engine FORD FESTIVA 1991 Service Manual

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Engine Perform ance Safety Precautions
Always refer to Emission Decal in engine compartment before servicing vehicle. If manual and decal differ, always use decal
specifications.
Do not allow or create a condition of misfire in more than one cylinder for an extended period of time. Damage to converter may occur
due to loading converter with unburned air/fuel mixture.
Always turn ignition off and disconnect negative battery cable BEFORE disconnecting or connecting computer or other electrical
components.
DO NOT drop or shock electrical components such as computer, airflow meter, etc.
DO NOT use fuel system cleaning compounds that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Damage to gaskets, diaphragm materials
and catalytic converter may result.
Before performing a compression test or cranking engine using a remote starter switch, disconnect coil wire from distributor and secure it
to a good engine ground, or disable ignition.
Before disconnecting any fuel system component, ensure fuel system pressure is released.
Use a shop towel to absorb any spilled fuel to prevent fire.
DO NOT create sparks or have an open flame near battery.
If any fuel system components such as hoses or clamps are replaced, ensure they are replaced with components designed for fuel system
use.
Always reassemble throttle body components with new gaskets, "O" rings and seals.
If equipped with an inertia switch, DO NOT reset switch until fuel system has been inspected for leaks.
We a r sa fe t y go ggl e s wh e n d r il l in g o r gr in d in g.
Wear proper clothing which protects against chemicals and other hazards.
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00002342
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GENERAL INFORMATION
How To Use The Engine Perform ance Section - 1989 & Newer Models
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
HOW TO USE THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE SECTION
Congratulations, you have purchased the most advanced automotive repair and service information available. This information can help you, as
a professional automotive technician, to maintain top vehicle performance, and correct driveability problems on today's high-tech vehicles.
For your convenience and ease in use, all of our engine performance service and repair information is consistently organized by manufacturer,
using a progressive diagnostic/workflow approach. Due to the differences in how each manufacturer approaches diagnosis and repair, once
started and inside of an article, that manufacturer may drive the workflow in a direction other than what is outlined here.
The progressive diagnostic/workflow of our data is as follows:
APPLICATION to identify vehicle and system usage.
EMISSION APPLICATION to identify emission system usage.
SPECIFICATIONS to quickly find an engine performance service specification.
ADJUSTMENTS to perform engine performance related routine adjustments.
THEORY & OPERATION to familiarize yourself with new systems and technologies.
BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES located under TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS, also referred to as BASIC TESTING, is used for
performing a basic vehicle inspection and is also the starting point for diagnosis of a "no-start" condition.
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS located under TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS, also referred to as TESTS W/CODES, is where manufacturer
specific procedures for retrieving, identifying and diagnosing DTCs (trouble codes) retained in a control modules memory are located.
TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES located under TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS, also referred to as TESTS W/O CODES, is where
an engine performance problem that does not set a DTC can be potentially isolated through either a SYMPTOM or INTERMITTENTS
duplication procedure.
SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING located under TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS, also referred to as SYSTEM/COMPONENT
TESTS, once directed to this article, specific system and component tests can be performed to help isolate faulty component/system
prior to replacement.
PIN VOLTAGE CHARTS provide supplemental information to help determine correct control module input and output signals. Pin
charts may also be referred to as PID charts by some manufacturers.
SENSOR RANGE CHARTS help determine if a sensor is out of calibration. In some cases an out-of-calibration sensor will not set a
DTC (trouble code), resulting in difficult to diagnose driveability symptoms.
VACUUM DIAGRAMS help determine correct routing of vacuum hoses when reinstalling components or performing emission
inspections.
REMOVE, OVERHAUL & INSTALL provides procedures necessary for removing and installing engine performance related
components.
WIRING DIAGRAMS can be used to identify circuits, terminals, wire colors and components referenced in testing procedures. NEW
COLOR WIRING DIAGRAMS (system diagrams) provide an easy method of identifying and tracing circuits.
APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION/ENGINE/VIN ID
Here you will find out how to identify an engine by its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The manufacturer's MODEL COVERAGE chart
lists each model and engine option, the fuel system, ignition system and engine code. Engine serial number locations are also shown here, as
well as the VIN code breakdown. Using model lookup in conjunction with VIN and engine ID will identify application information necessary
for servicing vehicle and ordering parts.
