The Automotive Blog

At the aide automotive website, we have a page dedicated to COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WORKSHOP DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS
Commercial #Vehicle #Workshop Products for An Efficient & Effective #Repair #Garage
Visit our dedicated website page for Commercial #Vehicle HGV #Workshop Products
Trailer Diagnostic ECU Code Reader & Clearer
HGV Trailer Electrical / Light Tester
ISOCheck EBS Brake Tester
EBS / ABS Sensor Tester
All products enable a one man quick mobile or workshop trailer service & diagnostics test!!

Contact aide automotive 0115 8456471 Our product range – #Brake#Testers – #Trailer Testers – #EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – #Diagnostic Tools – #Midtronics#Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto #Braking Reversing System – #HGV#Diesel Tank #Alarms – Plus More

England’s Commercial Vehicle traffic commissioners report emphasising the importance of competent #brake #testing procedures for heavy vehicles.

Acknowledging that operators had been investing in roller brake testing, the TCs were pleased to note that this was improving brake performance at annual test.

“In 2017/18, there were almost 10,000 fewer failures for service brake performance at commercial vehicle annual tests than in 2013/14,” said the report.

“The biggest improvement we have seen is for trailers – in the same period, an extra 5,500 passed their brake performance test the first time.” However, while the TCs praised these “really encouraging” results, they insisted that there was “more to achieve” – not least because “brake failures are still dominating the top ten reasons for MOT failure”. There were 22,000 failures for service brake performance in 2017/18; and the TCs highlighted a range of commonly recurring issues relating to brake tests. One such issue was that of periodic maintenance inspection (PMI) brake checks being conducted on unladen vehicles and trailers with wheels locking at very low brake efforts; another was test printouts saying ‘pass’ where it was clear one or more brakes were not working properly. Operators and transport managers failing to understand the information on the printout was a further bugbear, as was the issue of technicians conducting brake tests failing to identify potential serious safety concerns. TCs also highlighted a general failure to grasp that the standards applied at PMIs should actually be higher than minimum annual test requirements.

Also, there are a great number of commercial workshops who are still of the misconception that all of the aforementioned brake tests have to be performed on a roller brake tester. This is not the case! The Traffic Commission has allowed the use of a DVSA-approved brake tester, like a decelerometer / BrakeCheck, for all non-MOT brake tests.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com Our product range – HGV Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

Portable Brake Testing Using a Bowmonk BrakeCheck

ISOCheck Prevents Trailer Rollover!!

Truck & Bus Email Focus On Time This Week. Truck Body Components is this weeks feature, aide automotive feature again….

ISOCheck can be used as a constant visual aide on any truck and trailer, especially for double decker or car transporter trailers.

Double decker trailers with a defective EBS system would vastly increase the chances of roll over or jack-knife.

With ISOCheck in place a driver or depot gateman would be able to see the RED warning light. ISOCheck EBS tests the ISO Socket 7638 Pins 1 to 5 but also tests Pins 6 & 7,”the EBS CAN lines”. ISOCheck is compatible with all electronic braking systems, Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex,

Contact aide automotive for prices / information

0115 8456471

info@aideautomotive.com

Double decker trailers with a defective EBS system would vastly increase the chances of roll over or jack-knife

2020 is the Year Of The Back Stop!

BackStop Trailer & Truck Automatic Braking Reversing System is a modern hi tech reversing aide for commercial rigid trucks and trailers.

The BackStop system is an attractive product for transport managers to improve health & safety standards.

Reversing is often the cause of vehicle damage or human injury. Fines have been issued to transport operators for employee injury and high costs in repairs for simple low speed reversing incidents. One incident in 2011 when an employee received crush injuries cost the UK transport operator a total of £15,000 in fines and costs.

BackStop automatically applies the brakes when an object such as a concrete pillar or a person becomes an obstruction, or is in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle. activating only when the vehicle is in reverse and continuously monitoring at a distance up to 3m behind the vehicle, BackStop (Truck Braking While Reversing Product) will automatically apply the brakes if any of the sensors detect an obstacle, leaving sufficient time for a person to move or the vehicle realigned.

