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[quote="shep532
There seems to be mention on some of the posts of “just a faulty sensor” so it’s OK to carry on. Lets be honest - a faulty ANYTHING in a brake system can’t be good!
I agree totally - poor wording on my part, mate - i guess what i was trying to say was more along the lines of a sensor giving a false indication, rather than highlighting any serious malfunctioning component. y`know, a spurious electrical message? (hope that makes sense )
I know what you mean. I do meet a lot of drivers who do seem to think “Oh it’s just a faulty sensor - happens all the time” - mechanics as well. Frightens me!
[/quote]
This is where the problem lies. Drivers have got hold of this idea, and the only place they have got it from is fitters who were either too lazy, too busy, or too harassed to do something about it. Much of this stems from the constant pressure upon an on-site workshop to deliver the number of available vehicles that the traffic office wants on an hourly basis. When available numbers fall short the pressure is on to return a vehicle already in the workshop’s possession for the proposed load. Is this to be ABC which is due for a safety inspection, CDE which was overdue service last week, DEF which has a leaking radiator or other non safety-related mechanical issue, or GHI which has just been steam cleaned ready for MOT? That is part of the workshop foreman/manager’s problem, along with the opposing issues of manpower and keeping each of his men supplied with a task, because he has to justify the number of fitters he either has, or keeps asking for. As for the fitter doing the job, rotating early/late 12 hour shifts along with the constant hurry up/ why is this taking so long?/ when is this going to be ready? don’t help maintain concentration and enthusiasm. Is it any wonder fitters are such miserable gits?
All of this disregards those companies who seem to think that vehicles are only ever going to develop a problem between 8am and 5pm, and have accordingly made no arrangements whatsoever for dealing with a vehicle defect at 2am.
Once had an amber ABS and just ignored it, stopped to pee after a while, noticed wheel all to ■■■■, garage hadn’t secured the hub. I was lucky, be warned
taffytrucker:
Chuck a bit of black tape over the warning light can’t see it anymore so it’s all good job done!
Always carry black tape and zip ties
All proper truck drivers should always take a roll of black electrical tape, cable ties, strong duct tape a good quality spade and small bag (approx 10kg) of lime… Optional. Latex gloves and something to clean up the blood… Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner seems to work well.
If the light is on, I usually turn the ignition on to see if the trailer A.B.S ‘self checks’ (multiple rapid clicks from the trailer) when doing my Pre Trip Inspection. if no clicks, I inform the planner / garage and ask them what they would like me to do .
Problem is if you have an accident, even one which is not your fault and your A.B.S light is on, you could be prosecuted for using a vehicle with faulty brakes.
contractdriver:
If the light is on, I usually turn the ignition on to see if the trailer A.B.S ‘self checks’ (multiple rapid clicks from the trailer) when doing my Pre Trip Inspection. if no clicks, I inform the planner / garage and ask them what they would like me to do .
Problem is if you have an accident, even one which is not your fault and your A.B.S light is on, you could be prosecuted for using a vehicle with faulty brakes.
there is no “you could be prosecuted” , you will be prosecuted.
And so you should.
If its a fatal they will comb those ECUs and if they find a fault your going to jail for a long time.
contractdriver:
If the light is on, I usually turn the ignition on to see if the trailer A.B.S ‘self checks’ (multiple rapid clicks from the trailer) when doing my Pre Trip Inspection. if no clicks, I inform the planner / garage and ask them what they would like me to do .
Problem is if you have an accident, even one which is not your fault and your A.B.S light is on, you could be prosecuted for using a vehicle with faulty brakes.
there is no “you could be prosecuted” , you will be prosecuted.
And so you should.
If its a fatal they will comb those ECUs and if they find a fault your going to jail for a long time.
Exactly.
This is what drivers fail to understand, ECUs have become so sophisticated that they log ‘events’ . Depending on what the system is capable of recording, an ABS or EBS fault can be logged along with the date, time, speed, axle weight, warning light illuminated and even GPS location.
contractdriver:
If the light is on, I usually turn the ignition on to see if the trailer A.B.S ‘self checks’ (multiple rapid clicks from the trailer) when doing my Pre Trip Inspection. if no clicks, I inform the planner / garage and ask them what they would like me to do .
Problem is if you have an accident, even one which is not your fault and your A.B.S light is on, you could be prosecuted for using a vehicle with faulty brakes.
there is no “you could be prosecuted” , you will be prosecuted.
And so you should.
If its a fatal they will comb those ECUs and if they find a fault your going to jail for a long time.
Exactly.
This is what drivers fail to understand, ECUs have become so sophisticated that they log ‘events’ . Depending on what the system is capable of recording, an ABS or EBS fault can be logged along with the date, time, speed, axle weight, warning light illuminated and even GPS location.
Lets not go over the top.
They can log operating hours since malfunction.So if you got a fault “current” from 20 operating hours ago you cant say it went goosed 20 minutes ago.
You’re both going over the top gIven even VOSA is perfectly happy with it being driven to a place of repair in that condition and accept the fault may arise during a journey.
Of its braking ok then I don’t see a problem with it completing the job . It depends on a few things and each situation is different. Saw on last week at tebay old tailer new unit agency told driver it had to be recovered even though fitter on site said it was fine to drive.
from what I read it says if the amber light came on during the journey the driver has to show evidence that it did just that,how do you produce evidence to prove it came on during the journey,as far as I am aware that is impossible, I could be wrong though
from what I read it says if the amber light came on during the journey the driver has to show evidence that it did just that,how do you produce evidence to prove it came on during the journey,as far as I am aware that is impossible, I could be wrong though
They compare the hours the vehicle has been operating with the fault and the taco hours.
If its more than 15 hours it should have been repaired
AHHH a Euro 3 truck…i’d top up the coolant if it is RED …will say the amber light is generally always on until you actually move .With all the supposed intelligence of designers you would think the cloggies could use a sensor actually In the coolant
Top tip for the light ,when topping up drop the rear suspension and if possible have the vehicle pointing up hill…That way you will get more coolant in ,and pour it in slowly …
Lucky for me i used the lorry months ago just for a day but i topped it up the first time it came on, then pulled over later to check again as the alarm kept going off but it had no moved so just carried on the get the work done that day. Other drivers said it goes off all the time. I don’t know if we still have the unit on the road as we keep our old lorries at the end of their life for spares for other vehicles.
I just found it comical it would tell me the sensor was not working but then tell me the level was low.
it has been modified ,but it is still crap ,generally if it says the sensor has failed it is right…I think it you unplug it then it will shut up ,but you need to tilt the cab
norb:
it has been modified ,but it is still crap ,generally if it says the sensor has failed it is right…I think it you unplug it then it will shut up ,but you need to tilt the cab
it is a useless system ,generally when you start moving it goes off ,though if on red then it is low…I just wish I got paid as much as the people who design these systems…as basically I get paid peanuts to fix their ■■■ ups
)
,or another one ,if its loose snap it off 
