The Automotive Blog

MV Trucks in Aylesford Kent recently purchased a TrailerCheck 4 Vans for one there mobile fitter vans.

TrailerCheck is an ideal cost effective test gauge to quickly determine the electrical integrity of an EBS/ABS braking system and a full lighting check 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 trailers fault. Additionally when servicing or prepping trailers there maybe no space to hook a tractor unit up, as TrailerCheck is portable testing in tightly parked yards can be achieved. TrailerCheck is easily used on site by a mobile commercial repairer or used on a multi service lane workshop. TrailerCheck is built into a rugged carrying case, portable and powered by batteries that can be re charged by mains power or via a cigarette lighter within a service van.

MV Trucks David Henniker Stated ” In this day and age buying specilist equipment is a big commitment for companys, however when we realised that we needed this specilist trailer checking equipment we decided to look around for the best application. Having finalised the deal with aide automotive we were not diaspointed, it was delivered quickly and fitted easily in our van, its easy to use with a full set of instructions, we take the workshop to the trailer what could be more simple.”

Contact aide automotive for info on the TrailerCheck Trailer Light Tester with Diagnostics.

Europart of Denmark have now been appointed distributors for Denamrk of the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester.

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.

All 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.

Europart have ordered over 100 testers since September with an excellet response from customers.

To review the ABS Tester, click on Sensor Tester ABS.

aide automotive sell and marekt the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester in the UK.

Sensor Tester for ABS or EBS

TrailerCheck 4 Vans is an ideal cost effective trailer diagnostic tester and service tool.

Designed to be installed in a van or workshop, the TrailerCheck 4 Vans will power, test air brakes and read / clear the ECU of a commercial trailer.

An intelligent unit, the TrailerCheck 4 Vans pulses the lighting circuits to conserve battery power and will not burn out short circuits. Powered on for 2 seconds and then off for 1, TrailerCheck has the capability to power multiple trailers without the inconvenience of continually recharging batteries. In diagnostic mode a single circuit can be powered for fault finding, TrailerCheck is also protected against short circuits, if so the micro processor will keep resetting with a back up fuse as protection.
Two air test gauges are incorporated within the TrailerCheck with a hand held remote brake activator and digital pressure gauge, one operator 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, activating the brakes while under the trailer operators are able to see all components working to identify faults and wear. 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 are OK or at fault.

TrailerCheck 4 Vans is priced at £1,495.00, with the option to add the Remote Controller and Diagnostic Code Reader for an extra £900.00. All plus VAT.

aide automotive are the main dealers for the Trailer Light Tester TrailerCheck.

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

Using the Sensor Tester to check a sensor, the gap and exciter ring  a truck or trailer fitter will easily and cost effectively repair warning lights faults on trucks and trailers without the need for expensive diagnostics tools or dealer trips.

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.

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!

Contact aide automotive to purchase a EBS/ABS Sensor Tester for a Truck Or Trailer Workshop.

Truck Trailer ABS Sensor Tester

The Trailer ABS Tester 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 Trailer ABS Tester also tests the exciter ring and the distance between the ring and sensor.

“The order arrived as promised. We have tried out the sensor tester and it is an impressive piece of kit. Many thanks for your prompt service.”

Neil Robinson, Tyson Haulage.

The Trailer ABS Tester 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.

aide automotive have sold over 500 Trailer ABS Testers and are the only supplier in the UK.

The SMMT is calling on the DFT to clear confusion over trailer brake testing.  Some trailer makers believe it should be possible to test and type approve a brake system on one trailer and then for other trailer makers, using the same kit to use the same approval from the Vehicle Certification Agency.  The purpose being to save the cost of a test for each trailer type.  “This collaborative approach to brakes system testing is not permitted under UNECE Regulation 13 that sets out the requirements for the type approval of trailer braking,” says Allan McKenzie, senior technical manager for the Society.  “If a trailer from one maker uses the same running gear and braking system as another, there is no guarantee that it will get the required braking performance without locking its wheels and as a result, failing the test.  The outcome of the test depends on the installation of the components and the build quality of the chassis.”  McKenzie believes the DfT should clear the confusion before trailer makers waste time, effort and money.

Another option to test trailer brakes is the BrakeCheck TT (Truck & Trailer).

This brake tester is not for manufacturers type approval but for a brake test on a 6 weekly maintenance inspection.

Contact aide automotive to enquire further.

Since the TrailerCheck was introduced in 2007, aide automotive has seen a steady increase in sales but 2011 has become the boom year!

Matthew Burke stated “TrailerCheck was introduced to help trailer repairer’s service and pre-test trailers for MOT, using a tool such as TrailerCheck is a professional method to test multiple trailer lights and the ABS warning light without the need for a tractor unit. In the early days repairers would use a couple of batteries to power a trailer and soon find they had flat batteries or even damaged a circuit by adding full power, as TrailerCheck is a micro-processor controlled test tool, with this many trailers can be powered and checked without the need for recharging. Self-contained the TrailerCheck is portable and easily carried to trailers in restricted areas.
But in 2011 we have seen the need for trailer repairers to improve test tools to check a trailer and also read and clear fault codes from the ECU. TrailerCheck will soon read Knorr Bremse EBS and Wabco hopefully by the end of the year.
We have sold over 20 TrailerCheck’s since the start of the year, this easily beats sales for 2007 to 2009!
And we see the future tool as the TrailerCheck 4 Vans; this one incorporates two air test gauges and a remote brake activator for one man trailer maintenance and service.”

With other workshop test tools such as the ISOCheck and EBS/ABS Sensor Tester aide automotive offer an excellent range of truck & trailer repair tools.

Contact aide automotive for prices or more information.

ABS Tester Acquires Royalty

Following a trial purchase Royal Mail have since purchased 29 EBS/ABS Sensor Testers for use within each workshop.

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.

All 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.

Contact aide automotive ltd for further information on ABS Testing for Truck & Trailer.

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.