EMISSION APPLICATIONS
EMISSION APPLICATION TABLES
Here you will find a chart listing what emission control devices apply to each model. This can be helpful when performing government-
required emissions inspections. For quick reference, major emission systems and devices are listed in bold type in the emission table. Sub
components are listed in light type.
SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
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SERVICE & ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS
If you want a specification quickly, this is the place to look. Instead of hunting through a long article, we've separated out the important
specifications and arranged them into easy-to-use tables in a centralized location. You can find valuable information like spark plug wire
resistance, valve clearance, timing, firing orders, etc.
ADJUSTMENT
ON-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS
The ON-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS article contains the type of information that was previously thought of as TUNE-UP information.
Procedures for checking and adjusting valves, base ignition timing and idle speed are found in this section. Use this section in conjunction with
SERVICE & ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS for performing routine maintenance. Also, if you have a driveability problem, ensure all on-
vehicle adjustments are within specification before attempting further diagnosis.
THEORY & OPERATION
This article covers basic THEORY & OPERATION of engine performance-related systems and components. Before diagnosing vehicles or new
systems with which you are not completely familiar, read this article.
TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS
BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES/BASIC TESTING
The procedures listed in this article can help you avoid skipping a simple step early, like checking base timing, which could be costly in both
time and money later. This is also a potential starting point for diagnosis of a "no-start" condition. If all systems check out okay here, proceed
to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS/TESTS W/CODES or TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES/TESTS W/O CODES article.
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS/TESTS W/CODES
Use this information to retrieve and interpret Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) accessed from the vehicle's self-diagnostic system. Once
information is retrieved, manufacturer diagnostic procedures are given to help pinpoint and repair computer system/component faults. Also
included are steps for clearing trouble codes once these faults are repaired. If there is a driveability symptom with no trouble codes set,
proceed to TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES/TESTS W/O CODES article.
TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES/TESTS W/O CODES
This is where to go when you have a problem that does not set a trouble code. It can help determine cause of problem using driveability
symptoms and intermittent testing procedures. Procedures in this information should lead you to a specific component or system test.
SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING
Here you will find various tests for engine performance systems and their components, such as air induction (turbochargers and superchargers),
fuel control, ignition control and emission systems.
PIN VOLTAGE CHARTS
These are supplied (when available from manufacturer) to quicken the diagnostic process. By checking pin voltages at the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM), you can determine if the PCM is receiving and/or transmitting proper voltage signals. Pin charts may also be referred to as PID
charts by some manufacturers.
SENSOR RANGE CHARTS
SENSOR OPERATING RANGE CHARTS
These are supplied (when available from manufacturer) to determine if a sensor is out of calibration. An out-of-calibration sensor may not set a
trouble code, but it may cause driveability problems.
VACUUM DIAGRAMS
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
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Here we give you underhood views or schematics of vacuum-hose routing which can help you find incorrectly routed hoses. Remember, a
vacuum leak or incorrectly routed vacuum hose on computer-controlled vehicle can cause many driveability problems.
REMOVAL, OVERHAUL & INSTALLATION
After you've diagnosed the problem, this is where to go for the nuts-and-bolts of the job. Here you'll find procedures and specifications for
removing, overhauling (if available) and installing components.
WIRING DIAGRAMS - ENGINE PERFORMANCE
2002 & EARLIER
On 2002 and earlier models, once ENGINE PERFORMANCE is selected as the service category, the expanded menu will display a WIRING
DIAGRAMS - ENGINE PERFORMANCE heading. Once the wiring diagrams article is selected, select the engine performance wiring
diagrams for your lookup model.
2003 & LATER
On models newer than 2002, we have moved all wiring diagrams under a centralized first level model-specific lookup titled WIRING
DIAGRAMS-ALL. When selected, SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article will display in the center panel. This article contains all available
wiring diagrams related to the selected vehicle. These same wiring diagrams can also be found under the ELECTRICAL/WIRING DIAGRAMS
heading. NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:T his article is generic in nature and all inform ation does not apply to all vehicles. For vehicle specific
inform ation, see the appropriate articles in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE category.
