HT voltage.
Go to the drop-down menu bar at the lower left corner of the Waveform Library window and select, Distributor ignition primary voltage or Distributor ignition secondary voltage
GT389
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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