1 Advanced D-TAC Testing

2 D-TAC testing – Part 2 This presentation is meant to be viewed after the introductory presentation ‘D-TAC testing – Batteries and Full System Tests.ppt’ has been viewed. The first D-TAC presentation covers: –Basic battery testing –Advanced battery testing using the charging unit –Full system test that include battery, starter and alternator test This presentation is meant to be viewed after the introductory presentation ‘D-TAC testing – Batteries and Full System Tests.ppt’ has been viewed. The first D-TAC presentation covers: –Basic battery testing –Advanced battery testing using the charging unit –Full system test that include battery, starter and alternator test

3 Advanced D-TAC tests This presentation will cover using the D-TAC for: –Voltage drop testing –Multimeter functions –Inductive ammeter functions –Lab Scope functions –Infrared temperature measurement –Temperature probe [contact and immersion] temperature measurement This presentation will cover using the D-TAC for: –Voltage drop testing –Multimeter functions –Inductive ammeter functions –Lab Scope functions –Infrared temperature measurement –Temperature probe [contact and immersion] temperature measurement

4 Test leads Adapter for DMM test leads Battery test leadsInductive ‘Amps Clamp’

5 Voltage Drop testing Poor cranking and undercharged batteries can be caused by excess resistance in the cables connecting the battery positive terminal to the alternator and starter or the battery negative terminal to the engine block. A voltage drop test can pinpoint resistance in the cables or connections by measuring the difference in voltage from cable end to end as current is passed through the circuit. Poor cranking and undercharged batteries can be caused by excess resistance in the cables connecting the battery positive terminal to the alternator and starter or the battery negative terminal to the engine block. A voltage drop test can pinpoint resistance in the cables or connections by measuring the difference in voltage from cable end to end as current is passed through the circuit.

6 Conductance testing for circuit resistance The D-TAC measures circuit resistance by conductance testing. During the test the D-TAC inputs an AC electrical current into the circuit and measures the change in amplitude at it’s output Unlike conventional voltage drop testing the ignition system does not need to be disabled and there is no need to place a load [using a VAT] on the battery during the charging system part of the test The D-TAC measures circuit resistance by conductance testing. During the test the D-TAC inputs an AC electrical current into the circuit and measures the change in amplitude at it’s output Unlike conventional voltage drop testing the ignition system does not need to be disabled and there is no need to place a load [using a VAT] on the battery during the charging system part of the test

7 Cable voltage drop test menu The ‘Cable Voltage Drop” test is selected from the D- TAC’s main menu

8 Cable voltage drop test menu There are 3 pre-set tests: –Battery Ground –Starter Circuit –Charging System Circuit There are 3 pre-set tests: –Battery Ground –Starter Circuit –Charging System Circuit The ‘Other’ test allows the technician to setup the D- TAC to run circuit resistance tests on any automotive circuit Start with the battery negative cable test The ‘Other’ test allows the technician to setup the D- TAC to run circuit resistance tests on any automotive circuit Start with the battery negative cable test

9 Battery test leads for cable-drop test The voltage drop test requires that the battery test lead set be attached to the socket on the left side of the D-TAC

10 D-TAC test leads There normally isn’t any negative terminal on either the starter or the alternator – the test leads should be connected to a clean, unpainted surface on the starter and alternator housing For the ‘cable drop’ test the D-TAC’s built-in leads are connected to the starter and alternator positive and negative terminals

11 Set the battery ground amperage The default setting is 80 amps which should work well for most 4 cylinder vehicles Diesels and 8 cylinder engines can be set slightly higher The default setting is 80 amps which should work well for most 4 cylinder vehicles Diesels and 8 cylinder engines can be set slightly higher

12 Battery ground - Initial test lead setup The first part of the test establishes the battery voltage at the terminals and battery conductance

