DIY Pulse Sensor Under $1.00

Here we create a DIY pulse sensor for under $1.00!! Pulse sensor diagnostics are great to check the mechanical integrity of the engine, without stripping it down. Use in conjunction with an oscilloscope (I'm using PicoScope 2204A), we can check for valve train issues, head gasket problems and even piston ring wear!
Piezo Sensors
USA - amzn.to/2Gv9Nx8
UK - amzn.to/3iAAXA5
Check out this video - Intro to Pulse Sensor Diagnostics! • Pulse Sensor Diagnosti...
Link to PicoScope Waveforms: www.mechanicmindset.com/share/76
My PicoScope Set Up: kit.co/mechanicmindset
USA Product Links:
PicoScope 2000 Series - amzn.to/39shJtc
Hantek Automotive Leads x2 - amzn.to/300TCyL
20:1 Attenuator - amzn.to/3eWAzKc
Back Probes - amzn.to/32XGJYa
Alligator Clips - amzn.to/3jGeMtR
UK Product Links:
PicoScope 2000 Series - amzn.to/314P89D
Hantek Automotive Leads x2 - amzn.to/3fj7Yiv
20:1 Attenuator - amzn.to/2EAnbyR
Back Probes - amzn.to/2Dpmjwk
Alligator Clips - amzn.to/318INtF
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Video Links:
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CAN Bus Multimeter Test - • How To Test CAN BUS Wi...
5 Easy Oscilloscope Tips - • BASIC AUTOMOTIVE OSCIL...
Quick Misfire Check - • FIND MISFIRES FAST! [H...
PicoScope Compression Test - • GOOD vs BAD RELATIVE C...
Hantek CC-650 Amp Clamp - • HANTEK CC-650 AUTOMOTI...
The Mechanic Mindset channel is here to help you improve your automotive diagnostic skills. We upload regular, easy to understand, automotive training and tutorial videos covering topics such as; oscilloscope diagnostics, PicoScope, CAN bus, waveform analysis and much more! Subscribe to stay up to date!

[@MechanicMindset]

Check out this video - Intro to Pulse Sensor Diagnostics! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHTGioOeqct-ic0

[@frankjohn4302]

Thanks

[@yachtsteve]

Really appreciate you making these videos that seems like a incredibly useful quick not intrusive inexpensive test

[@MechanicMindset]

I like this one 😁

[@miltonsignorini1009]

Thanks for information

[@mechanicmatt871]

That's an ingenious way of making a low cost pulse sensor, like you said it's a useful tool. Cheers Mate 👍

[@MechanicMindset]

Mechanic Matt I was pleased with it, have to give it a proper go now! Cheers 👍

[@alejandroayala703]

I really liked this video blessings ❤

[@steveguest8028]

Great idea that is 👍

[@mike-yp1uk]

This content is very interesting to understand the hows and why of the pulse sensor. I love this channel.

[@MechanicMindset]

Cheers!

[@alibatebi2161]

wow you the man a genius man. i wish you had this video last year , before i spend $300 on FIRST LOOK sensor thank for video.

[@DJ-tn7vj]

I told him the same thing.lol

[@MechanicMindset]

Haha, sorry guys! Although, I think the pro sensors will be a bit better than this fine piece of engineering! Haha

[@frugalprepper]

Love It!

[@frankjohn4302]

That is so 😎. Thanks for videos

[@MechanicMindset]

I like this too! Glad you are enjoying the videos 👍

[@tony251]

Top invention...must say u r a champion.

[@MechanicMindset]

Cheers! Amazing little components these piezo elements. More to come! 👍

[@robertmobileman8304]

Nice one Darren, good video

[@MechanicMindset]

Robert mobileman Thanks for watching 👍

[@rotorblade9508]

these seem very useful

[@MechanicMindset]

It’s a cool little tool. You going to give it a try?!

[@mrracer98]

Nice work! Your channel will grow mate! Cheers from the USA. I am really enjoying your videos and I feel they fill a void in YT for O scope stuff

[@MechanicMindset]

Jeremy Glad you’re enjoying the channel and thanks for the feedback! Which videos do you like most? Can I ask if you are pro or enthusiast?

[@mrracer98]

@@MechanicMindset Was a trained marine mechanic 20 years ago (never worked as a mech tho) but I am just an enthusiast that does a lot of wrenching. New to late model diagnostics.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Nice! I'm sure Cody appreciates the plug!

