Poseyville Professional Complex
784 S Poseyville Road
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: 866-832-8898
Fax: 989-832-8908
Sales Personnel Available 9am to 5pm EDT
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of lab scope do I need to
use the FirstLook™ sensor?
2. What information can the FirstLook™ sensor
give me?
3. Why is the information the FirstLook™ sensor
gives important to diagnostics?
4. How is the FirstLook™ sensor
different from conventional electronic pressure sensors?
1. What type of lab scope do I need to use the FirstLook™ sensor?
Most modern dual-trace lab scopes will work with this sensor. The lab scope needs to have triggering ability and cursors for pattern measurement. The triggering allows you to get cylinder specific information as it relates to a specific event in the engine i.e.( firing of the number one spark plug). The cursors allow you to dissect the pattern and find which cylinder has the problem.
2. What information can the FirstLook™ sensor give me?
Basically, the sensor, because of its live unaltered signal, can look at valve operation, cylinder efficiency, fuel injector operation, and overall engine operation.
3. Why is the information the FirstLook™ sensor gives important to diagnostics?
All the information gathered by the FirstLook™ sensor is the same information the vehicle computer looks at to make changes in the performance of the engine. If the base engine functions are not in proper order, the computer in the vehicle can give erroneous information and false diagnostic trouble codes which can result in wasted time and money. (Have we ever purchased a part that the vehicle did not need but a diagnostic chart led you in that direction?) In short, if the base engine functions are not in proper working order all information given by the computer is tainted.
How to set up a Scope for the FirstLook™ diagnostic sensor:
A. Cold Crank Test or Dynamic Compression Test.
- Set scope for 1 second sweep total screen.
- Set voltage range to AC and 1 volts plus and minus to start with.
- Insert sensor into tailpipe and connect to diagnostic scope input channel.
- Disable fuel or ignition so engine can be cranked but not started.
- Crank engine over and observe waveform on scope.
- Adjust voltage levels for maximum display on scope screen.
A good engine will always have a stable and repeatable series of waveforms. The waveform below is typical of an engine with reasonably good compression and valves.