So contact us to discuss if Back Stop can reduce reversing damage for your fleet in 2020! – 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com

2020 the year of the Truck Back Stop (reversing braking system)

aide automotive’s Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics was featured in the Transport Engineer magazine’s website, the homepage for transport engineers and fleet managers, brought to you by the IRTE Professional Sector of SOE and MA Business.

Code Talk trailer diagnostics interface to cover Wabco TEBS E Code Talk, the hand-held trailer diagnostics fro Doctor Air Brake for trailer repairers looking after older ABS and new EBS systems, now covers Wabco TEBS E.

Distributor aide automotive says its diagnostics handset communicates with a trailer’s ECU, reading and clearing ABS/EBS fault codes on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems. Trailer workshops can eliminate fault finding by reading the ECU codes to determine where a fault lies, says aide’s Matthew Burke – making the point that being able to clear historic codes is invaluable during service and inspection.

The system now interfaces to: Haldex EBS Generation 1, 2 and 3; Wabco TEBS E and D; and Knorr Bremse EBS Gen 1. Code Talk also acts as a remote control for the TrailerCheck product range, providing information on lighting wires, voltages and pin out information via the display. “Future updates will cover newer systems and with no annual software fee,” says Matthew Burke.

aide automoitive on 0115 8456471

Trailer Diagnostics In Transport Engineer Publication

HGV Brake Testing – As Per The DVSA

As you have purchased or are a user of a decelerometer, detailed below is the status of required testing of HGV’s as taken from the DVSA’s “Guide to maintaining roadworthiness” November 2018.

As within the industry we at aide automotive hear varied opinions of what is required when brake testing commercial vehicles, we have detailed the requirement as per the DVSA’s guidance.

No 1 – The current law could still be the fact that ONE annual MOT roller brake test (RBT) is the requirement.

No 2 – As the Health & Safety standards of the UK are of a high standard, duty of care laws could leave an operator open to the fact that high risk practices requires more testing.

No 3 – The DVSA’s “Guide To Maintaining Roadworthiness” should be used as the bench mark for all maintenance standards and be the minimum best practice.

So what does the Guide (For Brake Testing) say?

Safety inspection facilities
Facilities should include: • undercover accommodation for the largest vehicle in the fleet. This is required to ensure that safety checks can be conducted satisfactorily in all weathers (depending on fleet size the building may need room for more than one vehicle at a time) • tools and equipment appropriate to the size and nature of the fleet – access to brake test equipment (eg a roller brake tester, decelerometer)

As per the annual test, every safety inspection must assess the braking performance of the vehicle or trailer. It is STONGLY ADVISED that a calibrated roller brake tester (RBT) is used at each safety inspection to measure individual brake performance and overall braking efficiencies for the vehicle or trailer to the annual test standards. However, it is also acceptable to use an approved and calibrated decelerometer to measure overall brake efficiency values for vehicles without trailers.

Brake testing should be undertaken with the vehicle or trailer in a laden condition in order to achieve the most meaningful results; however, due to basic design limitations or restriction caused by the type of cargo normally carried, this is sometimes not possible

A printout of the brake efficiency test from either the RBT or decelerometer should be attached to the safety inspection record. If the brake test equipment cannot produce a printout, efficiency results must be recorded by the inspector on the safety inspection report. To help operators arrange a brake performance assessment with safety inspections, it is acceptable for a satisfactory brake performance assessment to be carried out within the same week of the planned safety inspection. Brake efficiency testing can be carried out by either an approved RBT or decelerometer test.

The conclusion! An O Licence operator should carry out a brake test on every inspection (to meet the DVSA guidance as above, although further detailed text does state “it is therefore normally expected that the vehicle or trailer should complete at least three successful brake efficiency tests spread throughout the year in addition to the annual MOT test), this can be achieved using an RBT or Decelerometer, the test should be printed out and attached to the safety inspection sheet. With regard to decelerometer tests, if the user decided to carry out the test laden, he/she should write on the printout as so: Laden / Un Laden.

If you are unsure about any of the above text or details, please do not hesitate to contact aide automotive.

Purchasing a Bowmonk BrakeCheck could not be any easier, just click on Purchase A BrakeCheck to review prices and buy!

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

Truck & Bus Product Focus Email For November is “HGV Trailer Servicing” Featuring aide auto’s TrailerCheck 4 Vans, Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics & ISOCheck.

