When did ABS become mandatory?

I’ve got a ‘98 Mack CH613, it has ABS, but it doesn’t have the light that comes on for a few seconds when the key is turned on. At least I haven’t found the light.
What I’m wondering is when ABS became mandatory? A search of the web says March 1 1997, March 1 1998, and even one said 2003. I guess what I’m really wanting to know is if I could get a ticket during a inspection for not having the ABS light?

 

From 393.


(d) ABS malfunction circuits and signals for air braked vehicles.

(1) Each truck tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 1997, and each single-unit air braked vehicle manufactured on or after March 1, 1998, subject to the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, shall be equipped with an electrical circuit that is capable of signaling a malfunction that affects the generation or transmission of response or control signals to the vehicle's antilock brake system (49 CFR 571.121, S5.1.6.2(a)).

 

I was always under the impression it was part way through 1997 that ABS became mandatory.

 

So if I’m reading this right, tractor trucks after 3/1/97 and straight trucks after 3/1/98? Is a straight truck what they are calling a “single unit”?
If that is the case, what if you converted a straight truck to a tractor that was manufactured say 8/97?

My truck says ‘98 on the title, but I wonder if it was actually built before 3/97? I’ve got a wiring diagram, and I have looked at it a little, and it shows nothing about ABS that I’ve seen. It does have wheel sensors, but I’ve yet to find a ABS light in the cab.

 

Has anyone actually received an ABS light citation? I always heard 98, sure didn’t have them when I worked on trailers in early 90’s.

 

Should have a light on the dash. Maybe the Dealer can tell you, given the vin#, They should be able to pull up everything related to the abs that your Truck was built with. My 2000 Freightliner also has a trailer abs light on the dash. From what I’ve read, Trailer dash lights only work with newer trailers. My 08 Trailer won’t light it up, Never lights up on a test mode either. Now I’m wondering if it’s burnt out. My parking brake lights burned out. I’ve had to replace the Tractors abs dash light. My Trailers outside yellow light works correctly in test mode and also if there’s a problem. That satisfies the requirement. My guess is you do have a light. Maybe a Trailer light also. Stands to reason, if you have abs. The manufacturers had prior knowledge of the deadlines. I’m not sure exactly what year Freightliner started putting abs on their Trucks. Pretty sure it was before the deadline. I’m going to have to check my Trailer dash light. I got a warning once for the Trailer outside light being out, ( I had it unplugged ). The Officer suggested I fix it, and noted the abs was working, since he could hear the sensors cycling. At least it’s not an OOS issue. Light on or inoperable, is only a warning ticket at most, from what I understand.

 

Some manufacturers had abs a year or a little more before the mandate “restart” date. Some depended on the model. FL did for sure on the Business class chassis. Seen some early ‘96’s with it. I’d guess Mack did as well.

 

Piss on it, send it.. Dot's aren't that great catching those things. If it isn't an issue then piss on it. Save your time.

 

ABS is going to be the focus of the next annual road check.

 

Depends on the actual build date and/or if Mack had an extension. The VIN will tell a dealer service manager.

You can Gogle a VIN decoder for some vehicles, never tried a class 8