> I am hesitating to use a led for reading the flashes for two reasons;
> - I can measure the signal more precisely with a scope or Labjack D/A
> converter sampling every 0.05 s
I can see and process a light flashing once every couple of seconds
better than following a scrolling screen of square waves.
> - I think 10 V would overpower the LEDS I have handy
There's most likely B+ available at the diagnostic terminal. If you
read 10v with a 10Mohm input impedence scope, then you probably have a
weak battery. The signal *is* probably run through a resistor inside
the ECM so it can be pulled down easily, but that shouldn't affect it's
no-load voltage reading.
> Would a led make a difference?
I don't know enough about how the system works to be sure if the
impedence of a typical automotive LED test light (or high impedence
meter) would be adequate to initiate communication, but it wouldn't
hurt to try, and they're cheap. They're great to have in your tool
box, too. My guess *still* is that there is a constant pulsed
grounding of this B+ output at all times regardless of any load on the
circuit. That's why I suggested the low current test light, and feel
that the scope, while unnecessarily clumsy for this app, should have
worked as well.
> I analysed the signal from both pins 7 and E and it appears the same, a
> continuous train of square waves with an (-10V?) x 300 mSec average
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> measurement process. In any case they don't correspond to the codes in
> the Haynes manual.
I really don't know. I would be tempted to borrow an analog VOM at
this point and follow the directions to the letter.
> I have disconnected the negative terminal of the battery for a minute
> to reset and the results are the same.
> Is this an indicator that the ECM is damaged? Or is this what a normal
> "no trouble" signal looks like?
The ECM is likely OK, as they aren't major failure candidates.
Disregard that statement if this is a Mitsubishi ECM as they are
trouble prone. I don't know what ECM is in your 91 Excel.
> O2 Sensor
> I will measure the O2 sensor response next week, however, I had not
> done this already because disconnecting the sensor has no effect on the
> original problem (rough idle and rich condition) and so I judged it not
> to have a bearing on the problem? Could I be wrong here?
A normally operating system will see very low voltage (0.0 to 0.4) from
a lazy sensor and run rich for a while until the ECM determines this as
a problem and sets a code. Then it will run in 'backup' mode where it
doesn't rely on the O2 sensor input. Disconnecting the O2 sensor (0.0
volts constant) will expedite this process.
You've never mentioned anything about the MIL (check engine light)
being on. Does the MIL come on with the key on, engine off? Does it
stay on with engine running or does it go out? If it is working
properly and goes out engine running, then you have no current codes
stored. OTOH, if the light is inop, and you have a slurry of
nonsensical codes stored, I would be looking for a bad EFI ground.
If all of this is basically academic because you just want to learn how
to read codes on a car that has none, I would suggest that you
disconnect the coolant temp sensor and wait til the MIL comes on, then
check for code 21 (I think its 21).
Toyota MDT in MO