Van Trailer Check enables a one man quick mobile or workshop trailer service & diagnostics test on; lighting, ABS-EBS-CAN circuits and all air brake systems on trailers in one unit.

• Reduces time to service, inspect or find faults on trailers. • Safer, you’re in control and no smokey, noisy tractor unit up front.

• Makes brake testing a one man job.

• Enables you to fix multiple trailers – earning you more money

N&S Commercial Services in the Vale Of Glamorgan have been using the TrailerCheck 4 Vans for 5 years! With 5 kits within service vans, James Stauber commented; ‘’These 5 Testers are made so well we have not had to repair or replace them In 5 years!”

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs are another user; “TrailerCheck has improved my service and with the diagnostics system I can now offer ECU code reading and clearing, a new service to my customers.”

Stay OCRS compliant Stay compliant and protect your OCRS with Aide Automotive genius products: Code Talk Diagnostics and ISO-Check, save hours finding faults on your trailer.

Code Talk is a world renowned, diagnostics, hand held, fault code reader, for a variety of trailer manufacturers and specifically their ABS/EBS brake systems. Simply plug into the 7638 dedicated EBS Suzy and it will read out and clear any fault codes that the trailer may have. Code Talk can also show live air pressures, wheel speeds, and system voltages which also helps with quick diagnostics. It can also act as a remote to our TrailerCheck and TC products.

ISO-Check visually alerts you if there is a problem with the connection/power from the tractor unit or with your trailers braking system. It works by measuring the voltages on all 7 pins in the dedicated 7638 lead. If all pins are ok the light will glow green, if there is a fault on any pin the light will glow red. As an extra we can make the red light flash a certain number of times to indicate which pin is at fault. e.g. 2 flashes means pin 2 is faulty.

Contact aide automotive for prices or technical support – 0115 8456471

Truck & Bus Product Focus Email For November is “HGV Trailer Servicing

aide automotive offer a range of commercial vehicle (Truck, Trailer & Bus) Repair Tester & Diagnostics.

Trailer Inspections Using TrailerCheck Specialist Truck & Trailer Services Says “TrailerCheck Is A Superb bit of Kit” aide automotive recently supplied a TrailerCheck & Code Talk Diagnostic System to Specialist Truck & Trailer Services Ltd. Owner Charlie is so impressed with the kit he recently Tweeted “Another day on trailer inspections using @aideautomotive van trailer check system. Superb bit of kit”. TrailerCheck has a micro processor controlled circuit board to enable safe trailer testing and power conservation, enabling a engineer to test multiple trailer from single charged battery supply, if using batteries to power the trailer tester a split van charger can be purchased for battery recharging while the travelling, further more mains power options are available. TrailerCheck also has the bonus of a diagnostics interface and REMOTE controller, Code Talk is an aftermarket engineers diagnostic tool, 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.

EBS/ABS Sensor and Exciter Ring Tester The SensorMaster is compatible with 90% of applications as standard. It works with any ABS/EBS system made by Knorr Bremse, Haldex or Wabco fitted to any type of commercial vehicle whether it be truck, trailer, bus or coach. The SensorMaster tests for the following causes of sensor related faults: Correct OHMS resistance Open Circuit Short Circuit Pole ring tooth damage Pole ring mis-alignment Sensor gap measurement Lightweight, portable and simple to operate The SensorMaster is supplied with a 1.6m high quality cable and a separate universal adapter for those applications where the standard lead’s termination is not applicable. The EBS / ABS Sensor Tester comes ready to use straight out of the box.

PoTesta (HGV Brake Caliper Tester). This tester is used to check caliper potentiometer readings and to determine the wear status of brake discs and brake pads. Brake discs and brake pads are some of the most important wearing parts on vehicles. Before replacing them it is worth testing them with an automotive Potentiometer Tester. To check the potentiometer simply connect the corresponding cable to the brake potentiometer, power the tester and choose which type you are testing. This can be can be carried out with the caliper installed on the vehicle or with the caliper removed.

Contact aide automotive For Prices & Tech Information – 0115 8456471

EBS/ABS Sensor & Exciter Ring Tester SensorMaster is compatible with 90% of applications as standard. It works with any ABS/EBS system / Knorr Bremse, #Haldex or #Wabco fitted to any type of commercial vehicle whether it be #truck, #trailer, #bus or coach

Please make sure you have read and understood the instructions before using this product.

