The upcoming Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck inspection program, May 16-18, will include a focus on violations involving antilock braking systems (ABS). While ABS violations–indicated by warning lights in the cab or on the trailer–aren’t typically categorized as out-of-service infractions, the technology plays an important role in driver and vehicle safety. Here’s some tips from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems on what to do if you discover an illuminated ABS warning lamp.
The Basics of ABS
Antilock braking systems use wheel speed sensors that indicate to the ABS electronic control unit (ECU) if wheel slip is happening. The ABS system often works with the vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) full-stability system, if equipped, to help prevent a tractor or trailer’s wheels from locking up and causing skids on surfaces like ice, wet roads, or loose gravel. ABS is a proven technology, mandatory on most air-braked commercial vehicles manufactured in North America for more than 20 years. A properly functioning ABS helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle while braking and serves as a foundation for more advanced safety systems like full stability and collision mitigation.
Read more: Bendix Tech Tips: Post-flood inspection and reconditioning for tractor-trailers
“Checking your ABS lamps for proper functioning should be part of your typical pre- and post-trip inspection,” said Ryan Hurley, vehicle systems engineer at Bendix. “It’s important to note, though, that if your ABS warning lamp does come on while you’re driving, it’s not going to affect standard service brake application: Your truck’s service brakes will still work. ABS, ESC, and collision mitigation technologies, however, may not be fully functional. Keep driving to the next safe stop and check out the situation there. While an ABS warning lamp doesn’t require a roadside fix, it’s important–given the other systems on the truck that work with ABS–to get it addressed by a technician as soon as possible.”
ABS Roadside Inspection: What to Expect
Because ABS activates only under specific conditions, it can be difficult for drivers to tell if the system is in good operating condition. That’s why the CVSA focuses its inspections on the yellow or amber malfunction indicator light (MIL). In-cab, they’re easily spotted on the dashboard–they are standard lights and look the same on all vehicles. Trailer ABS malfunction indicator lamps are located on the exterior near the red rear side marker lamp on the driver’s side; converter dollies also need to have the lamp located on the driver’s side. And they need to be clearly identified with the letters “ABS.”
“During a CVSA roadside inspection, the inspector’s going to first check to see whether ABS is required on your vehicle,” Hurley said. “If it is, they’ll ensure the lamps cycle on and off during the diagnostic check. If any of the lamps remain on, they’ll take that as a sign of a malfunction. Again: Not an out-of-service violation, but it is recordable, and you can be ticketed for it, so the best thing to do is address an illuminated lamp as soon as possible.”
Diagnostic Tools for Technicians
Brake manufacturers and OEMs provide diagnostic software designed specifically for the braking or vehicle systems they manufacture or include on their vehicles. The software is key to diagnosing and troubleshooting ABS faults on ABS systems since it provides specific information about what may be wrong with the system, as well as procedures on how to diagnose and repair it.
An example is Bendix ACom PRO Diagnostics Software, Bendix’s PC-based diagnostic tool that supports all of Bendix’s ECUs.
“Some trailers have the ability to provide diagnostic blink codes, which can help technicians who don’t have access to ACom PRO,” said Brian Screeton, Bendix manager of technical training. “To display active diagnostic troubleshooting codes (DTCs), turn on ignition power to the trailer; press and release the brake pedal three times, waiting 1 second between brake pedal applications within the first 15 seconds of turning on the ignition. After a 5-second pause, the ABS electronic control unit will start flashing the active DTCs with the ABS light – for example, two flashes followed by one flash would indicate a fault code of 21. For this, the technician would perform the specified troubleshooting and resolution steps indicated in the appropriate Bendix Service Data Sheet.”
If troubleshooting indicates that the basic ABS components–wheel speed sensors and modulators, for example–are not malfunctioning, then it could be chassis wiring or other complex issues that would require in-depth troubleshooting to get to the root cause.
“Blink codes can be useful for trailer ABS diagnostics, but they are limited,” Screeton said. “Considering the Bendix stability ECUs on trailers now, blink codes will only go so far in helping to diagnose ABS issues and are best supplemented with diagnostic software.”
