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Looking for engine running signal

Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:05 pm
by alinton
Hey all, I'm installing a fancy alarm, and it wants a 12v signal that's there when the engine is running, i.e. not when ign is on solely.

Perhaps one of the wired at the ECU?

Any ideas appreciated.

A.

Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:05 pm
by H22turb0
must be a way

first thing i thought was the battery will be 14v when engine running so some kind of sensor to detect over 12v

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 3:46 pm
by mercutio
take a feed from the alternator?

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:46 am
by Merlin
Download the service manual as it will show want you want to know ;) http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/wiki/in ... ce_Manuals

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:50 am
by wurlycorner
Oil.pressure switch is the signal that most ancillary's (e.g. abs etc.) use to determine if the engine is running or not.

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:43 am
by alinton
Oil pressure! That's a great idea.

I have the manual already, I'll have a look where that goes.

Thanks!

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:20 pm
by alinton
I'm blowed if I can find the oil pressure switch! :)

Any help please? And/or where the wiring from it goes, i.e. if it ends up at the ECU?

(H22A3)

Ta

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:46 pm
by Merlin
I don't think you can use the oil pressure switch as when the switch activates all it does it ground a circuit (the power for the bulb comes from the other side), there is no voltage in there.

Image

Unless anyone can find anywhere else where that wire goes and has a different function?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:55 pm
by Merlin
What about 4WS? Surely that will only get power when the engine is on?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:02 pm
by wurlycorner
Merlin wrote:What about 4WS? Surely that will only get power when the engine is on?
That gets power from ignition I think. That's going on;
Ignition on, goes through self test (you can hear the relays clicking)
Without looking at the wiring diagrams... I think it then just sits there until it's initially activated by the ABS (speed signal, but possibly something else as well?). I think the ABS only gives those outputs when it realises the engine is running, which I think it determines (indirectly) by oil pressure? :lol:


Looking at that oil pressure switch diagram you posted up (good stuff!)...
It's a normally open switch, but I think 'normal' is with engine running?
If so, that means with engine running, the switch will be open, which means there will be floating 12v on that line (it's not earthed, so the light doesn't illuminate)
When the engine stops (or oil pressure drops) the switch closes and earths that part of the circuit meaning you'll have 12v on the input side of the bulb and 0v (or near as) on the output side of the bulb.
That also makes sense as being the 'fail safe' way of designing the circuit (you would want oil pressure to 'break' the feed).

If that's right, take a feed from the output side of the bulb (or at the oil pressure switch itself) and you have the feed you need.
Make sure the input side to whatever you're connecting it to has a high resistance though, otherwise you'll have your oil pressure light fully or dimly illuminated all the time...