The Automotive Blog

DVSA Recommend 4 Brake Tests Per Year!!

Document :Guide to maintaining road worthiness
Commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles (Revised 2014)

Section 5: Safety inspection and repair facilities

Extract –
“Therefore it is normally expected that the vehicle or trailer should complete at least three successful brake efficiency tests spread throughout year in addition to the annual MOT test.”

BrakeCheck is a portable brake tester that works from the principle of measuring deceleration or Brake Efficiency, BrakeCheck has been proved to be a good indication of brake performance and cost effective for any workshop. Over 15,000 BrakeCheck’s have been purchased since it’s introduction in January 2003, and is now a standard tool for any vehicle workshop.

In addition to BrakeCheck Standard which is marketed towards Car, Van Truck and Bus / Coaches, BrakeCheck For Truck &Trailers is ideal for trailer operating companies.

aide automotive also recommend the use of an Infra Red Thermometer to check individual wheels via temperature. This in conjunction with a decelerometer print out would be the perfect 3 times a year brake test for any commercial vehicle.

To discuss how BrakeCheck or the Brake Testing Equipment works or to review pricing please call us on 0115 8456471.

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

Bulk Freight Purchase Trailer Diagnostics.

Since it’s formation in 1987, Bulkfreight (Midlands) Ltd has maintained it’s ethos of putting the customers requirements first.

Operating a fleet of over 100 articulated vehicles, which are changed every three years. This ensures we operate a “Green Fleet” that meets the current exhaust emission regulations. Our trailer fleet comprises of, Walking Floors, Ejectors & Bulk Tippers.

To meet the maintenance required for the fleet, workshop manager invested in the TrailerCheck 4 Vans, trailer light, Air Brake and ISO tester.

Designed as a mounted trailer tester in a Van or workshop the TrailerCheck 4 Vans is a One Man Trailer Service tool with the option of ECU Trailer Diagnostics.

The Trailer Air Brake And Light Tester is an intelligent unit and has the capability to power multiple trailers without the inconvenience of continually recharging external batteries.

A single trailer service engineer can be under a trailer activating brakes and reading pressures.

Switching brakes on and off allows the user to look for wear in s cams and faulty slack adjusters. The digital pressure gauge measures pressure at the brake chamber, ideal for setting load sensing valves.

EBS Trailers can be tested for CAN line integrity, a quick and simple test to confirm the CAN lines.

Neil Mitchell said “Modern times require a modern approach, the quick and correct maintenance of trailers is as critical as trucks, having the latest up to date test tools is what I believe will make our maintenance routines efficient and to a high standard. Looking at the old Scrutineer and the TrailerCheck 4 Vans, I chose the later due to its modern design and latest electronics. Furthermore I have the option to add full trailer code diagnostics when I see fit.”

 

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 to talk about Diagnostics.

Trailer Diagnostics for East Midlands Bulk Freight Company

More & More Commercial Vehicle Operators Purchase BrakeCheck To Complete Their Inspection Sheets.

Roger Jackson of Ensign Bus said “We have now purchased Bowmonk BrakeCheck for all our depots and find it a valuable addition to our workshops. To have the ability to carryout positive testing and to record actual results on an inspection sheet is very beneficial.”

Decelerometers have moved on significantly from the old mechanical brake testers such as Tapley Decelerometer. Being electronic there is a much higher accuracy and additional information such as average deceleration, a left/right pull measurement, speed at braking and stopping distance. All tests are time and date stamped.

BrakeCheck has been proven to be an excellent inspection sheet Bowmonk brake tester for all commercial vehicles, over 14000 testers sold since 2002. With many operators using the BrakeCheck to conduct a VOSA accepted brake test on every inspection.

BrakeCheck Truck & Trailer will brake test tractor units, rigid trucks and also incorporates a 99 test memory on the service, hand and trailer brake test, a total of 297 tests. The trailer brake test feature enables repairers and internal maintenance workshops to conduct an inspection sheet brake test of a commercial trailer.

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

Improve Trailer Maintenance With the Unbeatable Code Talk

Code Talk is the next generation of trailer diagnostic tools from aide automotive ltd. Code Talk is an ideal cost effective diagnostic tool to quickly read and clear codes on EBS/ ABS braking system.

The hand set will communicate with a trailer’s ECU, reading and clearing ABS/EBS fault codes on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems. With this workshops can 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 that faults the ECU has recorded is beneficial.