NOTE:System Wiring diagram s for have been enhanced to include COLORS. T his will enable you to m ore
easily trace a circuit from its source to its destination, without losing your circuit due to parallel or
intersecting lines. Using these diagram s, you can easily identify and trace com ponent circuits, to help
locate shorts and opens in circuits. T hese diagram s can also help you understand how individual
circuits function within a system .
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00002340
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Parasitic Load Explanation & T est Procedures
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
GENERAL INFORMATION
The term Parasitic Load refers to electrical devices that continue to use or draw current after the ignition switch is turned to OFF position. This
small amount of continuous battery draw is expressed in milliamps (mA). On Chrysler vehicles, a typical Parasitic Load should be no more
than 30 milliamps (0.030 amps). On Ford Motor Co. and General Motors vehicles produced after 1980, a typical Parasitic Load should be no
more than 50 milliamps (0.050 amps).
Vehicles produced since 1980 have memory devices that draw current with ignition off for as long as 20 minutes before shutting down the
Parasitic Drain. When Parasitic Load exceeds normal specifications, the vehicle may exhibit dead battery and no-start condition.
Follow test procedure for checking Parasitic Loads to completion. A brief overview of a suggested test procedure is included along with some
typical Parasitic Load specifications. Refer to GENERAL MOTORS PARASITIC LOAD TABLE chart.
TESTING FOR PARASITIC LOAD
The battery circuit must be opened to connect test switch (shunt) and ammeter into the circuit. When a battery cable is removed, timer circuits
within the vehicle computer are interrupted and immediately begin to discharge. If in doubt about the condition of the ammeter fuse, test it
with an ohmmeter prior to beginning test. An open fuse will show the same reading (00.00) as no parasitic drain. Begin test sequence with the
meter installed and on the 10-amp scale. Select lower scale to read parasitic draw.
CHRYSLER IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD) TEST
To test for excessive IOD, verify that all electrical accessories are OFF. Turn off all lights, remove ignition key, and close all doors and decklid.
If the vehicle is equipped with electronic accessories (illuminated entry, automatic load leveler, body computer, or high line radio), allow the
system to automatically shut off (time out), up to 3 minutes.
1. Raise the hood and disconnect both battery cables, negative first.
2. Reconnect the negative cable and connect a typical 12-volt test light (low wattage bulb) between the positive cable clamp and the
positive battery post. Remove the engine compartment lamp bulb. If the test light does not light, proceed to step 3
. If the test light does
light, proceed to step, 4
. The test light will indicate IOD greater than 3 amps. After higher amperage IOD has been corrected, proceed to
step 3
.
3. ith 12-volt test light still connected (not lit), connect an ammeter (milliampere scale) between the positive cable clamp and the positive
battery post, disconnect test light, refer to instructions provided with ammeter being used. A reading of 30 milliamperes or less indicates
normal electrical draw. If ammeter reads more than 30 milliamperes, excessive IOD must be corrected.
4. Locate the fuse panel and remove fuses or circuit breakers one at a time, and observe ammeter after each fuse or circuit breaker is
removed. If test light goes out and the reading drops below 30 milliamperes when a certain fuse or circuit breaker is removed, that circuit
may have a defect.
5. If IOD is detected after all fuses and circuit breakers have been removed, disconnect the 60-way connector at the Single Module Engine
Control (SMEC), located outboard of the battery.
6. If excessive IOD is detected after all fused circuits and SMEC have been verified, disconnect the B+ terminal from the alternat o r. If
reading drops below 30 milliamperes, reinstall all fuses and circuit breakers, reconnect B+ terminal at alternator, reconnect battery, and
perform alternator diagnostics.
7. Install engine compartment lamp bulb.
TEST PROCEDURE USING TEST SWITCH
1. Turn ignition off. Remove negative battery terminal cable. Install Disconnect Tool (J-38758) test switch male end to negative battery
cable. Turn test switch knob to OFF position (current through meter). Install negative battery cable to the female end of test switch. NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
CAUT ION: Always turn ignition off when connecting or disconnecting battery cables, battery chargers or jum per
cables. DO NOT turn test switch to OFF position (which causes current to run through am m eter or
vehicle electrical system ).
