Pico Automotive Diagnostic Training

This is where we collect some of the best material we have for new users to reference and learn how to use their Automotive PicoScope.

PicoScope Automotive app

Your Diagnostic Journey

The PicoScope Automotive app will guide you through your journey in oscilloscope diagnostics.

Learn about PicoScope and the different kits available, use our Top ten Guided tests and benefit from tips on how to use your new PicoScope.
Note: This application does not connect to your PicoScope or display waveforms on your phone or tablet.

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Pico Automotive

Diagnostic Training Courses

Pico automotive diagnostic training courses are held at various locations, across the UK, Germany and in the USA.

Designed for customers who have purchased, or are considering purchasing the Pico Automotive Diagnostics Kit each course will help you get the best from the PicoScope software and diagnostic kit.

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Online training - Getting started
PicoScope 7 Automotive Scope School Part 1 – Introduction
by S Smith
An article covering useful information for new users of PicoScope 7 Automotive, such as what an oscilloscope is, how to acquire your first capture and how to adjust the settings for the voltage, probes and trigger.
Written tutorial
PicoScope 7 Automotive Scope School Part 2 – The Next Step
by S Smith
A continuation of the PicoScope 7 Automotive Scope School, going into further detail regarding signal and time rulers, zooming, custom start-up settings, saving and sharing.
Written tutorial
Scope School Part 1 - Introduction to PicoScope
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Scope School Part 2 - The next step
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
PicoScope basics video - Part I
by Paul 'Scanner' Danner
Video training
PicoScope basics video - Part II
by Paul 'Scanner' Danner
Video training
PicoScope 6 Automotive: Introductory training notes
by Pico Technology
PDF tutorial
Compression testing
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Parasitic drain testing
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Phil’s 5 Favourite Pico Accessories
by Phil Rutt
Written tutorial
Testing times - preparing for the end of lockdown
by Barney Donohew
Barney has written a short article about how to prepare for an increase in faults related to vehicles sitting idle for longer periods of time, now that we are starting to see more and more countries and areas return towards normal after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Written tutorial
Probe Mismatch in PicoScope 7
by Steve Smith
Steve talks us through the new Probe Mismatch feature in PicoScope 7, explaining why how it works and why it is useful.
Written tutorial
The importance of the right tools and training
by Steve Smith
Steve has written about the future of technicians and the need for the profession to evolve alongside the new technologies. There will always be a need for technicians in the ongoing work to maintain and diagnose the vehicles of the past, present, and future, but using the right tools and training has never been more important.
Written tutorial
The new PicoScope Automotive App
by Jon Parker
Having spent more than twenty years improving the PicoScope product, including extensive guidance and information for technicians, Pico Technology has released an app for Android and iPhone. With this app, every technician can learn about oscilloscopes, what they do, how to use them, and how they can benefit them and their businesses.
Written tutorial
Online training - Intermediate users
Using PicoScope’s filtering functions
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Pressure School Part 1 Introduction to the Pressure Transducer
by Pico
Written tutorial
ConnectDetect®
by Steve Smith
After completing a presentation at Autoinform Harrogate and a conversation with Pete Melville (HEVRA), I wanted to qualify the suggestion of using PicoScope ConnectDetect® to determine the cause of specific sensor faults.
Written tutorial
SENT sensor decoding with PicoScope
by Ben Martins
Working at Pico, I have the opportunity to look closer at some of the latest sensor technology that is out there on modern vehicles. While this particular sensor has been out there for a while now, SENT is cropping up in more and more vehicles. The help desk, the Automotive Forum, and our FaceBook group have all seen an increase in questions and discussions around the best way to work with these sensors. This has prompted me to look into how PicoScope can be used to get as much information as possible from these sensors.
Written tutorial
CAN decoding on BMW pump test
by Steve Smith
After following a second forum post regarding the BMW F31 N47 low-pressure Fuel Pump Controller and CAN ID 3 35, it became impossible to ignore the temptation to dig a little deeper into the data field (payload) associated with this ID.
Written tutorial
Data over Pulse Width Modulation?
by Steve Smith
Steve has investigated the possibility of “data” being transmitted along on a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal wire when fault conditions occur.
Written tutorial
Resolvers unwrapped
by Ben Martins
When it comes to electric vehicles, people often get caught up in the high-voltage system. However, the fact is that the vehicle can’t operate at all without the various inputs and outputs from the low-voltage system. One such input is from the resolver sensor.
Written tutorial
J1939 decoder
by Ben Martins
Thanks to the software team at Pico, the improvements to PicoScope 7 Automotive continue. I want to share a new feature that was included in build 7.0.73.8350, a serial decoder made specifically for the CAN protocol J1939. As PicoScope 7 Automotive's other serial decoding tools, the CAN J1939 serial decoder converts CAN bus voltages to a readable form (typically hexadecimal, but binary, decimal, or ASCII formats are also possible). The J1939 decoder is, however, built for decoding J1939 CAN protocol messages and specifically the ID.
Written tutorial
Decoding J1708/J1587 with PicoScope
by Ben Martins
As we all know, networks on all types of machinery have been around for a lot longer than we give it credit for. From the early beginnings of slow data exchanges between two or three ECUs to today systems with 30+ ECUs covering everything from LIN to Ethernet. This combination of different networks is not uncommon, including combining old and new formats with varying different speeds and can be seen with many modern HGVs and construction and agricultural equipment where you will often find a combination of OEM specific CAN, J1939 and its predecessor J1587. 
Written tutorial
LIN bus decoder and LIN controlled alternators
by Ben Martins
LIN, Local Interconnect Network. It seems to be everywhere! HVAC, door locks, heated seats, mirrors, battery monitoring and charging systems. It tends to crop up on non-safety critical communications where speed isn’t a priority. As with the other network forum posts we have to remember that PicoScope is not a dedicated data logger. There are devices better suited for this job out there on the market but when it’s all you have, there is a lot we can still do.
Written tutorial
Permanent magnet synchronous motor/generator operation
by S Smith
Research into the operation of a 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor/generator (MG), that had been fitted to a VW E-Golf, raised several questions surrounding the typical operation and circuit characteristics. I would like to share and discuss these questions and findings here.