With NO annual software fee the Code Talk is by far the best Trailer Diagnostic Tool on the UK market. Upgrade able for future proofing the Code Talk will out last and beat any Texa or JalTest system.

Code Talk Diagnostic is an aftermarket engineer diagnostic tool, Code Talk has been designed by UK trailer maintenance engineers for engineers. Simple to use and operate, Code Talk makes trailer diagnostic maintenance an affordable option to any repairer.

Remember Code Talk is all that is needed. No requirement for code manuals, phoning dealers, phoning high rate telephone lines, all the information is within Code Talk – Code Talk is the Diagnostic Manual for Trailers!

Code Talk is supplied with all cables to communicate with trailer ECU’s and with an optional carry case. Code Talk is also a remote controller for the TrailerCheck product range. TrailerCheck is the full electrical testing tool for 24 volt trailers.

Code Talk Remote for TrailerCheck also offers voltage and wire pin and colour information on the display. Trailer repairing Easy!

Matt Burke advised ” This excellent product is ideal for a trailer service engineer, low cost diagnostics and with no annual software fee this device will improve maintenance and work.”

Contact aide automotive by clicking Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics

Trailer Diagnostics With Code Talk a ECU Code Reader

aide automotive knows that workshops requires fast, accurate and effective tools to diagnose faults easily and quickly. A high percentage of brake EBS/ABS faults are around the sensor or the sensor itself.

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.

The Master is the ideal tool for any user, from an apprentice to a time served fitter, or a busy workshop. Quickly identifying and clearing the fault can save time and money, rather than calling in a dealer or diagnostic expert.

Using the Sensor Tester to check a sensor, the gap and exciter ring Royal Mail found they were able to easily and cost effectively repair warning lights faults on trucks and trailers without the need for expensive diagnostics tools or dealer trips.

aide automotives sales director said “The ABS Sensor Master has been an excellent product for cost effective ABS repairs of trucks and trailers for many years, I recall customer comments of this ABS test tool saving thousands in dealer fees and quick repairs with the vehicle quickly back on the road.”

To purchase a ABS Sensor Master please call 0115 8456471.

Sensor Tester for ABS or EBS

TrailerCheck’s Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics Concudes with the Addtion of WABCO EBS

aide automotive are pleased to confirm the addition of Wabco EBS to our excellent Commercial Trailer Diagnostic Tester TrailerCheck & Code Talk.

TrailerCheck’s ECU diagnostics Reader has now the option of reading and clearing codes on the following systems: Haldex, Wabco & Knor Bremse Anti Lock Braking Systems and Haldex, Wabco & Knor Bremse Electronic Braking Systems.

Matthew Burke aide automotives Director stated “We have marketed the TrailerCheck for many years, first when we introduced the portable trailer light tester and with years of development added the excellent Code Talk Remote controller for the TrailerCheck & diagnostics code reader / clearer. This product has further developed with a Van version as the ultimate one man trailer service tool. We recently supplied Chatfields Depots with the Van version and with their knowledge to see an investment in latest technology workshop tools, proves to us we have a excellent product and the need to focus on further development of all our products to meet today’s technology.”

You can read more about the Chatfields purchase within the Email Subject “Chatfields Invest in TrailerCheck“.

If you would like to discuss the specifaction of the TrailerCheck product range please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on aide automoitve ltd.

Trailer Light Tester to test lights and air brakes on a commercial trailer

aide automotive have introduced a new tester to the product range, ISOCheck Lite.

Following the excellent success of the ISOCheck a new Lite version is available.

The ISOCheck Lite is a test box to test the Trucks ISO socket for pin faults.

Simple to use and with an excellent clear use guide this test box will quickly identify which pin has a fault.

This box makes testing an ISO socket simple and quick!

Simply plug the Susie lead into the test box, turn the truck ignition on, review the light sequence on the ISOCheck and then refer to the user guide to identify which pin is at fault.

The ISOCheck Lite is an excellent test tool for checking the truck ISO sockets on Periodic Maintenance Inspections (PMI’s).

Click on ISO Truck Tester to Get a Quote.

