Another DVIR question.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TruckerGonnaBe, Mar 1, 2015.

  1. TruckerGonnaBe

    TruckerGonnaBe Light Load Member

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    May 27, 2014
    Western WA
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    After dropping off my last load I parked at a Pilot bobtail. When I got backed into my spot I went to shut the truck off and the ABS light came on as it was shutting down. It has never done that before. When I turned the truck back on it and it said there was a fault code found in the engine when I clicked on that it says "see operators manual."

    I have already talked to road service and let my dispatchers know. Road service said it must be just a miscommunication with equipment and everything should be fine once it clear itself off when I restarted it.

    I waited over half an hour restarted it careful to do exactly what they said and it's still doing it.

    If you're unsure of whether it's safe to operate do you list it as "No" it is not safe to operate or "Yes" it is safe to operate?
     
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I would put yes because tomorrow when you head out and if you put no you're going to have to have a mechanic sign off that it is fixed.If the light comes on while driving then call your company.
     
  4. TruckerGonnaBe

    TruckerGonnaBe Light Load Member

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    May 27, 2014
    Western WA
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    Ok, thank you very much.
     
  5. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    I don't expect you to know everything a mechanic knows, but you should really educate yourself on all parts, mechanicals, & systems on your truck so that YOU can make wise judgement calls and also know what to look for to rule out serious safety issues.
    Do you really want to take someone else's word (who is not even able to look at the truck) and base whether it is safe to drive or not, just based on blind faith?

    Your ABS light is likely just a loose connection or faulty signal to the system's computer, however on the other extreme, it could also be the first indication you ran over an unseen object and tore out the wheel sensor wire and smashed in a brake chamber, or worse. Again, extremes, but just an example of "a correct answer" isn't always possible if not there to see or diagnose.

    Just know,, if you mark "Vehicle is NOT safe to operate", then you better not operate it, as if you get stopped, you're in violation of DOT regs.
     
  6. TruckerGonnaBe

    TruckerGonnaBe Light Load Member

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    May 27, 2014
    Western WA
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    Thank you KW Cajun. :biggrin_25519:

    I did do a post trip to see if I could find anything but there is nothing obvious wrong with it. I see no fluid, loose wires, ect.

    It has done the engine fault code thing to me before but never the ABS light thing before. Here in a bit I'll call Road Service again and let them know their idea didn't work.

    I hate driving it like this but I'm 130 miles from the nearest yard and they hate having to pay someone else to check things out.
     
  7. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    After dropping my trailer (on occasion) the ABS light will come on when I go to reconnect. many times, the pig tail has some dirt sticking to the grease that is used to keep the water out. Shut down the unit, disconnect the pig tail (at the trailer) and try to clean it with either Brake Kleen, WD-40, I have even used starting fluid. Then reconnect. Since this happened when you dropped the trailer then reconnected, you most likely forced dirt in there and no electrical contact was made, setting off the ABS light.

    Now regarding the DVIR, it is for the most part, a warning light, just put, NO problems, and move on.

    The ABS warning light, when properly working, tells you that the ABS system may not be working correctly, but you still have brakes, they just will not be having the ABS function.
     
  8. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    No problem with driving it, as long as you did a thorough check of wheel & brake components and do a quick air systems check
    You have no reason to need to call for immediate service. Write it up and have it looked into when at your terminal.
    Your brakes will work fine, but just may not have the anti-lock feature working.
     
  9. Riprap

    Riprap Light Load Member

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    Do you know specifically what abs code the tractor is sending? Its possible that its only one abs sensor on a wheel that's not communicating due to brake dust, dirt, or corroded wire. Each wheel has an abs sensor, the fault codes usually tell what wheel is screwing up.
     
  10. teqntexas

    teqntexas Medium Load Member

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    Ft. Worth Tx.
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    good tips, ABS lights on the dash can be a real pia. another thing to try, for a "temporary" fix if your getting the same codes when hooked to a trailer, after trying to clean them like mentioned, unplug the pig tail from the trailer and stuff some paper underneath it when plugging it back in. if it's loose that will help tighten it up some.
     
  11. CJndaTruck

    CJndaTruck Road Train Member

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    I assume part of your reset procedure was to drive the truck a few hundred yards to reset it right?

    But most of the above is pretty good advise. ABS lights are common and most often caused by dirt/snow/ice. I won't say to ignor them, but if you checked your equip and didn't see anything you are probably ok to take it to the yard. I'm willing to bet it fixes itself about 200 yards after you start driving tomorrow.
     
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