NVH Analyzer (Vetronix)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The MTS 4000 and the MTS 4100 NVH analyzers are tools to aid in the identification and isolation of a noise, vibration or harshness concern in a vehicle. They measures noise and vibration data and compare it with data obtained from the vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) in order to provide possible sources. The MTS 4000 and the 4100 have the following characteristics:

Interfaces with the vehicle's computer system
Support and store vibration data input from 1 or 2 accelerometers
Support and store noise data input from 2 microphones
Provide a photo-tachometer for operation of the driveshaft balancing function
Provide a strobe output capable of driving a standard timing light
Contain a real time clock circuit that provides time and date information which is used for tagging test data
Have the capability to print to an external printer and interface with a PC
Can be powered from a variety of power sources: cigarette lighter, AC power or the internal battery pack

The MTS 4000 and the 4100 NVH analyzers have 4 main operating modes. The first is for vibration diagnosis. This mode measures data from 1 or 2 accelerometers simultaneously while obtaining data from the vehicle's computer system about the operation of the vehicle. Then it does a frequency analysis on the accelerometer information and compares the vibration frequencies with the frequencies associated with various rotating components within the vehicle. The data can be presented in 4 different display modes: principle component, bar table, frequency spectrum or waterfall. All display mode formats contain the same common elements, such as amplitude.

The second is for noise diagnosis. This mode measures noise from 1 or 2 microphones simultaneously. All noise measurements are in db's. All frequency bands used for noise measurements are the same as for the vibration measurements, up to 1000 Hz.

The third is driveshaft balancing. Driveshaft balancing is done using 1 or 2 accelerometers and a photo-tachometer. The accelerometers measure the vibrations at both ends of the driveshaft, while the photo-tachometer measures the rotation speed and position reference.

The fourth mode is the strobe. A strobe or standard timing light can be connected to an analyzer, to provide a means for measuring rotational speed. The strobe function is used for isolating the source of a vibration.