13 Connect battery cable test leads Connect the D-TAC negative test lead to a good chassis ground

14 Second D-TAC test lead setup Connect the red D-TAC test lead to a good chassis ground If there is a pigtail lead on the battery negative cable connect the red D-TAC test lead to the chassis near where the pigtail terminal is bolted to the uni-body Connect the red D-TAC test lead to a good chassis ground If there is a pigtail lead on the battery negative cable connect the red D-TAC test lead to the chassis near where the pigtail terminal is bolted to the uni-body

15 Battery ground – Test results The test takes only an instant – the results will show on the screen immediately

16 High resistance High resistance is usually the result of corrosion at the terminal ends If cleaning the terminal ends does not improve the resistance the cable needs to be replaced High resistance is usually the result of corrosion at the terminal ends If cleaning the terminal ends does not improve the resistance the cable needs to be replaced

17 High resistance on negative side If the test fails and the resistance is mostly on the negative side, remove and clean the battery negative terminal and the engine ground terminal The engine ground terminal is usually located on one of the bolts that connect the engine to the transmission If the test fails and the resistance is mostly on the negative side, remove and clean the battery negative terminal and the engine ground terminal The engine ground terminal is usually located on one of the bolts that connect the engine to the transmission Clean

18 Battery brush When cleaning battery terminals the battery brush is used to clean the battery post and the cable end terminal

19 Battery brush The inside surface of the terminal must also be cleaned

20 Starter circuit test Return to the Cable Drop menu to select the Starter Test

21 Set the starter current Most vehicles with 4 and 6 cylinder engines will use the default 150 amp setting V8 and diesel engines should be set at 200 amp Most vehicles with 4 and 6 cylinder engines will use the default 150 amp setting V8 and diesel engines should be set at 200 amp

22 Setup for starter circuit test Battery test leads D-TAC test leads

23 Battery terminal test lead reminder The small battery test leads must be plugged into the socket on the left side of the D-TAC

24 Connect battery cable test leads Connect the battery test leads to the battery cable terminal ends

25 Test lead position reminder Connect the negative D-TAC lead to any un-painted and corrosion free surface on the starter housing

26 Connect D-TAC test leads Connect red D-TAC test lead to the starter positive terminal and black D-TAC test lead to the starter housing [or engine block near the starter]

27 Starter solenoid terminal designations ‘B+’ terminal connects to battery positive terminal ‘M’ terminal connects to starter motor field windings or directly to the brushes on permanent magnet starters ‘R’ terminal rarely used on modern cars ‘S’ terminal connects to starter relay or neutral safety switch

28 Run the test Press the ‘S’ button to run the test The test will run in a second or less and display the test results for the positive and negative starter cables Press the ‘S’ button to run the test The test will run in a second or less and display the test results for the positive and negative starter cables

29 High resistance on positive side If the test fails and the resistance is mostly on the positive side, remove and clean the battery positive terminal and the cable end at the starter B+ terminal Use a battery brush to clean battery terminals and medium grit sandpaper to clean cable end terminals If the test fails and the resistance is mostly on the positive side, remove and clean the battery positive terminal and the cable end at the starter B+ terminal Use a battery brush to clean battery terminals and medium grit sandpaper to clean cable end terminals Clean

30 Charging system test Return to the Cable Drop menu to select the Charging System cable drop test

31 Set charging current Most modern cars have an alternator that can produce about 80 Amps of current Reset the current setting if the vehicle is equipped with an alternator that produces more than 80 Amps Most modern cars have an alternator that can produce about 80 Amps of current Reset the current setting if the vehicle is equipped with an alternator that produces more than 80 Amps

32 Charging system test setup The black D- TAC test lead should be clamped to a clean, un- painted surface on the alternator housing 100 Amp fuse Fuse Box

33 Charging system setup menu The D-TAC will prompt you as to the position of the test leads

34 Test leads for the alternator In most vehicles you will have to slide back the alternator output [B+] terminal cover to attach the test leads to the B+ post

35 Test leads remain connected to the battery Make sure the battery leads are still connected to the battery positive and negative terminals

36 Battery terminal test leads The battery terminal test leads are connected to the battery positive and negative terminals