ISO Socket Testers

KNOW YOUR DIFFERENT ABS FLASH CODES FOR DIFFERENT MAKES OF SYSTEM

There are always two, possibly three, ways to power up the ABS system and you should know what to expect regarding light function. If an ABS/EBS cable is fitted then the GREEN headboard monitor lamp should be ignored and only look at the in-cab RED dashboard light. (The trailer light may not work at all with the ISO7638 connected)

STATIONARY TRAILER HEAD BOARD LAMP FUNCTION WHEN POWERED ONLY BY 24N STOP LIGHTS (REMOVE ALL OTHER CABLES)

The in-cab dashboard warning light will only work when the ABS Susie (ISO7638) or, in some cases, the 24S is connected. The lamp sequence will mimic the trailer headboard warning lamp when the ignition is turned on (NOTE: NO NEED TO PRESS FOOT BRAKE PEDAL)

** The first time after fitting a new ECU, this sequence is different until the vehicle has been driven above 30kph and the brought to a halt for dynamic sensor check. After this it should function as shown in table.

·         24Normal – ISO 1185

·         24 Supplementary – ISO3731

·         ABS/EBS – ISO7638

aide automotive ltd offer trailer light testers and ABS / EBS sensor testers for truck and trailer diagnostic repairs.

aide automotive have recently supplied all Chatfields truck locations with trailer test and diagnostics testers, Chatfields are a franchised truck repairer & distributor for DAF, Renault Truck, Hino & Iveco, predominantly across the North of England.

TrailerCheck is an intelligent trailer tester and diagnostic code reader / clearer for all makes of commercial trailers.

Wayne Edwards, the Chatfields National Franchise Director, commented “as part of the Chatfields’ one stop shop philosophy and following requests from customers, we decided to invest in the latest diagnostic and test equipment for trailers, with this we decided to invest in TrailerCheck from aide automotive ltd. This investment enables us to offer trailer maintenance service and repairs across all depots; this service also includes curtain repairs & bodywork.

aide automotive assessed the type of work our service would undertake and offered advice on the correct model type. Technical support was also part of the decision to invest in TrailerCheck, which included on-site training as part of the package. TrailerCheck has proved to be invaluable in the first few months of use in each depot, with customers feedback on the improved speed and accuracy of diagnostic repairs compared with their previous suppliers, which in turn saves our customers time and money.”

TrailerCheck is available is portable test boxes or van / workshop installed units. Remote Code Talk also covers reading and clearing of fault codes within the trailers ECU. Furthermore TrailerCheck 4 Vans  / Workshop also incorporates air test gauges enabling a total one man maintenance tool for trailers.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 for further details.

aide automotive can report on a Rear Truck Brake Fault Solution!
DAF & Scania trucks fitted with Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) could have the same fault but for different reasons. The fault occurs after the vehicle has been driven for a few miles, when the rear brakes slowly start to apply by themselves and in some cases the brakes are on so much that the vehicle is un-drivable.
There are two reasons this fault can appear, the first one is quite simple. On the rear of the vehicle there is a EBS modulator valve which controls the brake pressure to the rear brakes, one of these pipes connected to this valve is from the redundancy valve. This is a saftey back up for the brakes, if in event the EBS fails the truck is left with some brakes to stop the vehicle.

If the redundancy valve starts to leak the air pressure can build up in the pipe connected to the rear modulator valve and start to apply the rear brakes, at the same time the EBS system which constantly monitors the brake pressure when you press the brake pedal sees that there is pressure in the modulator but knows the driver dosnt have his/her fott on the brake so assumes the rear modulator is faulty and puts the EBS warning light on in the cab.

This means there is two faults being caused by the one leaking valve, the EBS causedlight on and the rear brakes applying. The easiest way to identify this fault is by removing the pipe which comes from the redunacy valve when the brakes are on, you will hear the aire pressure being released from the pipe and hear the brake come off.

The Second reason this same fault can appear is a faulty foot brake valve. On a EB System when you press the foot brake on, the foot brake valve not only supplies air pressure to the rear modulator and applies the brakes, it also sends a CAN signal to the rear modulator to apply the brakes. The CAN signal is basically an electronic signal telling the rear modulator to apply the brakes. Inside the foot brake valveare switches which knowhow far you have pressed the pedal down, if these switch’s work incorrectly they can think you have pressed the pedal down when you havent and tell the rear modulator to apply the brakes.
The easiest way to see if the fott brake valve is causing the fault is by removing the electrical connection from the foot brake when the fault appearsand you will hear the brakes release. In both cases the rear brakes usually only apply a small amount but in both cases the EBS light will come on.

aide automotive offer products to test ABS or EBS Sensors or offer brake testers for inspection sheet brake testing.

Trailer testers are available in portable format of wrokshop / van monuted testers.