NOTE:Mem ory functions of various accessories m ust be reset after the battery is reconnected.
CAUT ION: IOD greater than 3 am ps m ay dam age m illam pm eter.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Waveform s - Injector Pattern T utorial
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE
Learning how to interpret injector drive patterns from a Lab Scope can be like learning ignition patterns all over again. This article exists to
ease you into becoming a skilled injector pattern interpreter.
You will learn:
How a DVOM and noid light fall short of a lab scope.
The two types of injector driver circuits, voltage controlled & current controlled.
The two ways injector circuits can be wired, constant ground/switched power & constant power/switched ground.
The two different pattern types you can use to diagnose with, voltage & current.
All the valuable details injector patterns can reveal.
SCOPE OF THIS ARTICLE
This is NOT a manufacturer specific article. All different types of systems are covered here, regardless of the specific year/make/model/engine.
The reason for such broad coverage is because there are only a few basic ways to operate a solenoid-type injector. By understanding the
fundamental principles, you will understand all the major points of injector patterns you encounter. Of course there are minor differences in
each specific system, but that is where a waveform library helps out.
If this is confusing, consider a secondary ignition pattern. Even though there are many different implementations, each still has a primary
voltage turn-on, firing line, spark line, etc.
If specific waveforms are available in On Demand for the engine and vehicle you are working on, you will find them in the Engine Performance
section under the Engine Performance category.
IS A LAB SCOPE NECESSARY?
INTRODUCTION
You probably have several tools at your disposal to diagnose injector circuits. But you might have questioned "Is a lab scope necessary to do a
thorough job, or will a set of noid lights and a multifunction DVOM do just as well?"
In the following text, we are going to look at what noid lights and DVOMs do best, do not do very well, and when they can mislead you. As
you might suspect, the lab scope, with its ability to look inside an active circuit, comes to the rescue by answering for the deficiencies of these
other tools.
OVERVIEW OF NOID LIGHT
The noid light is an excellent "quick and dirty" tool. It can usually be hooked to a fuel injector harness fast and the flashing l igh t is e a sy t o
understand. It is a dependable way to identify a no-pulse situation.
However, a noid light can be very deceptive in two cases:
If the wrong one is used for the circuit being tested. Beware: Just because a connector on a noid light fits the harness does not mean it is
the right one.
If an injector driver is weak or a minor voltage drop is present.
Use the Right Noid Light
In the following text we will look at what can happen if the wrong noid light is used, why there are different types of noid lights (besides
differences with connectors), how to identify the types of noid lights, and how to know the right type to use.
First, let's discuss what can happen if the incorrect type of noid light is used. You might see:
A dimly flashing light when it should be normal.
A normal flashing light when it should be dim.
A noid light will flash dim if used on a lower voltage circuit than it was designed for. A normally operating circuit would appear
underpowered, which could be misinterpreted as the cause of a fuel starvation problem.
Here are the two circuit types that could cause this problem: NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
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Since DVOMs update their display roughly two to five times a second, all measurements in between are averaged. Because a potential voltage
drop is visible for such a small amount of time, it ge t s "a ve r a ge d o u t ", c a u sin g yo u t o miss it .
Only a DVOM that has a "min-max" function that checks EVERY MILLISECOND will catch this fault consistently (if used in that mode). The
Fluke 87 among others has this capability.
A "min-max" DVOM with a lower frequency of checking (100 millisecond) can miss the fault because it will probably check when the injector
is not on. This is especially true with current controlled driver circuits. The Fluke 88, among others fall into this category.
Outside of using a Fluke 87 (or equivalent) in the 1 mS "min-max" mode, the only way to catch a voltage drop fault is with a lab scope. You
will be able to see a voltage drop as it happens.
One final note. It is important to be aware that an injector circuit with a solenoid resistor will always show a voltage drop when the circuit is
energized. This is somewhat obvious and normal; it is a designed-in voltage drop. What can be unexpected is what we already covered--a
voltage drop disappears when the circuit is unloaded. The unloaded injector circuit will show normal battery voltage at the injector.
Remember this and do not get confused.