37 Charging system - Test results The test takes a second or two – then the results are displayed on the screen

38 Charging circuit cable drop test failure If there is high resistance in the positive side of the charging circuit: –Check the cable connections at the alternator B+ post –Check the connections at the battery that provides current to the fuse box –Check for a loose connection or corrosion at the alternator fuse terminal sockets If there is high resistance in the positive side of the charging circuit: –Check the cable connections at the alternator B+ post –Check the connections at the battery that provides current to the fuse box –Check for a loose connection or corrosion at the alternator fuse terminal sockets

39 Flat steel fusible links If the vehicle uses flat metal fusible links – check connections for corrosion or looseness Disconnect the battery negative cable before disconnecting fusible links The fusible link for the alternator is usually the largest If the vehicle uses flat metal fusible links – check connections for corrosion or looseness Disconnect the battery negative cable before disconnecting fusible links The fusible link for the alternator is usually the largest

40 Multi-meter Functions

41 Supported Multi-meter tests DC Volts volts AC Volts volts DC Amps amps - inductive AC Amps amps - inductive Ohms Diode test0 – 1.5 volts Infrared temperature -20 – 200 degrees F. Direct contact temperature -20 – 200 degrees F. Labscope single channel - no trigger function DC Volts volts AC Volts volts DC Amps amps - inductive AC Amps amps - inductive Ohms Diode test0 – 1.5 volts Infrared temperature -20 – 200 degrees F. Direct contact temperature -20 – 200 degrees F. Labscope single channel - no trigger function

42 Adapter for multi-meter test leads The multi-meter test lead adapter must be connected to the socket on the left side of the D-TAC to measure volts, ohms and to use the lab scope functions

43 Inductive amps / clamp The inductive amps / clamp adapter will be needed for DC and AC current measurements

44 Multi-meter Functions Select the DMM from the main menu

45 Measuring voltage Select Volts DC from the DMM [Meters] menu

46 Connect standard meter probes The adapter allows you to connect standard multi-meter probes with banana plug terminal ends to the D-TAC

47 Test menu The D-TAC reminds you to connect the test adapter

48 Auto-ranging The D-TAC selects the proper voltage range to display based on the peak voltage measured during the auto- ranging process

49 Connect the probes to the circuit Connect the probes to the circuit being tested

50 Voltage display The voltage level between the black and red leads is displayed on the screen You can use the volt meter function to perform convention voltage drop tests The voltage level between the black and red leads is displayed on the screen You can use the volt meter function to perform convention voltage drop tests

51 Measuring A/C volts If you are measuring AC voltage, return to the Meter Menu and select AC voltage AC voltage is generated by several types of automotive sensors ABS wheel speed sensor are one of the most common sensors where AC voltage is measured If you are measuring AC voltage, return to the Meter Menu and select AC voltage AC voltage is generated by several types of automotive sensors ABS wheel speed sensor are one of the most common sensors where AC voltage is measured

52 Scope function The D-TAC can display voltage waveforms Use ‘Scope’ in the Meter menu to access the scope function The D-TAC can display voltage waveforms Use ‘Scope’ in the Meter menu to access the scope function

53 Labscope screen The same adapter and test leads used for measuring voltage are used for the scope function

54 Labscope To make an electrical connection to a sensor or actuator circuit a paper clip is inserted into the back of the electrical connector until it contacts the terminal inside the cavity The test lead is then connected to the paper clip To make an electrical connection to a sensor or actuator circuit a paper clip is inserted into the back of the electrical connector until it contacts the terminal inside the cavity The test lead is then connected to the paper clip Paper clip Injector harness connector

55 Labscope screen The labscope displays voltage as it changes over time The horizontal scale is time – running from left to right The labscope displays voltage as it changes over time The horizontal scale is time – running from left to right

56 Labscope screen Pressing the ‘S’ button freezes the frame Pressing the down button will display the frequency of the pattern [FFT] Pressing the ‘S’ button freezes the frame Pressing the down button will display the frequency of the pattern [FFT]

