The Automotive Blog

Truck and Trailer Diagnostics are a crucial element in maintaining vehicles especially as the engines and electrics become increasingly sophisticated. Why do workshops  refer vehicles to main dealers for fault code reading when they can do it themselves?? Having a device that can do this will cut down unecessary costs and vehicle downtime!

By a small investment in a simple diagnostic tool, you can diagnose the fault code yourself and take away the middle man. Diagnosing the fault quickly and rectifying the problem!

Contact aide automotive to find out more on truck diagnostics or visit the aide automotive website for a full range of their automotive products.

With the big freeze forecast to continue into January it is essential to check EBS/ABS braking systems are in full working order with diagnostic tools!

TrailerCheck II is the next generation of trailer diagnostic tools by quickly determining the electrical integrity of an EBS/ ABS braking system on a commercial trailer. Using a tractor unit to carry out a trailer test is not as effective as the TrailerCheck as the tractor unit is not guaranteed to be a 100% working unit. TrailerCheck eliminates the indecision and confirms the trailer’s fault.

aide automotive supplies a number of automotive products for commercial businesses.  Matthew Burke the business owner says

TrailerCheck has been a popular product of ours for a number of years.  We introduced this new version of this product earlier this year and it’s already proving to be a best seller for us.  This newer version  includes a radio remote hand set for walk round activation of the lighting system. The hand set will communicate with a trailer’s ECU, reading and clearing ABS fault codes on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems.  TrailerCheck II helps eliminate fault finding by reading the ECU codes to determine where the fault lies. Being able to clear historic codes is ideal within a service and inspection, knowing a system is clear and then reviewing to see what faults the ECU has recorded is beneficial

TrailerCheck II, a cost effective trailer diagnostic tool

As electronic systems become a given on commercial vehicles, and modern trucks become far more sophisticated so does the development of diagnostic tools for trucks. These new diagnostic tools need to be capable of reliable inspection and troubleshooting for trucks.

The ECUs which manage the engine, transmission, braking systems, safety and security systems, are computers that are connected to external peripherals, sensors and actuators. Safe and reliable ECU operation is ensured by effective communication to and from these peripherals.

Vehicle systems and dash information systems are designed to warn the driver of possible problems with any of the ECU monitored systems.

aide automotive offer state of the art diagnostic equipment which enables the easy interaction with these sophisticated systems that exist in every vehicle today. So whatever the make and model of your truck or van, we have the diagnostic tool to diagnose the problem.

Examples of when diagnostic equipment is required on vehicles:

• ABS/EBS systems
• Diesel/engine management
•  Electronic clutch calibration
• Immobiliser
• Engine adjustments
• Body/cab systems
• Dash and instruments
• Air conditioning & climate control
• Auto gearbox
• Safety restraint systems (SRS) and airbags
• Error deletion stored in ECU and service interval reset

aide automotive offers a PC based diagnostic kit, with diagnostic software for installation on either a personal or supplied PC, all truck and trailer cables are supplied in a protective case. aide automotive also offer a cost reduction by offering individual cables rather than the full kit, e.g. if your fleet only have DAF trucks then the DAF cable can be supplied singularly, this could save the user around 800 pounds from the full cable kit!

Like any diagnostic tool software updates are critical in communicating with latest trucks and trailer systems, the aide automotive Truck Diagnostic Kit is supplied with an annual update and an annual subscription.

aide automotive’s Truck Diagnostic Kit is ideal for in house workshops and commercial repairers to apply a diagnostic test and service to most trucks and trailers, cost effective against well known Texa systems, finance can be offered on purchasing the equipment to show a simple equation on a money return business service.

Contact aide automotive if you require an on site demonstration.

ABS Warning lights, what do they mean?

This may be a common question from drivers but do we all really know the answer?

Well lets make it simple! There are only three main light sequences that you really need to be concerned with, they are;

1. ON/OFF – At standstill

2. ON – Until the vehicle is driven above 7 kph then OFF

3. ON/OFF/ON – Until the vehicle is driven above 7 kph

With the introduction of programmable warning lights in EBS systems it has become a bit harder to know what a drivers dashboard should be doing but with a couple of simple tests the answer is there. If the truck and trailer are both ABS sockets, start by just connecting the trailer and turn on the ignition, the trailer warning light in the cab should come on, if the light goes ON/OFF then this is the sequence, if the light goes ON/OFF/ON, then this is the sequence, if the light is ON and stays on then drive the truck and trailer above 7kph, if the light goes OFF then this is your sequence. However please note if the light stays ON after a test drive then there is a fault in the system which requires maintenance before the truck and trailer can be utilised.

So how can we decide if the fault lies with a truck or trailer?

Also to make matters worse newer trucks now have an LCD or electronic dashboard, so we need to establish which light is actually for the trailer. With each manufacturer having individual lights it can be quite confusing.

So this is where the ISOCheck can be used, the ISOCheck is not only used to test the power from the truck but can be used to show you the warning light function of your trailer.

 First plug the ISOCheck Indicator into the trucks ABS Socket, turn on the ignition, this will test all power form the truck, and if all is OK the ISOCheck will light up GREEN, if there is a fault RED. Once the truck is proven to be OK, turn the ISOCheck around and connect the ISOCheck Indicator into the trailers ASB Socket and the normal end into the truck, ignition on and the warning light in the cab should come on and the ISOCheck Indicator will turn RED as the warning light is ON. If the warning light in the cab then goes out, then the ISOCheck will turn to GREEN. If this happens it not only proves again that the truck power is OK but also it proves the trailers ABS is working.

