Pull-up Voltage
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What is Pull-up Voltage?
Pull-up voltage is a voltage supplied from within an ECM through an
internal resistor (typically 2K ohms). This reference voltage is used to
monitor the state (open or shorted) of a signal circuit. Pull-up circuits
are used on most sensor and switch inputs of electronic controls.
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How Does it Work?
A series circuit can be compared to the pull- up voltage circuit.
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This series circuit is constructed with two loads of the same size. The
voltage measured between each load to ground is 6 Volts.
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If an open is created between the two loads, the voltage measured will
now be 12 Volts.
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If a short is created between the two loads, the voltage measured will
now be 0 Volts.
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When comparing this circuit to a sensor circuit of an ECM, Load 1
represents the resistor inside the ECM and Load 2 represents the Switch
or Sensor.
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The point at which we measured voltage in the series circuit with a
voltmeter can be compared to the point where the signal sensing device
is measuring voltage.
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The Signal Sensing Device is always measuring the voltage drop of Load
2.
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Measuring across a closed switch is the same as measuring across two points of a
single conductor. One would not expect a voltage drop.
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The resistance of Load 2 can change according to the parameter
measured and the voltage value read at the Signal Sensing Device will
change.
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Measuring across a closed switch is the same as measuring across two points of a
single conductor. One would not expect a voltage drop.
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If Load 2 is not present or a open occurs in the wires going to Load 2,
full voltage will be seen by the Signal Sensing Device because Load 1
has no path to ground.
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The code for this condition with a sensor would be Voltage high or Open
circuit (FMI 03).
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If a short to ground occurs after Load 1 and the Signal Sensing Device,
no voltage will be seen by the Signal Sensing Device because it is now
measuring from ground to ground.
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The code for this condition with a sensor would be Voltage low or Short
circuit (FMI 04).
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If a closed switch is inserted in place of Load 2, the Signal Sensing
Device will see 0V.
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This is usually a desirable signal in a switch input circuit.
For example: The switch would close when oil pressure is present.
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If an open switch is inserted in place of Load 2, the Signal Sensing
Device will see 12V.
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This is usually an undesirable signal in a switch input circuit.
For example: The switch would open when oil pressure is not present or
an open has occurred.
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Typical Switch Circuit
Here is how the circuit would look on a machine.
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953C Switch Circuit
This is an example schematic of a switch type input that a technician
would see on a machine.
Note: COMPONENTS ARE SHOWN INSTALLED ON A FULLY
OPERABLE MACHINE WITH THE KEY AND ENGINE OFF
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Typical 2-Wire Sensor Circuit
2-wire sensors are monitored in the same manner as a switch, with the
exception of a variable resistor in place of switch contacts. The resistance
changes according to the measured parameter.
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Typical 2-Wire Sensor Circuit
The signal sensing device will measure the voltage drop across the
variable resistor of the sensor. In this example, the desirable signal is
somewhere between 0 and 5 volts, but never 0 and never 5. If 0V or 5V
is sensed a fault is activated.
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This is the operating range
for an Engine Temperature
Sensor
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Engine Temperature Sensor
This is an example schematic of a 2 wire sensor type input that a
technician would see on a machine.
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Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit
3-wire sensor circuits are monitored on the B and C terminals in the
same manner as a switch or 2-wire sensor circuit.
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Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit
If an open occurs in the circuit full voltage will be received by the Signal
Sensing Device. The technician would receive a “Voltage high”, or
“Open” diagnostic code (FMI-03)
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Typical 3-Wire Sensor Circuit
If a short occurs in the circuit, no voltage will be received by the Signal
Sensing Device. The technician would receive a “Voltage low”, or
“Short” diagnostic code (FMI-04)
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Engine Oil Pressure Sensor
This is an example schematic of a 3 wire sensor type input that a
technician would see on a machine.
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NOTE: Pull-up voltage values are application specific and may vary
between ECMs. Pull-up voltage sometimes is the same value as the
voltage source that powers the sensor, but does not have to be.
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NOTE: It is not important to know what the pull-up voltage value is for
a given signal circuit. Measuring voltage on an open circuit will provide
no indication as to the integrity of the signal circuit in terms of excessive
resistance.
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NOTE: Measuring voltage on an open circuit will give you an indication
of whether or not a circuit is open or closed, a function already provided
by the ECM. What is important is understanding how the ECM uses
pull-up voltage to diagnose the signal circuit.
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Questions?
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OK, I have a few…
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Question:
With the key on, what would the Signal Sensing Device see in the
condition shown?
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Answer: 5 volts or pull up voltage
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Question:
What would the Signal Sensing Device see in the condition shown?
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Answer: 0 volts or none
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Question:
Why does E.T. call this a “Voltage high” code?
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Answer: because the voltage seen by the signal sensing device is higher than it
should be.
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