Checking Injector On-Time With Built-In Function
Several DVOMs have a feature that allows them to measure injector on-time (mS pulse width). While they are accurate and fast to hookup,
they have three limitations you should be aware of:
They only work on voltage controlled injector drivers (e.g "Saturated Switch"), NOT on current controlled injector drivers (e.g. "Peak &
Hold").
A few unusual conditions can cause inaccurate readings.
Varying engine speeds can result in inaccurate readings.
Regarding the first limitation, DVOMs need a well-defined injector pulse in order to determine when the injector turns ON and OFF. Voltage
controlled drivers provide this because of their simple switch-like operation. They completely close the circuit for the entire duration of the
pulse. This is easy for the DVOM to interpret.
The other type of driver, the current controlled type, start off well by completely closing the circuit (until the injector pintle opens), but then
they throttle back the voltage/current for the duration of the pulse. The DVOM understands the beginning of the pulse but it cannot figure out
the throttling action. In other words, it cannot distinguish the throttling from an open circuit (de-energized) condition.
Yet current controlled injectors will still yield a millisecond on-time reading on these DVOMs. You will find it is also always the same,
regardless of the operating conditions. This is because it is only measuring the initial completely-closed circuit on-time, which always takes the
same amount of time (to lift the injector pintle off its seat). So even though you get a reading, it is useless.
The second limitation is that a few erratic conditions can cause inaccurate readings. This is because of a DVOM's slow display rate; roughly
two to five times a second. As we covered earlier, measurements in between display updates get averaged. So conditions like skipped injector
pulses or intermittent long/short injector pulses tend to get "averaged out", which will cause you to miss important details.
The last limitation is that varying engine speeds can result in inaccurate readings. This is caused by the quickly shifting injector on-time as the
engine load varies, or the RPM moves from a state of acceleration to stabilization, or similar situations. It too is caused by the averaging of all
measurements in between DVOM display periods. You can avoid this by checking on-time when there are no RPM or load changes.
A lab scope allows you to overcome each one of these limitations.
Checking Injector On-Time With Dwell Or Duty
If no tool is available to directly measure injector millisecond on-time measurement, some techs use a simple DVOM dwell or duty cycle
functions as a replacement.
While this is an approach of last resort, it does provide benefits. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses in a moment, but first we will
look at how a duty cycle meter and dwell meter work.
How A Duty Cycle Meter and Dwell Meter Work
All readings are obtained by comparing how long something has been OFF to how long it has been ON in a fixed time period. A dwell meter
and duty cycle meter actually come up with the same answers using different scales. You can convert freely between them. See
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DWELL & DUTY CYCLE READINGS TABLE
.
The DVOM display updates roughly one time a second, although some DVOMs can be a little faster or slower. All measurements during this
update period are tallied inside the DVOM as ON time or OFF time, and then the total ratio is displayed as either a percentage (duty cycle) or
degrees (dwell meter).
For example, let's say a DVOM had an update rate of exactly 1 second (1000 milliseconds). Let's also say that it has been measuring/tallying
an injector circuit that had been ON a total of 250 mS out of the 1000 mS. That is a ratio of one-quarter, which would be displayed as 25%
duty cycle or 15° dwell (six-cylinder scale). Note that most duty cycle meters can reverse the readings by selecting the positive o r n e ga t ive
slope to trigger on. If this reading were reversed, a duty cycle meter would display 75%.
Strengths of Dwell/Duty Meter
The obvious strength of a dwell/duty meter is that you can compare injector on-time against a known-good reading. This is the only practical
way to use a dwell/duty meter, but requires you to have known-good values to compare against.
Another strength is that you can roughly convert injector mS on-time into dwell reading with some computations.
A final strength is that because the meter averages everything together it does not miss anything (though this is also a severe weakness that we
will look at later). If an injector has a fault where it occasionally skips a pulse, the meter registers it and the reading changes accordingly.
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Let's go back to figuring out dwell/duty readings by using injector on-time specification. This is not generally practical, but we will cover it for
completeness. You NEED to know three things:
Injector mS on-time specification.
Engine RPM when specification is valid.
How many times the injectors fire per crankshaft revolution.
