BMW ‘R Series Hall effect sensor
tester
In 1980, BMW
finally abandoned contact breakers or points as the means of triggering the
ignition circuits on the ‘R’ series boxer twins. Instead they adopted an
ignition system using a Hall Effect Vane Sensor to trigger an ignition module
and provide switching for the coil current.
In some
ways, the system was really a ‘half way house’ in ignition technology since it
retained the mechanical advance mechanism used by earlier points operated
systems. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that in 1980, electronically
controlled advance systems were unusual and tended to be unreliable.
Although BMW
hailed the ‘new’ ignition system as a great breakthrough, it was actually
fairly common and BMW just bought an ‘off the peg’ ignition solution from
Bosch. The same, or a very similar, system was used in many contemporary cars
from Jaguars to Volkswagens.
While the
electronic ignition system fitted by BMW is extremely reliable, like anything
else, it can go wrong. Perhaps the most daunting thing about this is that, at
first sight, it can be extremely difficult to decide which part of the circuit
has failed. The most difficult part to diagnose is the Hall Effect Vane Sensor.
The purpose
of this article is to discuss the design of a simple tester that will give a
very quick ‘Go/No go’ test for the Hall Effect Vane Sensor. The device also has
a secondary purpose in that it can be used as a substitute for the traditional
timing lamp to make the initial setting up of the timing simple when replacing
the trigger housing (bean can) on the engine if it has to be removed.
Disclaimers & Etc. Hall Effect Vane Sensor Tester Use