Place to learn how to use a scope/meter

[mcj115]

I scored this fluke 98 scope meter last week at an auction for $40, just the damage of seeing a quality tool and throwing up my arm. It appears to be complete with all leads and it fires up with good backlighting, it even came with an aeswave COP paddle as a bonus. Now I am a novice diy'er and have never used a scope.
Other than simple tests like relative compression I really don't know or understand other possible diagoinstic. Are tests. Are there any good online resources to learn the capabilities of the tool.

Overall I doubt I'll ever use 25 percent of it's capability but for what I have invested this older scope seems to still be semi modern and a valid tool.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Pico scope has training videos on youtube, very concise. ScannerDanner and South Main Auto do some stuff too, but usually with pico/snap on stuff. Youtube is your freind here, lots of "tech training" stuff is out there, but you'll be stuck learning about cars too. Can't do one without the other.

It's all about knowing what you want to see. Plug it into your car, grab some signals.



Relative compression via volts only, is typically: 2v or 5v scale, AC coupled, inverted. If your scope runs on "per-division" like most for time base, the total capture time for the initial spike and cranking is maybe 5-10 seconds tops; work backwards from that. Change your scales and time bases, the cranking compression is consistent, see how you can manipulate the signal. How to stretch it, narrow it, extend and compress it.

What all accessories do you have? What multi meter experience do you have?

 

[Stuart in MN]

There's an official Fluke 97 training video on Youtube - I would assume it's going to be similar to the 98.

 

[paulsomlo]

Now I am a novice diy'er and have never used a scope.
Other than simple tests like relative compression I really don't know or understand other possible diagoinstic.

Looks like there's a current probe included - you'll appreciate that when you have to diagnose a possible bad alternator.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Looks like there's a current probe included - you'll appreciate that when you have to diagnose a possible bad alternator.

Or any DC motor or coil operated device. Injectors, coils, blower motor, washer pump, etc.



A/C blows cold but dies while driving for a while? Recharge via weight didn't fix it? Amp clamp on power supply to clutch, along with test lead to confirm voltage. Cycle A/C numerous times to load compressor; may need to run 15min or so to get warm. When compressor fails to engage, confirm amp draw has hit basically nothing (open coil), has dropped some (short in coil), or remains basically the same (air-gap issue). B+ on the test lead confirms the relay is still being energized, meaning the climate control head/module wants the compressor on. Use the back probed test lead or t-pin tied into the power supply side, then add a amp load approx. of what the compressor was drawing, ground it to the body of the compressor.

100% definitive test, 15 min or so.

 

[mikehaugen]

Not sure which current probe that is, or if it would be sensitive enough to be much help, but the low current probes are good at injector diagnosis.

 

[texasprd]

With there right setup and attachments, you can look at sensor output (crank/cam position sensors, airflow/manifold-pressure, ABS wheel/axle sensors, O2 sensors), you can look at driver signals from the ECM/PCM, etc - you name it.

I believe aeswave.com has (or had) something of a waveform library that would be instructional. Also, if you look at some of the scope accessories on their site, there are often little how-to guides with them - those might be instructional. I believe IATN has a waveform library - looks like you have to be a paying member, though.

To help you achieve information overload, here are some search results:
Interro wave form library (Interro is gone, but has links to other manufacturers waveform libraries)
free automotive waveform library
automotive oscilloscopes: waveform analysis pdf
automotive scope patterns