The first two are self-explanatory. The last one may require some research into whether it is a bank-fire type that injects every 360° of
crankshaft rotation, a bank-fire that injects every 720°, or an SFI that injects every 720°. Many manufacturers do not release this data so you
may have to figure it out yourself with a frequency meter.
Here are the four complete steps to convert millisecond on-time:
1. Determine the injector pulse width and RPM it was obtained at. Let's say the specification is for one millisecond of on-time at a hot idle
of 600 RPM.
2. Determine injector firing method for the complete 4 stroke cycle. Let's say this is a 360° bank-fired, meaning an injector fires each and
every crankshaft revolution.
3. Determine how many times the injector will fire at the specified engine speed (600 RPM) in a fixed time period. We will use 100
milliseconds because it is easy to use. Six hundred crankshaft Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) divided by 60 seconds equals 10
revolutions per second. Multiplying 10 times .100 yields one; the crankshaft turns one time in 100 milliseconds. With exactly one
crankshaft rotation in 100 milliseconds, we know that the injector fires exactly one time.
4. Determine the ratio of injector on-time vs. off-time in the fixed time period, then figure duty cycle and/or dwell. The injector fires one
time for a total of one millisecond in any given 100 millisecond period. One hundred minus one equals 99. We have a 99% duty cycle.
If we wanted to know the dwell (on 6 cylinder scale), multiple 99% times .6; this equals 59.4° dwell.
Weaknesses of Dwell/Duty Meter
The weaknesses are significant. First, there is no one-to-one correspondence to actual mS on-time. No manufacturer releases dwell/duty data,
and it is time-consuming to convert the mS on-time readings. Besides, there can be a large degree of error because the conversion forces you to
assume that the injector(s) are always firing at the same rate for the same period of time. This can be a dangerous assumption.
Second, all level of detail is lost in the averaging process. This is the primary weakness. You cannot see the details you need to make a
confident diagnosis.
Here is one example. Imagine a vehicle that has a faulty injector driver that occasionally skips an injector pulse. Every skipped pulse means
that that cylinder does not fire, thus unburned O2 gets pushed into the exhaust and passes the O2 sensor. The O2 sensor indicates lean, so the
computer fattens up the mixture to compensate for the supposed "lean" condition.
A connected dwell/duty meter would see the fattened pulse width but would also see the skipped pulses. It would tally both and likely come
back with a reading that indicated the "pulse width" was within specification because the rich mixture and missing pulses offset each other.
This situation is not a far-fetched scenario. Some early GM 3800 engines were suffering from exactly this. The point is that a lack of detail
could cause misdiagnosis.
As yo u migh t h a ve gu e sse d , a lab scope would not miss this.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DWELL & DUTY CYCLE READINGS
THE TWO TYPES OF INJECTOR DRIVERS
OVERVIEW
There are two types of transistor driver circuits used to operate electric fuel injectors: voltage controlled and current controlled. The voltage
controlled type is sometimes called a "saturated switch" driver, while the current controlled type is sometimes known as a "peak and hold"
driver.
The basic difference between the two is the total resistance of the injector circuit. Roughly speaking, if a particular leg in an injector circuit has
total resistance of 12 or more ohms, a voltage control driver is used. If less than 12 ohms, a current control driver is used.
It is a question of what is going to do the job of limiting the current flow in the injector circuit; the inherent "high" resistance in the injector
circuit, or the transistor driver. Without some form of control, the current flow through the injector would cause the solenoid coil to overheat
and result in a damaged injector.
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CIRCUIT ("SATURATED SWITCH")
Dwell Meter (2)Duty Cycle Meter
1°1%
15°25%
30°50%
45°75%
60°100%
(1)These are just some examples for your understanding. It is okay to fill in the gaps.
(2)Dwell meter on the six-cylinder scale.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
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number of windings, the more potential for a greater inductive kick. The opposite is also true. The less current flow or fewer windings means
less inductive kick. Typically you should see a minimum 35 volts.
If you see approximately 35 volts, it is because a zener diode is used with the driver to clamp the voltage. Make sure the beginning top of the
spike is squared off, indicating the zener dumped the remainder of the spike. If it is not squared, that indicates the spike is not strong enough to
make the zener fully dump, meaning there is a problem with a weak injector winding.
