Just a enquiry does anyone use a oscilloscope for sensor testing, if so handheld or pc based and what make.

Many thanks

I have a PicoScope. It's expensive but support for auto-related queries are good. Most sensors values can be read and logged via diagnostics. I also have an Intronix data analyzer which can monitor and decode CAN-Bus.

Many thanks for reply, pico scope is out of my price range, have been looking at vellerman hand held scopes. I have vcds but would like to go that bit further.

I use fluke scopes, probably a bit OTT for automotive use and expensive.

What I would say is that to do anything useful you need at least two channels preferably isolated from each other

i.e. the grounds of each channel are not connected inside the instrument.

Chris, many thanks for reply,can you enlarge a little on your comment on needing two channels, would this be to compare say a lamda probe against a MAF sensor

Usually you need to compare the response of one sensor against another one or a control signal.

 

This site has some good examples:

 

http://www.tiepie-automotive.com/en/Measurement_examples