[@MechanicMindset]

Credit where credit is due! A guy in the UK, M.A.Diagnostics has sent me a few samples. I’ll upload a video of them soon 👍

[@powerdiagnosticcars5055]

Thanks bro ..Greetings from Venezuela

[@MechanicMindset]

Great to have you on the channel!

[@saibabupodala6297]

I think it's a good tool u r videos given good knowledge and New thinking tq bro 🙏

[@MechanicMindset]

Glad you enjoyed the video, have you made the sensor yet?

[@planet1250]

Brilliant man !

[@MechanicMindset]

planet1250 Thanks for watching 👍

[@ADDAUTOMOBILESERVICES]

Great work

[@MechanicMindset]

Ansong Daniel Danso Thanks for watching!

[@mrpakravian]

Great engineering

[@MechanicMindset]

Syed Shah Haha thanks. I shouldn’t mention my first attempt where I slipped and extra step with the cone cutter 😂

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Lovely idea my friend. I've used pizo sensors on USAF airplanes - they were called strain relief gauges. Caught the slightest flex in the fuselage, tail section, wings, etc. Great idea you have. When I looked at your exhaust pulses I said to myself that those pulses would show a bad cylinder. I'm going to make up some myself. Many thanks, "Mate." :)

[@MechanicMindset]

Michael Donavon Ah cool application for the piezo sensors; I bet that was amazing working in such machines! I can’t claim the idea as my own, but I will take the credit for the extremely cheap approach 😂. Glad it’s inspired you to have a go mate 👍 There’s a whole rabbit hole to go down for pulse sensor diagnostics!

[@gmak1n785]

That's awesome dude

[@MechanicMindset]

Cheers, give it a go. So cheap!

[@gmak1n785]

@@MechanicMindset I am going to build one thanks, I am a workshop manager / master tech in a main dealer and we have seen a few issues in the past where this would have come in handy

[@Pablo_Automotive]

Really nice

[@MechanicMindset]

Pablo Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Been thinking about making one of those for ages... Your video was the push I was waiting for... lol Piezo sensors are on the way... ;-)

[@MechanicMindset]

Haha awesome! So many things you can do with this sensor; and piezo elements! Let me know how you get on 😂

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@@MechanicMindset I will might video it... 😊 👍👍👍

[@MechanicMindset]

@@LMAutoRepairs Cool, look forward to it! 👍

[@hsubdarb]

Parts list for a diy Firstlook sensor. 35mm piezo, 1" PVC slip quick disconnect, (2) 1" PVC slip plugs, 1/4" npt hose barb, pg7 cable gland, female bnc cable, 1/4" fuel shutoff valve, 1/4" vacuum hose.

[@MechanicMindset]

Thanks!

[@DansDiagnostics]

Spot on mate 👌

[@MechanicMindset]

Dans Diagnostics Thanks for watching! 👍

[@TheDerekeder]

I just discovered and am really enjoying your clear and intelligent videos! These piezo transducers are essentially capacitative and, in theory (and good engineering practice), the Scope input amplifier would be happier with a very high resistance (over 20 megohms) across the transducer leads so the scope input bias current has a path to ground.

[@MechanicMindset]

Great to have you on the channel! Describing them as capacitive really helps understand how they work! Interesting info regarding the resistor; I do have some lying around so mig have a play. Just connect between pos and neg in parallel? Thanks for sharing the insights!

[@TheDerekeder]

@@MechanicMindset it probably doesn't make any practical difference in this application. If the transducer were being amplified, then the leakage current could produce nasty offsets and even saturate the amplifier.

[@billytremoloband7456]

Brilliant /interesting video , defo going to try this out!

[@MechanicMindset]

Billy Tremolo Band Awesome, let us know how you get on! 👍

[@billytremoloband7456]

I will of course, I still haven’t got my Pico yet 😭, after splashing out on a autel mk908p last week so funds are a bit tight for the next while! I did however get my hands on a none operating fluke 124 2 channel scope for free which turns out it only the battery was the issue which was shorting it causing it to not fire up so I must order a battery for that and have a pay with it until I get the Pico! I’m looking at getting some system for wiring diagrams, what would you think of the all data system? As I have access to autodata ?