Written tutorial
Encoders and Quadrature decoder
by Ben Martins
In this training session, we take a look at the role of Quadrature encoding in automotive, and offer a brief tutorial on using this new decoder.
Written tutorial
Bosch Denoxtronic 2.2
by Ben Martins
This training article follows on from a previous case study on a Komatsu PC210 LC with an AdBlue Fault;
Written tutorial
K-Line Serial Decoding Support
by Ben Martins
This training article has been generated from the following forum post: https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=101250#p101250
Written tutorial
Online training - Advanced users
Scope School Part 3 - Tips and tricks
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Scope School Extra: Bonus Class
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Inlet metering valve (IMV) duty cycle with math channel
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Voltage drop techniques: Introducing floating inputs
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Audi A8 Fusebox diagnostics
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Parasitic drain
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Testing the Bosch LSU 4.2 broadband oxygen sensor
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Electronic Throttle Control (Drive By Wire)
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Using PicoScope’s filtering functions
by Steve Smith - Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Pressure School Part 1 Introduction to the Pressure Transducer
by Pico
Written tutorial
Pressure School Part 2 – A running diagnosis
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Individual cylinder valve timing errors
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Back-leakage testing (spill testing)
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Hydraulic waveform examples and analysis
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 1
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. The series covers why the math channels in PicoScope are so useful and how to use them for applications like calculating resistance, power, rpm, torque, voltage drop, etc.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - Part 2
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into using Ohm's law to obtain current by dividing voltage by resistance.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - Part 3
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into how to graph road speed via the ABS speed sensor signal.
Written tutorial
Practical Pico: CAN bus diagnostics and serial decoding Q&A
by S Smith
Many thanks to all who viewed and contributed to the Practical Pico: CAN bus diagnostics and serial decoding Q&A live stream at the end of March. A number of questions were raised during the live stream that we could not answer clearly during the event, and so I wanted to cover them in the following article.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool – part 4
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into how to determine RPM using an ignition trigger signal from Coil-on-Plug unit number 1.
Written tutorial
Belt tension
by Barney Donohew
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 5
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into the invert math channel in PicoScope.
Written tutorial
Practical Pico - Non-invasive engine testing Q&A follow-up
by S Smith
Many thanks once again to those who could attend this Practical Pico session and for the questions raised on the night. In this article, I will go through the outstanding questions and hopefully clarify any outstanding queries.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 6
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into the maths involved when dealing with compensation when measuring the peak cylinder pressure captured with the WPS500X and PicoScope.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - Part 7
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into ignition theory.
Written tutorial
Practical Pico: Non-invasive engine testing Q&A – part 2
by S Smith
We still have more unanswered questions from this session, and Steve is working hard to provide the answers for them. Here is the second part of his follow-up.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 8
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into a case study where they experienced a fluctuation in dwell angle during the transition from idle to higher speeds.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 9
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into calculating the theoretical MAF.
Written tutorial
BMW Valvetronic evaluation
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 10
by Ben Martins
The Maths is cool series continues. This time Ben Martins has contributed with some maths for hydraulic testing.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 11
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into RMS values of AC signals.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 12
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into the benefits of 48 V MHEV in comparison to 12 V systems.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 13
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into relevant formulas to calculate airflow where turbochargers are installed.
Written tutorial
Noise cancellation with Audacity
by Steve Smith
Following on from Ben’s excellent forum post about listening to .psdata files, I want to share the noise-cancelling feature in another audio software suite called Audacity
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 14
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he is looking into how to display the effective voltage applied to a component when it is being controlled by a negative PWM.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 15
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he has looked into measuring resistance with PicoScope 4425.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 16
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he has looked into the operation and diagnosis of an electronically Commutated (EC) fuel pump.
Written tutorial
Maths is cool - part 17
by Steve Smith
In this educational series, Steve Smith shares his knowledge about using math channels in PicoScope. In this part, he has looked into DPF back-pressure and a Toyota formula used for checking DPF breathing efficiency.
Written tutorial
The Martins Method
by Ben Martins
You might all be intrigued by the subject of this article. The reason behind it is that I wanted to share a technique that I discovered while spending a lot of time researching better ways to diagnose 3-phase motors. I found that there is a very simple way to do this, and after sharing it with the team here at Pico, Steve Smith kindly named it the Martins Method after yours truly. So, let's get started.
Written tutorial
Online training - Technical information
The alternator
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Turbochargers
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Bosch LSU 4.2 broadband oxygen sensor
by Pico Technology
Written tutorial
Cam and crank correlation
by Steve Smith
Written tutorial
Pico Automotive Diagnostic Training: Secondary ignition
by Pico
Written tutorial
K-Line Serial Decoding Support
by Ben Martins
This training article has been generated from the following forum post: https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=101250#p101250
Written tutorial