How to Test a Hall Sensor with a Multimeter (Guide)

Loss of power, loud noise, and the feeling that the engine is locked up in some way are signs that you are either dealing with a dead controller or hall effect crank sensors inside your engine. 

Follow these steps to test the Hall effect sensor with a multimeter.

First, set the DMM to DC voltage (20 volts). Connect the black lead of the multimeter to the black lead of the hall sensor. The red terminal must be connected to the positive red wire of the Hall sensor wire group. You should get a reading of 13 volts on the DMM. Proceed to check the output of other wires.

The Hall sensor is a transducer that generates an output voltage in response to a magnetic field. In this article, you will learn how to test the Hall sensor with a multimeter.    

What happens when Hall sensors fail?

Failure of the Hall sensors means that the controller (the board that powers and controls the motor) does not have the critical information needed to properly synchronize the motor's power. The motor is powered by three wires (phases). The three phases require proper timing or the motor will get stuck, lose power and make an annoying sound.

Do you suspect that your Hall sensors are faulty? You can test with a multimeter by following these three steps.

1. Disconnect and clean the sensor

The first step entails removing the sensor from the cylinder block. Beware of dirt, metal chips and oil. If any of these are present, clear them.

2. Camshaft sensor/crankshaft sensor location

Examine the engine schematic to locate the camshaft sensor or crankshaft position sensor in the electronic control module (ECM) or camshaft sensor. Then touch one end of the jumper wire to the signal wire and the other end to the tip of the positive probe. The negative probe must touch a good chassis ground. Consider using a crocodile clip jumper when connecting the negative test lead to chassis ground - if needed.

3. Reading voltage on a digital multimeter

Then set the digital multimeter to DC voltage (20 volts). Connect the black lead of the multimeter to the black lead of the hall sensor. The red terminal must be connected to the positive red wire of the Hall sensor wire group. You should get a reading of 13 volts on the DMM.

Proceed to check the output of other wires.

Then connect the black wire of the multimeter to the black wire of the wiring harness. The red wire of the multimeter should touch the green wire on the wiring harness. Check if the voltage shows five or more volts. Note that the voltage depends on the input of the circuit and may vary from one device to another. However, it should be greater than zero volts if the Hall sensors are OK.

Slowly move the magnet at right angles to the front of the encoder. Check what's going on. As you get closer to the sensor, the voltage should increase. As you move away, the voltage should decrease. Your crankshaft sensor or its connections are faulty if there is no change in voltage.

Summing up

Hall sensors offer numerous benefits such as much-needed reliability, high speed operation, and pre-programmed electrical outputs and angles. Users also love it because of its ability to operate in various temperature ranges. They are widely used in mobile vehicles, automation equipment, marine handling equipment, agricultural machinery, cutting and rewinding machines, and processing and packaging machines. (1, 2, 3)

Take a look at some of our articles below.

• How to test a capacitor with a multimeter
• How to check the crankshaft position sensor with a multimeter
• How to test a three-wire crankshaft sensor with a multimeter

Recommendations

(1) reliability - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-achieve-reliability-maintenance-excellence-walter-pesenti

(2) temperature ranges - https://pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca/vitalsign/

chapter/what-normal-temperature-ranges/

(3) agricultural machinery - https://www.britannica.com/technology/farm-machinery