[@MechanicMindset]

Billy Tremolo Band Score!! Afraid I’m not too hot on aftermarket wiring/data providers; I have pretty much always worked with OEM data

[@billytremoloband7456]

Mechanic Mindset To honest I’ve only dabbled with the autodata in my old job but have had to check out topix quite a bit for various diagrams since making the move to Jlr and I must say topix is brilliant, bit fiddly but very clear picks etc

[@robbolt1099]

Excellent video, ordered all the parts and signed up to your monthly courses.

[@MechanicMindset]

Awesome! Let me know how you get on with the build. Hope you enjoy the lessons; I’m really excited about building all the training 😃

[@robbolt1099]

@@MechanicMindset will do Darren, does it matter which way up the piezo sensor is fitted? (White disc facing up towards input or opposite)

[@MechanicMindset]

@@robbolt1099 I put the white disc facing the inlet pipe. Haven’t tried the other way round

[@stephanevaucelles6378]

thanks for video

[@MechanicMindset]

You’re welcome stephane vaucelles!

[@stephanevaucelles6378]

@@MechanicMindset hello , I used this video to do almost the same kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHuWhJ1_irqaodE

[@alrifainidal]

great video my friend keep the good work

[@MechanicMindset]

Thanks Nidal Alrifai! Glad you’re enjoying the channel, more to come for sure! 👍

[@alrifainidal]

@@MechanicMindset i have a car with u0115 . i did can high and low wave form they look normal how come with network issue i have a good signal . 2012 hyundai avante 1.6 GDI MD . pleas help if you want i can send you the wave form just i need your email pleas

[@MechanicMindset]

Hi Nidal Alrifai Have you checked the module which the code relates to? Do you have any modules that are not communicating on the diagnostic check? It could also be a power supply problem with a module which would not affect the CAN waveform. You can find my email address in the About section of the channel 👍

[@MechanicMindset]

Nidal Alrifai Also, what are the symptoms/complaint?

[@alrifainidal]

@@MechanicMindset thanks for your reply

[@stephenmarshall5302]

Thank you for the mention, thats awesome, I will need to activate my M.A Diagnostics Facebook page so people can see my sensors for sale. I'm working on other tools aswel but thats a bit away yet. One thing I will say about the video is when putting it into the dipstick you will need to isolate the intake from the crankcase, due to them being exposed to each other you may see issues from valves in the crankcase and the other way aswel

[@MechanicMindset]

stephen marshall Looking forward to getting my Marshall’s sensor! 👍. Thanks for the advice, will have a proper play at some point and might hit you up.

[@stephenmarshall5302]

@@MechanicMindset mist definitely 👍

[@AbbottAutomotive]

I'm looking forward to receiving my pulse sensor from Stephen Marshall @ M.A Diagnostics 👍 As usual nice work Darren.

[@stephenmarshall5302]

@@AbbottAutomotive i have Darren's ready and 1 pink one but thats all 🤭. My soldering iron had issues today 😑 and soldering onto those piezo sensors is very difficult, but we shall overcome 💪

[@AbbottAutomotive]

@@stephenmarshall5302 one step at a time buddy 👍🏻

[@johnmwangi6291]

Awesome..

[@MechanicMindset]

john mwangi Thanks for watching!

[@d.d4184]

Very nice build. I got one of Cody's pulse sensors brilliant and not that expensive to ship to Europe. It would be nice to see a few more videos with this being used. Not much content on the net at the moment.

[@MechanicMindset]

D. D Thanks! Awesome tool and Cody does a great job by the look of it. I will for sure be making some easy to follow videos on this subject. 👍

[@d.d4184]

@@MechanicMindset brilliant thanks appreciate that.

[@DJ-tn7vj]

Yo D. I'm making one of these next week

[@MechanicMindset]

How did you get on?!

[@AN77]

Nice, Thanks. It seems to provide many possibilities in diagnosis. Is this with pulse sensors a new thing in diagnostic business.

[@MechanicMindset]

With a quick search on KZbin, I can see videos for pulse sensor diagnostics from 7 years ago. So I don’t think this method is so old, not many people know about it. Glad you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@jamesbarratt593]

I just realised the hank amp clamp is the same as you get in the Autel amp clamp kit. Only it has an Autel sticker. I have it here.

