"Tool Time"

Service Tools I use for maintaining modern Rovers.


Battery and Alternator Checker
If you are not a "techie" and want a very simple method of check if your alternator and battery are working properly  then why not try a  dedicated Battery and Alternator Tester as sold by Maplin,  I am told Tandy also sell a similar gizmo. The Maplin part number is FU00A  price £9.99 (correct March 99).
 http://www.maplin.co.uk/


Digital Multi-Meter
With the price of electronic goods from the far east at an all time  low now is the time to buy yourself a digital multi-meter.  No need to buy especially designed for car maintenance  as general purpose ones are much cheaper.

Ideally for car work look for one that has the following features:
    DC Voltage scales of 0-2 volts and 0-20 volts DC.
   AC voltage scale of 0-20 volts (although a 0-200 volts will do).
   Resistance scales of 0-200 Ohms and other ranges up to 0-2M Ohms.
   A continuity tester with buzzer.
   DC Current Measurement up to 10 Amperes.
   An input impedance of greater than 1 M Ohm.

Prices for basic units start at about £7.00 to well over a £1000.00 but I use and recommend an Academy PG10B, available from Maplin part number GW18U price £24.99 including VAT  (correct March 99)  which lacks a 0-20 Volts AC scale but is still fine for checking  cranking voltage output of  the Crankshaft Angle Sensor (CAS) on Lucas and MEMS systems.  I have been using and abusing mine for 2 years without any problems.  If buying another make of unit examine the quality of the test probes very carefully as poorly made ones will give a lot of trouble.  http://www.maplin.co.uk/


Virtual Oscilloscope
For any serious fault finding on electronic management systems  an oscilloscope of some description is essential and needn't cost the earth.
Ignoring specialist automotive oscilloscopes the DIY buyer  on a budget has 3 choices;

(1)  Buy a second hand or basic model conventional oscilloscope  cost £120.00 upwards (look in adverts  in magazines such as "Everyday Practical Electronics" and "Wireless World".
(2)  Buy a "Virtual Oscilloscope" which plugs into the printer port of any PC cost from £59.00 to about £350.00 (see  http://www.picotech.com  for details of the Pico Scope  ADC range)
(3)  Buy a hand held or pen style Oscilloscope cost from about £98.00 upwards  (again see  http://www.picotech.comfor details of the  £98.00 osziFOX )

I use a very basic a virtual oscilloscope  which plugs into the printer port of an old Windows 3.11 486/66  PC in my garage, it is a Pico Scope  ADC-10 (£59.00) which has some disadvantages for car work but the Pico Scope software is excellent. The more up market Pico Scope ADC-42 (£111.63) or dual channel storage ADC-100 (£257.33) would be better choices for those on a less restricted budget. These more expensive virtual scopes have a 1 M Ohm input impedance which allows the use of standard x10  oscilloscope probes which are ideal for measuring automotive voltages. I use an HP-2060 probe, Maplin part number AQ58N,  price  £19.99 including VAT.
The oziFOX pen style  is sold by Pico Tech and as well as being compact and versatile can store readings for transfer and display on a PC it has received rave reviews in electronics magazines and appears remarkable value for money.
All Pico Scope equipment is also available through Maplin.  http://www.maplin.co.uk/
(Note all prices include were checked against those published in March 99


Lambda Sensor Tester

For MEMS equipped models with catalysts a Lambda Sensor Tester is a very quick and easy way of checking the MEMS ECU is controlling the fuel injection in closed loop mode. Gunson are now making one for which sells under £50.00 (March 99) and is available through Halfords.

My own very simple tester is home made (for anyone wanting to try this try these links: http://www.students.tut.fi/~eppu/dev/EGO-bar.html

http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~bm959/afr.htm


Exhaust Gas Analyser

For non catalyst models an exhaust gas analyser is essential to check the content of the exhaust gases when setting the idle mixture I use a Gunson Gaster, this is very much a "hobby" tool and I would not think it suited to semi-professional use but as it is the only type on the market at reasonable cost, available from Halfords.


Electronic Thermometer Probe

Modern cars are so dependant on sensors that this is now almost an essential item. I use a "Digital Thermometer with Steel Probe" sold by Maplin as part number RT20W for £30.99 including VAT (correct March 99) http://www.maplin.co.uk/
 


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