The Automotive Blog

Diagnostic tools are now a must for any commercial vehicle operator or repairer. Break-downs are an extremely costly exercise for operators in terms of time, call outs and delayed customer deliveries. In the current economic climate a truck diagnostic tool can only save a company money as it wastes no time in identifiying the problem. These devices immediately home in on the problem allowing immediate action to be taken. Why outsource repairs such as dash board warning light clearing and ECU code clearing from expensive dealers or expert diagnostic repairers when for a small investment this can be covered in house.

The Launch X-431 Vehicle Diagnostic tool is already the best selling scan tool in the world and rapidly becoming the tool of choice for all workshops

aide automotive has range of automotive products

Launch X431

Using the TrailerCheck II With Code Reader

Before plugging the Code Reader in to the trailers ECU, make sure the Trailer & Code Reader are powered down. This reduces attempted incorrect cable connections and of powering incorrect circuits.
Included in the kit are 3 Connectors:
1 – Wabco & Knorr Bremese
2 – Haldex Modular
3 – Haldex Modal

ECU Connection

Check the ECU connector on the trailer casing, this connector can be found damaged and corroded, if so do not attempt to plug the associated cable link as you could cause damage.

Once connected to the ECU, power up the trailer by pressing the RED ISO CAN Line button of the TrailerCheck operator panel. Make sure all connections are good and turn on the Code Reader, scroll to the required menu e.g. Haldex. Then scroll by pressing the right or left arrow buttons to the required info, e.g. Read Fault Codes.

You can now read ACTIVE fault codes & a description, for further codes scroll forward.

Once an active fault code has been removed this will move into the Stored Fault Code.

Within a Haldex system codes must be fixed before further codes are viewed.

Haldex systems show 5 codes at a time in the stored or active code areas.

Once all codes have been reviewed and also recorded, exit and scroll to clear fault codes. Then clear all codes.

Return to Stored codes to check ECU memory is clear.

Once completed turn off the Code Reader and TrailerCheck before you remove the ECU cable from the trailer.

Charging The TrailerCheck

To mains charge again first connect the charger to the TrailerCheck and then plug into the mains. The charger is a three stage device, green will first be lit briefly to indicate battery sate, red will indicate batteries are receiving charge, orange indicates almost charged and green indicates fully charged and then trickle charging if left connected.

To use the accessory power for a lead light etc, remove the lead from the lid of the case and then CLOSE THE CASE and clip shut to switch the TrailerCheck off. Then put the 4 pin plug into the case socket and use the cigar lighter socket adaptor for any accessories. (Not included in standard case).

If the case emits a double bleeping sound when in operation or closed the batteries are low and the TrailerCheck requires recharging!

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

Contact aide automotive for further info.

Just Car Clinics needed a  diagnostic tool for their garage so they purchased the Launch X431 from aide automotive.  They couldn’t be more happy with what diagnostics has done for their business. Mick Green from Just Car Clinics said

We purchased a diagnostic tool on 7th January 2010. It has been a real money spinner and should have paid for itself by the end of March. Purchase price £2500. We have charged £2142 a month for two months, giving a gross profit of £1792

The Launch X-431  has a blend of features and benefits it provides is simply un-matched at the price. The Launch X-431 is already the best selling scan tool in the world and rapidly becoming the tool of choice for all workshops

aide automotive has a range of automotive products

aide automotive have seen an increase in sales on the ABS Tester for trucks and trailers in the last 2 months.

Commenting on this Matthew Burke said “A lot of operators do not have any truck diagnostic tools, so the ABS Tester is an ideal cost effective tool to clear ABS or EBS faults on trucks and trailers. This product is easy to use and is 100% universal with all sensors.”

To Read more about the ABS Tester click on the link.

Testing truck brakes can be achieved by 3 methods, :

Roller Brake Testing

ABS Sensor Testing – ABS Sensor Tester

Decelerometer Brake Testing – BrakeCheck

aide automotive ltd offer a range of products for truck brake testing.

November offer for all those organisations looking for a good test guage which will identify any faults in an EBS/ABS braking system, 10% off Orders for Trailer Check II.

TrailerCheck II determines the electrical integrity of lighting circuits, the ABS Warning light and ISO CAN Lines.

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.

TrailerCheck II versatilty means it can easily be used by a commercial repairer or on a multi service lane workshop.  It’s portable so can be used whilst out and about and it’s batteries can be re charged by mains power or via a vehicle’s cigarette lighter

Priced at only £ 1,295.00 + VAT aide automotive is offering a 10% discount off all units sold in November.