[@sollykhan2385]

Fantastic video, great DIY to save a big handful of cash, i hope that 'moggy' had a very sensitive sensor on too, sounded like it needed food, or cuddles 😿 keep up the great work 🙂👍

[@MechanicMindset]

It’s a great little tool, so easy to make and very sensitive! Hope you give it a go 👍 Wednesday (the cat) is fine, after attention. She scared me though 😂

[@sollykhan2385]

@@MechanicMindset Yes i shall def make that tool, as soon as the shops are open to get the various items needed, 🙂👍, ohh that's a curious name for a little Moggy, 😻, i had a very tiny tortoiseshell,( Penny) some years back, it never grew much, not due to lack of food though, i wonder if you got your cat on that particular day ? i have a friend who has a ginger Tom, called 'SPANNER' (keeps it at his garage, due to mice and rat influx in the region!) Take care, and Bless, please put more video's out 😇👍

[@MechanicMindset]

@@sollykhan2385 Wednesday, like the little girl in The Adams Family 😄

[@sollykhan2385]

@@MechanicMindset ohh Gosh, never thought of that!!🤔🤵‍♀🐱

[@CHIBA280CRV]

That’s a fantastic informative build and video 👍 ....So what did you do to the cat ..🐈😡.. ?

[@MechanicMindset]

Cheers! Haha, she scared me, didn’t know what the crazy noise was. I locked her in the house 😂

[@AutoDiag_]

Would be nice if you could make video with more in depth about this sensor. Cooling system, intake etc and analyse what you actually looking at. Thank you.

[@MechanicMindset]

It’s on the list, hope to do that before the year ends 👍

[@juanmgomezb]

Hi, very well explained how to do that. I have a question that comes across... Is the size of the piezo sensor important? I meant, the bigger in size you have, the better signal you get? And the internal diameter of the hose matters? Any size that you recommend? Thanks for your reply. I'm a fan of your channel. Keep going

[@MechanicMindset]

Hi, glad you’re enjoying the channel! I used 27mm elements in this video. The size might some impact on the signal, but I think the next size up isn’t actually much bigger. Could also consider putting more than one connected in series (in theory) to get a bigger signal 👍

[@mikethomas9544]

@@MechanicMindset I thought about putting 2 in series as well just to see what sort of signal it would put out, also I've been looking for the largest piezoelectric I can find as I beleive a larger surface area should make it more sensitive. Cheers 🇦🇺

[@MechanicMindset]

@@mikethomas9544 I was thinking the same, never got round to trying. Let me know how you get on. Lived in Australia for a bit, great country! We were in Austinmer by Wollongong 👍

[@mikethomas9544]

@@MechanicMindset Know the place, north side. Should come back to the Sunshine lol. Looking at "Element 14" which use to be "Farnells" the opposition to "RS Components" They sell a "Multicomp MCFT-32G-2.4AS-133 Piezo Element" with an OD of 32mm and the crystal area is 30mm so a nice large size. Have a look at that. Cheers

[@MechanicMindset]

@@mikethomas9544 That will do it. The ones I used in the DIY are 27mm 👍

[@masongray9046]

Love you video can you use that piezo sensor on common rail diesel

[@MechanicMindset]

Yes, you can use it for Diesel engines too. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@masongray9046]

@@MechanicMindset I was wondering can you attach the piezo disk it self to an injector line an see injector

[@MechanicMindset]

@@masongray9046 I am yet to play with that but I have heard the same is true. Even a knock sensor placed on the HP fuel line might show it!👍

[@AutoDiag_]

Have you used it more? How its proving itself? Worth to make one like this or buy ditex for example.

[@MechanicMindset]

Hi, I haven't really used it much, but I don't think it would last long if it was using it every day. Some guys on FaceBook 3D printing them and selling for a fair price. Check our M.A. Diagnostics - he sent me one and I'm yet to try it out

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Isn’t the metal part face towards hose input . Going to make one but seen others put it the other way

[@MechanicMindset]

I didn’t try the other way. I just positioned it so the pulses hit the piezo element 👍

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@MechanicMindset I see it worked but Iam trying to make sure which is most accurate. The other videos show the metal side so I don’t know which way to put it . And me being me I gotta know 🤣👍🏻

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

The Cat ! 😳🤣🤣😂

[@MechanicMindset]

Scared me 😂💩

[@pl5882]

I’ve got a housing I designed for a 27mm piezo for this exact purpose. It’s on Thingiverse #4351397. I even designed different sized barbs to fit it. So if you have a 3D printer then all you need is the peizo and a female bnc. 🤙🏻 Good vid!

