Oscilloscopes for automotive use

[alexGS]

Hi,
Just thought I'd mention this here, as I thought it might get rather lost where it is at the moment (in the 'Other FIATs' forum)...

https://www.fiatforum.com/showpost.php?p=912807&postcount=8

It's not really FIAT-related but it doesn't seem right for the 'Leisure Lounge' either. Anyway, I'd be interested (and I think Steve would too) in any input your guys may have on using oscilloscopes (and what features you need)...

...and of course if you feel like specifically helping with the Croma's speedometer sensor diagnosis, that's fine too

Cheers,
-Alex

 

[jug]

an oscilloscope is THE most useful tool for diagnosing problems. its the only way to find out so many useful things, there's no substitute.

EDIT: been trying to find a link to the one i use but i cant find it. i only use a basic handheld scope that i was given by my dad, but i've never felt the need for anything better. maybe i'm missing out on loads of extra options, but i dont need them.

 

[Renegade_8]

I just read the old post, the sample rates mean that the unit actaully samples at 2 million samples per second. Due to a thing called Nyquist's theorum this means that it can just catch and display 1 megaherzt sine wave. The repetitive thing is an engineering trick to get round the maths. You kep sampling at the same speed, but slip it back in time by 1/20 th of the period, so eventualy you get another 20 samples and build up a better view if the signal is repetative, however if it's a one shot the you get one look and it's gone baby!

 

[SteveNZ]

I agree with Jug. Fault codes and scan tools have huge limitations. Unless you really know how they work they can be useless.

I trained on an ATS 5000. 2 channel 50Mhz. I dont have enough money to buy one though.

http://aecs.net/products/ATS folder page 1a.php