I am having problems with an old (H reg) Vauxhall Cavalier. Basically it won't start - there is no spark. These have a fairly basic electronic ignition system which consists of a hall-effect unit in the distributor, an electronics control module, a darlington power transistor amplifier and a coil. What I need to check first of all is if there is any output from the hall-effect unit, but I have no means of doing this. Anyone got any ideas about signal levels coming out of this, etc, or any other ideas about checks I can make without much in the way of test equipment?
Hall-effect vehicle ignition system
Jan 09, 2006
4 Replies
I have a hall effect pickup on my truck's speedometer. It is three wire. Has +5 volts to one terminal, ground on the other and the middle wire varies from +5 to ground as the rear wheels turn. It is on the differential. Identical device on the drive shaft (anti-skid input?)
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+
Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
an
the
checks
Yes this is three wire too, but with a 12 volt supply - I think they usually have a voltage regulator, so that the supply voltage can be anything from about +3 volts to +24 volts. If the output is roughly a square wave from 0 to +5 volts I should be able make a simple tester for it quite easily.
Many thanks.
Nice thing about it is you can slowly turn the engine and watch it turn on and off with a meter or use a magnet . . .
No reason it can't be a 12 volt switch. My truck is old and the speed sensor just goes into the "computer" which probably has a 5V regulator built in.
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+
Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
usually
0That's an excellent idea. I don't need any kind of a tester - I can just take out the spark plugs, and then use your method of turning the engine over slowly and measuring the output with a meter. Cheers.
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required