 The next step is to test drive the trailer above 7 kph, if the warning light comes on while starting to move then the ISOCheck will turn RED. Stop the truck and trailer and remove the ISOCheck indicator from the ABS Socket on the trailer, if the ISOCheck stays RED then the fault is on the truck, if it turns GREEN then the fault is on the trailer. The ISOCheck is as simple as that! Ideal for workshop fitters and drivers the ISOCheck pinpoints faults with the truck or trailer even when mismatching old trucks with new trailers and vice a versa, saving time and money by directing the repairer to the correct area.

Read more by clicking ISOCheck

aide automotive offer a range of workshop products, click on aide automotive for our website.

TrailerCheck is fast becoming a popular test kit for commercial workshops around the UK.

Matthew Burke of aide automotive stated “We see new enquiries every day for this product and increasing numbers, workshops seem to be looking to improve on test equipment and to keep on top of vehicle maintenance as a proactive approach rather than a have to approach. A forgotten diagsnostic cover is commercial trailers, with trucks being scanned for faults codes on servicing workshops  are now seeing the benefit of reading trailer ABS and EBS codes. TrailerCheck II With Code Reader is the ideal cost effective diagnostic tool for trailers that is simple to use and rugged for any workshop.”

aide automotive market the TrailerCheck with Diagnostic Code Reader, visit http://www.aideautomotive.com for further info. 

Diagnostic Code Reader for ABS and EBS ECU Fault Reading

Trailer Check will soon have the ability to read Electronic Brake Systems.  Coming soon from aide automotive this new version of TrailerCheck will not only look at ABS diagnostics but also consider EBS diagnostics too.

Trailer Check is already a popular product and an ideal cost effective test gauge to quickly determine the electrical integrity of a braking system.  This new version just takes it a step further to ensure that the EBS codec reader is working correctly too.

Check out the aide automotive website later this year for the new version or visit it to find out more about all the other automotive products that we supply

The EBS/ABS Sensor Master is the ideal workshop tool for detecting and clearing EBS or ABS Faults.

Since the start of 2010 aide automotive have seen a major increase in sales, Matthew Burke Stated “This product is simple and cost effective, sometimes you just need to easier tools than the more expensive techincal diagnostic tools. I beleive the increase in sales is down to the products word of mouth and customers looking for more cost effective ways to solve brake faults.”

The ABS Sensor Master is an easy to use device which will confirm each EBS/ABS sensor is operational and effective. By connecting to the sensor socket on each wheel, individual sensor faults can easily be identified. The Master also tests the exciter ring and the distance between the ring and sensor.

Contact aide automotive ltd for further information.

Sensor Master EBS ABS

Just Car Clinics the nationwide car boby shop repairer with over 20 sites has recently invested in the Launch X431.

Supplied by official distributor aide automotive ltd, Matthew Burke stated “Just Car Clinics recently purchased their first diagnostic tool for the Sheffield branch, with an increase in boby repairs due to the icing conditions at the start of the year they also saw a need to clear and reset engine codes in house, with this a reported £3000 was saved by not out sourcing diagnostic work. Since Sheffields purchase further tools have been supplied to Mansfield, Nottingham and Hinckley.”

The X431 covers a large range of vehicle manufacturers around the world, making the X431 an essential tool for the independent automotive expert. The X431 tool package will allow your business to expand by providing ready diagnosis of all types of manufactures, including Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and many more! All in all, the X431 coverage spans over 37 manufacturers and 148 vehicle systems.

The Launch X431 Is the Ideal Diagnostic Tool for any Car Workshop

Ford & Slater the well known midlands DAF dealer, recently purchased 13 ISOCheck Test Leads for use in all depots.

ISOCheck is the ideal first step to check the electrical information that runs between a tractor unit and trailer. Whether the trailer is EBS or ABS the ISOCheck will check all voltages and earths on the ISO 7638 socket, if any pins are the ISO socket are incorrect the ISOCheck will light up RED, if all pins are correct the ISOCheck will light up GREEN.

ISOCheck is the ideal tool to save time and confusion by directing the user to the tractor unit or trailer.

The ISOCheck also checks the trailer and existing suzie, once the tractor unit is tested, turn the ISOCheck around so the indicator plugs into the trailer, again RED equals fault but with the trailer! Two greens and a ABS warning light on in the cab would suggest the existing suzie lead is at fault.

The ISOCheck is ideal for Ford & Slater as they can confirm tractor units are producing the correct information when under service or inspection, a quick and simple test rather than the confusion of using multimeters!

Contact aide automotive ltd for further information.

WH Malcom Group a leading provider of logistics and construction services, employing assets of over 1,600 people, 450 trucks, 1,000 trailers has chosen the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester for many of its workshops.

The EBS/ABS Sensor Master is an easy to use device which will confirm each  EBS/ABS sensor is operational and effective. By connecting to the sensor socket on each wheel, individual sensor faults can easily be identified. The Master also tests the exciter ring and the distance between the ring and sensor.

Many workshops use a multimeter to tests sensors but with this only a third of the problem is tested, the Sensor Tester will also test the gap and indicate if the Exciter Ring is damaged or mis aligned, a multimeter cannot do that!

aide automotive offer great products and go the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester to read more and download the product PDF.