57 Measuring resistance To measure resistance select ‘Ohms’ from the meter menu

58 Measuring resistance Before pressing ‘next’ connect the black and red test leads together

59 Connect the red and black test leads Connecting the test leads allows the D-TAC to compensate for minor resistance in the leads and connections to the D-TAC

60 Measuring resistance During the auto-range process the ohmmeter is zeroed out

61 Measuring resistance Connect the test leads to the component being tested When measuring resistance the component must be disconnected from the circuit or removed and bench tested Connect the test leads to the component being tested When measuring resistance the component must be disconnected from the circuit or removed and bench tested

62 Measuring resistance The resistance value will displayed like this

63 Diode test The diode test must be done with the diode disconnected from the circuit

64 Diode test The diode test measures the amount of voltage needed to forward bias the diode Connect the black probe to one side of the diode and the red probe to the opposite side – read the voltage on the DMM screen Reverse the probes and read the DMM again The meter should read ‘OL’ [over limit] with the probes in one position and about 0.5 volts with the probes reversed If the DMM reads ‘OL’ in both positions the diode is defective The diode test measures the amount of voltage needed to forward bias the diode Connect the black probe to one side of the diode and the red probe to the opposite side – read the voltage on the DMM screen Reverse the probes and read the DMM again The meter should read ‘OL’ [over limit] with the probes in one position and about 0.5 volts with the probes reversed If the DMM reads ‘OL’ in both positions the diode is defective

65 Measuring DC current The D-TAC measures current with the inductive amps / clamp

66 Connect the amps / clamp to the D- TAC The amps / clamp connects to the D-TAC via the socket on the left side

67 Connect the amps / clamp This screen prompts you to connect the clamp

68 Zero out the amps clamp After connecting the amps clamp press the ‘S’ button to zero out the sensor

69 Select the amperage range Starting and charging system tests will require the 700 amp range All other automotive circuits can be tested at 70 amps Starting and charging system tests will require the 700 amp range All other automotive circuits can be tested at 70 amps

70 Ammeter setup The amps clamp should surround only one conductor wire FuseSwitch Light bulb

71 Incorrect ammeter setup FuseSwitch Light bulb If the amps clamp surrounds both the power feed and ground wire the magnetic fields of both wires cancel each other out Whether or not the circuit has current flowing through it the D-TAC will read zero

72 Amps /clamp Make sure the amps / clamp is completely closed before taking measurements

73 Ammeter screen The ammeter screen display

74 Infrared temperature measurement The infrared sensor in the base of the D-TAC can be used to measure the temperature of any component

75 Infrared temperature measurement Unlike a conventional infrared probe there is no laser pointer Infrared sensor

76 Infrared temperature measurement The D-TAC must be held close to the component being measured Press the ‘S’ select button to take the measurement The D-TAC must be held close to the component being measured Press the ‘S’ select button to take the measurement

77 Infrared temperature display The temperature display screen

78 Direct temperature measurement The ‘Thermal Temp’ test is for special probes that can measure surface temperature, air temperature and fluid temperature

79 Direct temperature measurement Direct temperature uses special temperature probes that change resistance as temperature changes

80 Direct temperature measurement Conventional temperature probes are connected to the two prong temp socket on the right side of the D-TAC

81 Temperature measurement Press the ‘S’ button to take the measurement. The measurement will be held until another measurement is made Press the ‘S’ button to take the measurement. The measurement will be held until another measurement is made

82 DMM test leads Testing electrical and electronic system components requires a good selection of test leads The D-TAC uses the same type of sleeved banana plug terminal as most multi-meters Modular test lead sets can be purchased at Sears, Radio shack and online that will enhance your ability to make quick and accurate test with your DMM You can also build customized test leads using banana plugs plus your imagination Testing electrical and electronic system components requires a good selection of test leads The D-TAC uses the same type of sleeved banana plug terminal as most multi-meters Modular test lead sets can be purchased at Sears, Radio shack and online that will enhance your ability to make quick and accurate test with your DMM You can also build customized test leads using banana plugs plus your imagination