[@MechanicMindset]

November 248 Just checked that out, awesome job! Thanks for watching 👍

[@chrisreynolds5694]

Building two this week based on your Thingverse file.

[@alrifainidal]

my friend >>> my homemade in cylinder pressure transducer got noise the pixel is really bad do you know what to fix this issue

[@MechanicMindset]

Oh dear! Have you tried replicating the settings I use in this video? Are you testing intake or exhaust? I tested by the exhaust in this video away from any sources of interference

[@alrifainidal]

@@MechanicMindset i will use the same settings as yours . thanks for ur replay

[@pigeonsil240sx]

what if you put a screwdriver in the hose and touched the screwdriver against pullys to pinpoint a failing pulley or devise under the hood this may work to pinpoint and isolate that noise

[@MechanicMindset]

Yes! Or even better, glue the piezo element to the end of the screw driver 👍

[@pigeonsil240sx]

@@MechanicMindset so the piezo would be on the handle of the long screwdriver and use the tip of the screwdrive and touch it against each pully while the piezo is connected to oscillioscope then look for a huge waveform diffrence between each pully as the louder the pully the more vibration the more appearent it will be shown on the scope correct?If this works as good as theory this could have HUGE potential.you could use it for njectors and all sorts of things.LOVE THIS!!! thank you!

[@pigeonsil240sx]

@@MechanicMindset also maybe you can help,im in the market for oscillipscope but im a diy guy who needs a cheap solution for a tool.im looking at handheld oscillioscopes and found two I like and wondering if they will suffice for most diagnostics especially signal wires from sensors. the first one is hantek models Hantek hendheld oscillioscope models 2D42/2D72/2C72/2C42 im looking at the 2c42 or 2d72 the other is on ebaY if you type "handheld oscillioscope ET120M" please let me know if these would suffice for someone new to oscillioscopes for autmotive basics thank you for your time.

[@MechanicMindset]

@@pigeonsil240sx Sure, one of the Hantek would be better as it has 2 channels. Both are 8 bit so measuring ignition waveforms won’t be the best, but it will do CAN bus and other digital signals no problem. If you want hand held and can afford more, the MicSig ATO1104 - it’s 12 bit for those ignition waveforms and has 4 channels!

[@MechanicMindset]

@@pigeonsil240sx Yes to all of that! 👍

[@BryanByTheSea]

Oh...Oh..what happened to the kitty..

[@MechanicMindset]

BryanByTheSea 😂 She freaked me out! It was chucking it down, just wanted to get inside 👍

[@silver6gen1]

thats fucking cool

[@MechanicMindset]

I like this too!!

[@gcmd5852]

I scavenged a piezo from an old smoke detector to make my first one. Feed your cat Darren lol.

[@MechanicMindset]

Yeah they’re everywhere piezo, very resourceful! Haha, I didn’t know what it was when the cat came, freaked me out 😂

[@gcmd5852]

Mechanic Mindset Haha the cat was trying to photo (or I guess it would video) bomb your video 😂😂😂

[@MechanicMindset]

@@gcmd5852 Haha, yep, she photo bombs all my online meetings now!

[@alanw5879]

Do you think an op amp would help get a better higher reading?

[@MechanicMindset]

Alan W Sorry, what do you mean by op amp?

[@alanw5879]

@@MechanicMindset an operation amplifier, like the LM324 to amplify the signal.

[@benrich6376]

An 'active' op amp based circuit would amplify it sure. But is there a need? The exhaust pulse shown is around 40 millivolts peak-to-peak, and the scope looks happy enough showing that. I guess if your had a less sensitive scope maybe? Obviously with more than one sensor and maths channels you can do useful stuff to add up /subtract etc different signals. Various Op amp configurations would allow you to do this in hardware for a less clever scope too I guess. Just thinking aloud here. :)

[@MechanicMindset]

Yes agreed, I think the signal is sufficient. The other thing we could try is to put 2 (or more) piezo sensors in the cup and connect in series. Again, just a theory; it did play with them in series in the bench and the signal amplitude was a bit higher 👍

[@hsubdarb]

It's the design that causes the low signal. This setup creates equal pressure on both sides of the piezo. A setup with the vacuum/pressure just on one side is significantly more sensitive. So much so that I had to use a valve to lower the strength.