Yellow ABS light of trailer stays on

I'd like them to point out where in the FMCSA it says that because I havent been able to find it.

 

I will Data-Q my violation and see what they come back with.

 

ABS on trailers is stupid. Good on tractor maybe, but horrible on trailers. It makes driving with an mt trailer aggravating since its always doing that stop and go krap. If you know how to drive you shouldn't be locking them up. exception to that comment would be if your avoiding a collision. But I've found that I have had to slam on the brakes harder with ABS than without. Without abs its a slow steady braking, but with ABS if you are mt and slowing down for a redlight you will find that you are not slowing down as fast as you need to because of ABS. This sometimes leaves you slamming down on the brake pedal to avoid rolling on out. STUPID ABS!

 

Actually, I didn't miss your point. You missed mine.

You say "they will make you quit", like it's a bad thing.

You may be surprised. A company will treat you as badly as you allow them to. You may get a raise at the new job, and more to the point, newer equipment and a better attitude from management about the safety and fitness of the equipment. You won't know if you "just go along" with what's comfortable. CSA is here to make things uncomfortable for people that don't know or won't do their jobs.
Drivers and management. How you utilize this aspect is up to you.

 

The specification FMVSS No. 121 (49 CFR 571.121, S5.1.6.1(a) for trucks and buses, S5.2.3 for semitrailers, converter dollies and full trailers). This describes how the systems are to work and if you notice the cite above in my other posts, you're required to be knowledgeable of and compliant with making sure the equipment functions as designed. It's an implicit requirement.

 

Hey guys,
I have been trouble shooting the trailer I have with me since I have the dash light on and had no ABS light on the trailer. I tested the wheel sensors and they are good and pushed in all the way, but I could not check the gap. What I found was a burned out ABS light and the solenoid on the modulator valve has to much resistance. I replaced the light and it does stay on like it is suppossed to with a fault.
Here is my question can you buy parts for the relay valve or do you have to replace the relay valve and ECU as one part. I forgot to look for the Wabco number on it and will have to do that when it is ight out tomorrow.

At least it is nice weather here in Miami for working on stuff since I might be her until Saturday. Any flat bedders close by? I need a ladder to polish the upper half of the truck since I got all the lower stuff done. I guess I could polish my wheels, but the parking lot does not smell to good to spend anytime with my nose close to the ground.

Thanks for any input.

 

Ive read that. Ive also read the CSA points assessment table and i found no entry for a malfunctioning ABS system. There was for a missing or malfunctioning warning lamp. There was for the system not being present on a trailer or tractor.

If it was truly an implicit requirement that it function, then driver's would not be getting a clean CVSA inspection with a lit ABS lamp. A truck can be safely operated with a disabled ABS system.

 

I'm told that you can connect a device to the control unit and retrieve error codes from it. That may help you if you can find a shop that's got the box and is willing to do it for you.

As for a solenoid having too much resistance, what's the resistance value? You can test the solenoid by connecting 12V across it and see if it activates. If it has a snubber diode, make sure you don't connect it backwards or you'll break the smoke seals and let the smoke out of the diode. All electrical components depend on smoke seals to keep the magic smoke in. You'll find that once the magic smoke gets out, the device is no good.

How did you test the wheel sensors to see if they're good?

 

Actually they would. The lit ABS lamp was doing it's job.

A. The lamp works.
B. The lamp indicates there is a malfunction.
C. The system, malfunctioning, is not hindering "normal" braking because of the malfunction.

These are all the things listed in the specification. So, barring any more "serious" reason that the vehicle should be put OOS at a CVSA inspection point, as long as the driver's DVIR reflects that there is a malfunction occurring, recently, they would be allowed to proceed to where they can get the malfunction diagnosed and repaired. Just because they were allowed to pass because the system was working as it was supposed to, doesn't mean they get a pass to allow it to continue running in a malfunctioning condition. By virtue of their DVIR they should be getting it diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.

It's the lack of repair within a reasonable period that makes it a vehicle maintenance violation.

If because of the light working it got a more thorough inspection and more grievous violations were found putting the vehicle OOS, wouldn't that be reason enough that you'd want your system working properly?

Remember, like lights that are out being a red flag that gets one inspected, the ABS light "working" is also a reason that invites an inspection. Or not working when they are supposed to (go - no go test), also.

 

If the system was so tried and true, why were the parts obsoleted?

They were disabled because they are not a requirement for DOT safety checks. And for good reason.

Yep. Just like your opinion that they are worth the extra cost and headache, which IMO they are not.

So ABS is good because it allows us to drive like idiots?

What data do you have to support that even one single accident was prevented by ABS. In fact I bet they have caused as many as they have prevented. The fact that you make this statement without providing any data or even anecdotal evidence makes it unreliable at best. Reminds me of the way the FMCSA babbles on about how safe the roads are and say it's all because of HOS rules....or is it ABS...

No it is a joke. What does it do?
It lengthens your stopping distance,
It stops your trailer from jacknifing.
It requires you to waste time and carry an assortment of sensors, exciter rings, modulator valves and computers becasue (heaven forbid), according to you we can't be trusted to have the skill or sense to drive down the road without ABS.

BIG DEAL!

Would you rather put the tail of your trailer on the shoulder or run into the back of someone because some pre programmed computer shut your brakes off?