 Follow this link for full information on the TrailerCheck II offer or for a full product range visit aide automotive

The ABS Sensor Master from aide automotive is the ideal commercial workshop tool to cure a high percentage of ABS or EBS truck or trailer faults.

Matthew Burke aide automotive Sales Manager stated ” this product is ideal test tool to cure an abs fault on a truck or trailer, we see repairers and workshops  purchase this prodyuct every week, they see a simple to use direct answering tool makes repairing ABS faults easy and fast.”

Ryder Truck Rental recently purchased a EBS/ABS Sensor Master for the Warrington Depot.

Click EBS/ABS Sensor Master for More Info.

aide automotive take please in posting the user guide for the ISOCheck.

When using the ISOCheck on a tractor and trailer, please make sure all health & Safety procedures are in place.

The ISOCheck is not a diagnostic tool, the test lead will quickly identify where the fault is .i.e. on a tractor unit, a trailer or the existing Susie lead.

Testing a Tractor Unit

Firstly make sure the ignition is off in the tractor unit, remove the existing Susie lead that is fitted into the ISO socket.

Apply the ISOCheck test lead to the ISO socket on the tractor unit, fit the end with the clear perspex and writing that says GREEN OK & RED Fault to the ISO Socket,, for future reference this is called “the Indicator”.

Turn on the ignition, with all voltages and earths correct and also the ABS warning light circuit the Perspex end will light up GREEN. If any of the voltages, earths or warning light circuit is incorrect then the Perspex end will light up RED, this indicates a fault with the tractor unit.

Testing the Susie Lead

We are not going to test the existing Susie lead as such, just eliminate the lead.

Turn the ignition off; remove the Perspex end from the ISO socket.

Now plug the opposite end of the ISOCheck lead into the truck ISO socket.

Turn the ignition on in the truck, the ISOCheck Perspex / free end should light up, if GREEN all is OK, if RED then there is a fault.

If the lead showed GREEN in the ISO Socket and now RED then the ISOCheck lead has a fault.

Testing the Trailer

Turn the truck ignition off.

Plug the ISOCheck Perspex end into the trailer, turn on the ignition.

The trailer warning light should come on on the truck dash board and the ISOCheck will light up RED.

The warning light should go out after 2 seconds and the ISOCheck will go GREEN, this means the trailers braking system is working at standstill.

If the warning light stays on, then drive the tractor and trailer above 10KPH, the warning light should go out and the ISOCheck will go GREEN. This proves the braking system is working correctly.

If all is working correctly and there is still an ABS fault light, this would mean the existing Susie lead is probably faulty.

If the tester stays RED after a drive, stop the unit and trailer and remove he ISOCheck from the trailer. If the tester stays RED there is a power supply fault from the tractor unit or warning light fault, if the ISOCheck goes GREEN then there is a fault in the trailer system.

To read & clear ABS Codes from a trailer, use the TrailerCheck II & Code Reader

To quickly identify ABS Sensor faults use the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester

Read More at our WebSite

www.aideautomotive.com

aide automotive have introduced the Trailer ABS Code Reader for testing commercial trailers for ABS faults.

“TrailerCheck II & Code Reader has had a great interest from commercial operators, Pip Baileys a Scania Dealer was the first to purchase a TrailerCheck & Code Reader to improve trailer service proceedures. We have seen many other operators showing an interest in this product with sales increasing.”  States Sales Director Matther Burke.

ABS Code Reader

A popular product TrailerCheck was recently acquired by D J S Commercial from aide automotive , this automotive product  is  a cost effective  tool to  determine if an EBS/ABS braking system  is working correctly and  with it’s individual  trailer  lighting  circuit test, TrailerCheck is ideal for fault finding and repairing.

TrailerCheck  eliminates all uncertainty by confirming a trailers fault, saving hours of time. Also  the fact TrailerCheck is portable, we can now test  trailer quickly, confidently especially when a trailer is in tightly parked yards.   Says Dave Seaman owner of DJS Commercial

TrailerCheck can be used by mobile commercial repairers or by multi service lane workshops. It comes in a carrying case,  and has re chargeable batteries by mains power or via a cigarette lighter.

We’ve also added the updated version, TrailerCheck II to our portfolio of products.    Tcheck II will read the ECU and be able clear ABS fault codes, also has a a hand held remote control. 

Click TrailerCheck for full product details and TrailerCheck II for the updated version