Using the TrailerCheck

On opening the case you should hear a bleep; this confirms the microprocessor has powered up and the unit is ready for use. Fully closing the lid will automatically switch the unit off.

Plug the 24N, 24S & ABS/EBS leads into the trailer sockets, drop down the protection flap to revel the main control panel. Press the black 24 N button to scroll down the various normal outputs, side lights, circuit 1 & 2 indicators etc. You will hear the ticking of the relays, this switches the lights on for two seconds and off for one, operating in this way extends the battery life.

Please note that the stop lights do not flash as this would confuse the ABS warning lamp check, do not leave the lights on for any longer than necessary as this will drain the batteries

Scroll down using the 24S (green Button) to power the Reverse, Fog and Secondary ABS power. Note if the green ABS warning light flashes the correct code for the ABS system is fitted to the trailer, there is also a reverse and side light position to test the silent mode of some reversing warning devices.

To activate automatic full test, press the green 24S button until the Fog Lights LED is lit, press it once more and all the control lights will illuminate, the processor will sequence through every circuit one after the other this will be indicated by the lights moving to the next position after each flash.

Press and hold both the green and black buttons for 3 seconds, this puts the tester into diagnostic mode, this will enable the selected circuit to be powered continuously.

Pressing the red button powers the ABS / EBS via the dedicated ISO7638 lead. The EBS CAN line test is automatic and results are displayed. The Yellow In Cab warning light will flash depending on the ABS / EBS system installed on the trailer.

To save power the tester will turn off after approx. 10 mins, except when in diagnostic mode and using ABS/EBS power.

A double bleep indicates low battery, and NOTE, the tester cannot be used while on charge!

Charging TrailerCheck

To recharge, close the lid to switch off and connect the mains charger into the TrailerCheck on the side of the case. Now plug into a mains supply and turn on. Or connect to a vehicle cigar lighter

TrailerCheck ABS & EBS Fault Diagnostic

ABS – If the ABS circuit is OK you should see the YELLOW light flash on for 2 seconds and then off for 2 seconds then on all the time (this is dependant on the trailer system). If the ABS circuit has a fault the YELLOW light will be on all the time. If testing a Wabco VCS system, this light will be on all the time. If you have a fault, check all ABS sensors and pole ring with the aide automotive ABS Sensor Tester.

EBS – When the TrailerCheck tests each CAN line you will see on the front panel a HI and LO LED, if the ISO circuit is faulty the fault LED will be lit in RED under the corresponding CAN HI or LO LED, if OK the GREEN LED will be lit.

Trailer Cables

TrailerCheck has 3 cables connected to the inner case, you can identify each cable by…

Cable with the clamp – This is the ISO ABS / EBS cable

Black cable with no white front face – This is the main lighting circuit cable

Black cable with a white face – This is the secondary cable

TrailerCheck User Manual Quick Reference Guide

With the growing need for fault finding the modern way, Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics is becoming more and more of interest to the commercial vehicle trade.

Cooks Commercials, based in Taunton consulted aide automotive of the available tools to determine faults on trailers, reviewing TrailerCheck, The EBS ABS Sensor Master & Code Talk it became obvious the full trailer diagnostic system Code Talk was the correct tool.

Code Talk is a world-renowned Diagnostics Handheld Fault Code Reader for all Trailer Manufacturers including WABCO, HALDEX, KNORR-BREMSE and specifically their trailer ABS/EBS Brake systems. This product is used by being plugged into the braking ECU and will read out and clear any fault codes that the trailer may have. The Code Talk can also show live air pressures, wheel speeds, and system voltages which also helps with the diagnostics on the trailer. It can also act as a remote to our VTC allowing you to work from inside an HGV Service Van.

With NO annual software fee with Code Talk, this trailer diagnostics tool is by far the best on the UK market. Up gradable for future proofing, the Code Talk will outlast and beat any Texa or JalTest system.

Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics is an aftermarket engineers’ diagnostic tool, designed by UK trailer maintenance engineers for engineers.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 To Discuss Trailer Diagnostics for a Haulage Trailer Fleet

Code Talk is the next generation of trailer diagnostics from aide automotive ltd.