MECHANICAL DIAGNOSTICS AND SERVICE
PROCEDURES
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL
Some diagnostic procedures in this section require
the use of the DRB II diagnostics tester. The proper
application and procedures for the use of this tool are
described below.
DRB II DIAGNOSTIC TESTER Some of the diagnostic procedures that are ex-
plained in this section require the use of the DRB II
Diagnostics Tester to insure that proper diagnostics
are performed. Refer to those sections for proper test-
ing procedures and the DRB II operators manual for
its proper operational information.
INTERMITTENT FAULTS
As with virtually any electronic system, intermit-
tent faults in the ABS system may be difficult to ac-
curately diagnose. Most intermittent faults are caused by faulty elec-
trical connections or wiring. When an intermittent
fault is encountered, check suspect circuits for: (1) Poor mating of connector halves or terminals
not fully seated in the connector body. (2) Improperly formed or damaged terminals. All
connector terminals in a suspect circuit should be
carefully reformed to increase contact tension. (3) Poor terminal to wire connection. This requires
removing the terminal from the connector body to in-
spect. (4) Pin presence in the connector assembly
If a visual check does not find the cause of the
problem, operate the car in an attempt to duplicate
the condition and record the Fault code. Most failures of the ABS system will disable Anti-
Lock function for the entire ignition cycle even if the
fault clears before key-off. There are some failure
conditions, however, which will allow ABS operation
to resume during the ignition cycle in which a fail-
ure occurred. If the failure conditions are no longer
present. The following conditions may result in inter-
mittent illumination of the Amber Anti-Lock Warn-
ing Lamp. All other failures will cause the lamp to
remain on until the ignition switch is turned off. Cir-
cuits involving these inputs to the (CAB) should be
investigated if a complaint of intermittent warning
system operation is encountered. (1) Low system voltage. If Low System Voltage is
detected by the (CAB), the (CAB) will turn on the
Amber Anti-Lock Warning Lamp until normal sys-
tem voltage is achieved. Once normal voltage is seen
at the (CAB), normal operation resumes. (2) Anti-Lock relay. If the relay fails to make the
ground circuit connection or is an intermittent
ground. The (CAB) will turn on the Amber Anti-Lock
Warning Light. (3) Excess decay, an extended pressure decay pe-
riod, will turn on the Amber Anti-Lock Warning
Light until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Additionally, any condition which results in inter-
ruption of electrical current to the (CAB) or modula-
tor assembly. May cause the Amber Anti-Lock
Warning Lamp to turn on intermittently.
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES
ABS SYSTEM SELF DIAGNOSIS
The ABS system is equipped with a self diagnostic
capability which may be used to assist in isolation of
ABS faults. The features of the self diagnostics sys-
tem are described below.
START-UP CYCLE
The self diagnostic ABS start up cycle begins when
the ignition switch is turned to the on position. An
electrical check is completed on the ABS components.
Such as Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity and System
and other Relay continuity. During this check the
Amber Anti-Lock Light is turned on for approxi-
mately 1- 2 seconds. Further Functional testing is accomplished once
the vehicle is set in motion.
² The solenoid valves and the pump/motor are acti-
vated briefly to verify function.
² The voltage output from the wheel speed sensors is
verified to be within the correct operating range. If the vehicle is not set in motion within 3 minutes
from the time the ignition switch is set in the on po-
sition. The solenoid test is bypassed but the pump/
motor is activated briefly to verify that it is
operating correctly.
CONTROLLER ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (CAB)
Fault codes are kept in a Non-Volatile memory un-
til either erased by the technician using the DRB II
or erased automatically after 50 ignition cycles (key
ON-OFF cycles). The only fault that will not be
erased after 50 (KEY CYCLES) is the (CAB) fault. A
(CAB) fault can only be erased by the technician us-
ing the DRB II diagnostic tester. More than one fault
can be stored at a time. The number of key cycles
since the most recent fault was stored is also dis-
played. Most functions of the (CAB) and ABS system
can be accessed by the technician for testing and di-
agnostic purposes by using the DRB II.
LATCHING VERSUS NON-LATCHING ABS FAULTS
Some faults detected by the (CAB) are latching; the
fault is latched and (ABS) is disabled until the igni-
tion switch is reset. Thus ABS is disabled even if the
original fault has disappeared. Other faults are non-
latching; any warning lights that are turned on, are
only turned on as long as the fault condition exists.
Ä ANTI-LOCK 6 BRAKE SYSTEM 5 - 125
