I built a working prototype for a G40 (hall effect / camshaft position - CMP sensor) over the weekend and wondered if there is interest in such a gizmo that quickly and easily provides visual confirmation that the sensor is working (located inside dissy on 3B and early AAN, and behind camshaft pulley on ABY/ADU & other AAN). I guess this 3-pin device is pretty common across lots of Audi models but I haven't really thought of that.
The parts in small volume come to ~10 quid and it takes about an hour to carefully make it up. The necessary crimp tool is nearer 40 quid - so its not like a kit form is going to be useful to many folk.
I was thinking of making a small production run if there is interest. Operation couldn't be simpler as you just unplug the loom from G40 and insert the tester using the AMP connectors provided. True plug and play.
It provides one lamp to show that supply voltage is present when the key is turned on. A second lamp blinks on every camshaft rotation to verify it is pulsing to the ECU. Of course this doesn't guarantee the accuracy and shape of the pulse, but as a roadside tool and for most folk who don't have access to things like oscilloscopes its a fantastic way to spot a dead sensor. No blinks and either G40 is dead or the camshaft isn't spinning.
I am thinking of a price tag in the £25-£35 territory - it somewhat depends on numbers and how lucky I am finding right bits at right prices as well.
Prices of replacement sensors vary greatly depending on source - this tester isn't competing with the price of a new sensor - it is competing with the time, hassle and expense of having a faulty one diagnosed professionally or as often happens - fitting a new one to cure some ailment on the car when it hasn't necessarily been root caused properly.
I'm just looking for general interest on this tester... its perhaps part of a series of S2central.net glovebox motronic testers as I am already working on the crankshaft sensors as well.
I will post up a pic of the prototype in due course... Will try to snag a movie of it working while cold cranking - that is really where it shines as you otherwise have no clue if its alive or not... Once the engine is idling, the blinks are so short that they are harder to see.
If there is interest, then please add your names to a list in this thread (without committment to purchase) and let it be known if you have strong views on the suggested price. When I have a better handle on whether I need to make three or thirty-three then I can finalise on that....
Cheers,
Paul
The parts in small volume come to ~10 quid and it takes about an hour to carefully make it up. The necessary crimp tool is nearer 40 quid - so its not like a kit form is going to be useful to many folk.
I was thinking of making a small production run if there is interest. Operation couldn't be simpler as you just unplug the loom from G40 and insert the tester using the AMP connectors provided. True plug and play.
It provides one lamp to show that supply voltage is present when the key is turned on. A second lamp blinks on every camshaft rotation to verify it is pulsing to the ECU. Of course this doesn't guarantee the accuracy and shape of the pulse, but as a roadside tool and for most folk who don't have access to things like oscilloscopes its a fantastic way to spot a dead sensor. No blinks and either G40 is dead or the camshaft isn't spinning.
I am thinking of a price tag in the £25-£35 territory - it somewhat depends on numbers and how lucky I am finding right bits at right prices as well.
Prices of replacement sensors vary greatly depending on source - this tester isn't competing with the price of a new sensor - it is competing with the time, hassle and expense of having a faulty one diagnosed professionally or as often happens - fitting a new one to cure some ailment on the car when it hasn't necessarily been root caused properly.
I'm just looking for general interest on this tester... its perhaps part of a series of S2central.net glovebox motronic testers as I am already working on the crankshaft sensors as well.
I will post up a pic of the prototype in due course... Will try to snag a movie of it working while cold cranking - that is really where it shines as you otherwise have no clue if its alive or not... Once the engine is idling, the blinks are so short that they are harder to see.
If there is interest, then please add your names to a list in this thread (without committment to purchase) and let it be known if you have strong views on the suggested price. When I have a better handle on whether I need to make three or thirty-three then I can finalise on that....
Cheers,
Paul
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