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Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

uid 49372's pic
posted by  740_dan on  Thu Dec 6 12:03 CST 2012
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last visit: Thu Aug 28 13:10 CST 2014
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So I buy the autoranging multimeter to gain a 10Mohm rating and test my oxygen sensor. But the reading doesn't make any sense, it skips negative numbers to way beyond 1v, is that because it's autoranging??

Electrical experts: help....
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    Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

    posted by  Swedish Baklava on  Fri Dec 7 06:22 CST 2012
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    Hi Dan, FYI.

    http://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10003/oxygen-sensor-testing








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      What I learned - Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

      uid 49372's pic
      posted by  740_dan on  Sun Dec 9 12:31 CST 2012
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      Thanks Baklava -

      This is a fairly good description of process, although our BB FAQ has equally good info http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineFuelinjection.htm#Oxygen_Sensor_Diagnosis. I would add that the 10M ohm impedance is *not* actually what the multimeter is set to. This is an *input* impedance *built_into_the_meter*. The Innova 3320 has it, for example, but the nice Klein line of multimeters doesn't since they aren't made for automotive diagnosis. One should look carefully for this spec when buying!

      Also one simply pulls back the rubber cover at the connection to expose the signal wire. Then an alligator clip is very handy to connect positive lead to the thin side of sensor's female connector, not the thick joint where same female mates with male spade connection from ECU side of line.

      I think my reading was also helped by using a long ground wire that alligator clamped to battery ground. Battery is best ground when car is running (learned that in FAQ!)

      DaN


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        What I learned - Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

        posted by  Swedish Baklava on  Tue Dec 11 07:05 CST 2012
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        Hi DaN

        Huh... It sounds Greek to me. I am still learning, hope I will understand near future. I will get there. ;-)








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        What I learned - Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

        posted by  Swedish Baklava on  Tue Dec 11 07:05 CST 2012
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        Hi DaN

        Huh... It sounds Greek to me. I am still learning, hope I will understand near future. I will get there. ;-)








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        Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

        uid 27's pic
        posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Dec 6 12:30 CST 2012
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        Yes, it would drive you nuts.

        I bought an Innova from Walmart on the road when replacing a battery (to make sure it was the battery and not the alt) and found out later you can't turn off the autorange function. I've warned about it in several posts here on the board, but not in the 700 section.

        The fact it is bouncing is cause for encouragement. A truly malfunctioning O2 sensor would just sit high or low (or mid range at 0.55V). Try to see if you can lock a range with your meter.
        --
        Art Benstein near Baltimore

        If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?








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          Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

          uid 49372's pic
          posted by  740_dan on  Thu Dec 6 14:49 CST 2012
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          Thanks Art! This is indeed an Innova 3320. I went and exchanged for for the "lesser" 3310, human decides input range. Still need to re-check sensor with it.

          I think autorange type would need a "hold" button or something to work? I think I would have to upgrade to Fluke brand....
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            Can I use an autoranging multimeter for oxygen sensor test? 700

            uid 27's pic
            posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Dec 6 16:04 CST 2012
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            Exchanged it? Good for you. I could not believe there wasn't a secret method to lock the range, especially since the display shows "auto" on it, as seen in this photo. Scoured the manual, pushed on the knobs, googled it... Figure it must have been a fluke they forgot the range lock function. Nice large numbers.




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            Art Benstein near Baltimore

            Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?







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          Thread hijack 700

          posted by  Onkel Udo II on  Thu Dec 6 13:22 CST 2012
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          My wife always makes fun of me for the weird contents of my "go bag" for travel. It has been refined over years of international travel and is eclectic (duct tape to maxipads to surgical tubing).

          One of those items is a simple analog multimeter of the 1970's Sears variety much like this one but with a second set of alligator clip leads made by yours truly that are about 8' long.

          http://www.lynx-india.com/index.php?productID=17160

          If I am traveling more than 50 miles from home, the go bag goes with me (unless I am traveling carry-on only). The third most often used item in that bag is that multimeter.

          In the back waters of Hungary and not 100% sure of that outlet you are about to plug your computer into...pull out the MM.

          Car stalls in the middle of nowhere Arkansas...you can troubleshoot.

          Etc. FYI, the most used item is the duct tape and the small "leatherman" style multitool takes second place.

          Least used item (thank goodness) is a micro-sd card with scans of all my CC, passport, health insurance and a bunch of phone #'s. Needed it once...and I really needed it.








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            Thread hijack 700

            posted by  Swedish Baklava on  Thu Dec 6 19:51 CST 2012
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            "surgical tubing"

            Hi Onkel Udo II, what for???








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              Thread hijack 700

              posted by  Onkel Udo II on  Thu Dec 6 20:03 CST 2012
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              Lots of things but primary use is a twisted strand of surgical tubing makes a great clothes line. The stuff stretches to ungodly lengths and you just tuck your cloths in between the strands...no clips needed.

              Also works for a siphon....a straw.

              Holds up a mosquito net when stretch between two objects (of course so does a length of para-cord which I also carry).

              Anything else that comes to mind.







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                Thread hijack 700

                posted by  Swedish Baklava on  Thu Dec 6 20:18 CST 2012
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                It sounds like undeveloped countries??








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                  Thread hijack 700

                  posted by  Onkel Udo II on  Thu Dec 6 20:39 CST 2012
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                  Often...not always.

                  Some times it is undeveloped areas of developed countries.

                  Some times it is "no room in the inn" decided to get out of London for the weekend only to find that Aberdeen is hosting a tall ships event so the only place to crash is in the park with the hippies.

                  More often it is just crap you need right now and there used to be no 24 hours shops in rural Europe except one pharmacy per town and the motorway/autobahn/autostrada gas stations. Things have changed some but even in 2001 my wife and I found ourselves in an Irish town with no bank or ATM and an innkeeper that only took cash. They had a "Bank Bus" that came through town once a week...the $300 in smal bills I kept in that go-bag were important.

                  Also, keep in mind that I have spent about 10 of my adult working years on the road. 8 of them in foreign countries. 4 of those in the middle east.

                  Most of my fondest memories of those times are holed up in some middle-of-nowhere spot surrounded by great people. Now that I travel with my wife more often than not, those experiences are less common but I still do not like to be caught flatfooted...who knows when you will need a safety pin for that tiny reset button on your GPS unit!








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            Thread hijack 700

            posted by  Chris Mullet on  Thu Dec 6 16:04 CST 2012
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            When you said "analog multimeter of the 1970's Sears variety", I had to follow the link for a look. Sure enough, there's my multimeter. The way I look at it, if the operator isn't very sophisticated, why should the tool be?

            It does work great for checking O2 sensor output - quite "visual".








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              Old meters 700

              uid 27's pic
              posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Dec 6 16:11 CST 2012
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              I can't tell from the photo, but it looks like the toolkit meter from that era which usually had a 1000 ohms per volt movement (1ma). Too much load for an oxygen sensor, but good for most anything else. While on the subject of antiques, even my old Simpson 260 (20,000 ohms/volt, loads it.

              For needle movement, I dragged out an old VTVM to use on the lambda sond. 11 meg input.


              --
              Art Benstein near Baltimore

              Why do we say something is out of whack? What's a whack?







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              Thread hijack 700

              posted by  Onkel Udo II on  Thu Dec 6 16:09 CST 2012
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              Yep...and works almost as well with a dead battery (no resistance testing)...much better than the operator and try that with your fancy digital multimeter (of which I have two or three).







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