advise or help needed to measure hall output, and spewage

[auditude at neta.com]

Hello,

My efi project is pretty much stalled.  Motor is a MC-1 with
MAC11B setup/pieces, efi ecu is LinkPlus, car is an '85 4ksq.

I'm waiting for myself to acquire tools and skills to get information
about the stock ignition system triggers.

This is even for an implementation using the standard, cam-driven
hall sensor output for the sync signal.  Not with my more
complicated and even less likely-to-happen idea to create a circuit
to incorporate both the crank reference signal and the hall sensor.

[That other tangental project seems to entail understanding analog
to TTL signal conditioning (to eliminate "ringing" and other noise,
apparently), and other stuff.  I have no skills or experience in this
area at all, and others have been less than totally responsive to my
questions, which is understandable (although the courtesy of a
reply "at all" to my inquiries, even perhaps telling me to "learn it
myself", or "go screw myself", if that is what the sentiment really
is, is preferable to me than no reply "at all", fellow enthusiasts).  Of
course, none of this is important to anyone else except me, so
what do I expect.]

Anyways...  I'd still like to hear from anyone who might think of
themselves as helpful, that has an understanding of some of these
questions I have.

So, I'm faced with backing off that effort, and need to focus on the
difficult-enough-for-me requirement for me to understand the stock
sensor outputs.  Actually, I would probably need to understand
them even if I was continuing to push for my circuit idea.

I very possibly could be working with incorrect understanding or
assumptions.  This is what I have to do, as far as I know:

I need to understand the output of the hall sensor, relative to crank
location.  Apparently this entails the use of many items that I don't
have possession of or experience with their use.  My current
understanding, from emails and postings, is that the hall sensor
output is normally "high" (at 5 volts?) and "low output" window is 40
degrees wide, and this window is centered (when the distributor is
indexed where it should be) on the flywheel pin location of 62
degrees BTDC.  One specific clarification I would like is whether
this is on the 360 scale of the crank, or is it on the 360 scale of the
distributor itself.  I would imagine that it is the crank, but since I
can't measure jack-sh!t currently, I can't confirm anything.

In order to determine physical TDC accurately, it seems I need a
dial indicator and a suitable mounting base, to make direct contact
with the piston to find where it is located.  I need help here, both
with locating and choosing the correct tool, and with learning to
use it properly.

In order to determine crank position, I also apparently need to
locate and learn to use a degree wheel.  These items apparently
get attached to either a crank pulley or the flywheel, and tell you
how far you are rotating the engine.

In order to measure the output of the hall sensor, I need to possess
and use an oscilloscope.  I can follow directions if I have them.  At
this time, I haven't analyzed which wires to hook up to the meter
(that I don't have).  I need to acquire some different testing leads,
so that I can probe things without cutting into them, I suppose.

I think that's all I need.  It's what I get for trying to do something
myself without any resources.  I'm a bit discouraged, but only
because of the amount of time this is all taking.

I'd love to hear that I'm wrong about how complicated this is, and
that there is either some other way to get the information I need.
For example, it was said that SJM's site had the o-scope
waveforms of the hall sensor.  I didn't find that, I only found the rpm
and timing reference sensors output waveforms.  Does anyone
know where I can find a waveform of a hall sensor output?

I'm trying to come up with a solution for standalone engine
management for a 5 cylinder turbo application, using stock
sensors, for a reasonable price.  That's not even totally accurate.
The solution exists already, I just need to provide some data to the
manufacturer.  I would think this is something that would be a good
thing, but it feels like a party of one.

If anyone has the ability to measure the output of the hall sensor,
and is willing to do so, will you please contact me or post to the
list?  Maybe that's what I should ask?

Or, maybe someone will flame me and/or give me a reality check
on my thought process here.  I have gotten plenty of negative
emails, saying not to bother with efi, or that it won't work, or
whatever other negative opinions that people feel strongly enough
about to send an email to express.

At the moment, I'm at a low point in how excited and enthusiastic I
am for my projects.  This kinda sucks.  But I guess it's only
because I'm trying to do something that I almost can't.  For me, I've
always wanted to "grow" into whatever person has the skills and
knowledge to get something done, whatever it is.  I figure, I have all
my fingers and eyeballs and a brain and all the stuff that the other
people have that know how to do things, so there's no reason that
by determination and effort (and time! a big one) I shouldn't be able
to bring myself up to speed to also know how or have the skill to do
something.

Btw, I have a bunch of beginner electronics books from Radio
Shack.  But what I really need to know is mid-level stuff, without
knowing the whole damn history of the transistor, if you know what
I mean.  I mean it helps, but only so very little.

It's just all taking so much freaking time...

Thanks for reading.

Later,

Ken

'88 5kcstq, 1.8bar, euros, 150a alt., new clutch and tranny laying
on ground, "new" to me sport interior and Fuchs laying around the
garage, cracked windshield, "new" rack *installed*, other crap
'85 4ksq, "t" project, MC-1 motor on stand, h1/h4 eurolites in
boxes, Jamex strut brace, 17" wheels/tires, KH intake/TB, fuel rail,
2B tie rod, 2-piece EM, 200t flywheel/clutch, 20v head and a bunch
of other stuff just laying around... wtf?!
'94 SL2, some mods, driven
'87 5kt parts