If a zener diode is not used in the computer, the spike from a good injector will be 60 or more volts.
At Point "E", notice that the trace is now just a few volts below system voltage and the injector is in the current limiting, or the "Hold" part of
the pattern. This line will either remain flat and stable as shown here, or will cycle up and down rapidly. Both are normal methods to limit
current flow. Any distortion may indicate shorted windings.
Point "F" is the actual turn-off point of the driver (and injector). To measure the millisecond on-time of the injector, measure between points
"C" an d "F". No t e t h at we u sed cu rso rs t o d o it for us; they are measuring a 2.56 mS on-time.
The top of Point "F" (second inductive kick) is created by the collapsing magnetic field caused by the final turn-off of the driver. This spike
should be like the spike on top of point "D".
Point "G" shows a slight hump. This is actually the mechanical injector pintle closing. Recall that moving an iron core through a magnetic field
will create a voltage surge. The pintle is the iron core here.
This pintle hump at Point "E" should occur near the end of the downward slope, and not afterwards. If it does occur after the slope has ended
and the voltage has stabilized, it is because the pintle is slightly sticking. Some older Nissan TBI systems suffered from this.
If you see more than one hump it is because of a distorted pintle or seat. This faulty condition is known as "pintle float".
It is important to realize that it takes a good digital storage oscilloscope or analog lab scope to see this pintle hump clearly. Unfortunately, it
cannot always be seen.

Fig. 3: Identifying Current Controlled Type Injector Pattern

CURRENT WAVEFORM SAMPLES
EXAMPLE #1 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DRIVER
The waveform pattern shown in Fig. Fig. 4
indicate a normal current waveform from a Ford 3.0L V6 VIN [U] engine. This voltage controlled
type circuit pulses the injectors in groups of three injectors. Injectors No. 1, 3, and 5 are pulsed together and cylinders 2, 4, and 6 are pulsed
together. The specification for an acceptable bank resistance is 4.4 ohms. Using Ohm's Law and assuming a hot run voltage of 14 vo l t s, we
determine that the bank would draw a current of 3.2 amps.
However this is not the case because as the injector windings become saturated, counter voltage is created which impedes the current flow.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
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Fig. 7: Single Injector w/Excessive Current Flow
- Current Pattern
EXAMPLE #2 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DRIVER
This time we will look at a GM 3.1L V6 VIN [T]. Fig. Fig. 8
shows the 1, 3, 5 (odd) injector bank with the current waveform indicating about
a 2.6 amp draw at idle. This pattern, taken from a known good vehicle, correctly stays at or below the maximum 2.6 amps current range.
Ideally, the current for each bank should be very close in comparison.
Notice the small dimple on the current flow's rising edge. This is the actual injector opening or what engineers refer to as the "set p o in t . " Fo r
good idle quality, the set point should be uniform between the banks.
When discussing Ohm's Law as it pertains to this parallel circuit, consider that each injector has specified resistance of 12.2 ohms. Since all
three injectors are in parallel the total resistance of this parallel circuit drops to 4.1 ohms. Fourteen volts divided by four ohms would pull a
maximum of 3.4 amps on this bank of injectors. However, as we discussed in EXAMPLE #1
above, other factors knock this value down to
roughly the 2.6 amp neighborhood.
Now we are going to take a look at the even bank of injectors; injectors 2, 4, and 6. See Fig. 9. Notice this bank peaked at 1.7 amps at idle as
compared to the 2.6 amps peak of the odd bank (Fig. Fig. 8
). Current flow between even and odd injectors banks is not uniform, yet it is not
causing a driveability problem. That is because it is still under the maximum amperage we figured out earlier. But be aware this vehicle could
develop a problem if the amperage flow increases any more.
Checking the resistance of this even injector group with a DVOM yielded 6.2 ohms, while the odd injector group in the previous example read
4.1 ohms.

Fig. 8: Injector Odd Bank w/Normal Current Flow
- Current Pattern

Fig. 9: Injector Even Bank w/Normal Current Flow
- Current Pattern
EXAMPLE #3 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DRIVER
Example #3 is of a Ford 5.0L V8 SEFI. Fig. Fig. 10
shows a waveform of an individual injector at idle with the Lab Scope set on 200
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