
OPERATION
Battery voltage is supplied to the CAB when a
speed of 15 miles per hour is reached. The CAB per-
forms a system initialization procedure at this point.
Initialization consists of a static and dynamic self
check of system electrical components.
The static and dynamic checks occurs at ignition
start up. During the dynamic check, the CAB briefly
cycles the pump and solenoids to verify operation. An
audible noise may be heard during this self check.
This noise should be considered normal.
If an ABS component exhibits a fault during ini-
tialization, the CAB illuminates the amber warning
light and registers a fault code in the microprocessor
memory.
The CAB monitors wheel speed sensor inputs con-
tinuously while the vehicle is in motion. However,
the CAB will not activate any ABS components as
long as sensor inputs indicate normal braking.
During normal braking, the master cylinder, power
booster and wheel brake units all function as they
would in a vehicle without ABS. The HCU compo-
nents are not activated.
The purpose of the antilock system is to prevent
wheel lockup during periods of high wheel slip. Pre-
venting lockup helps maintain vehicle braking action
and steering control.
The antilock CAB activates the system whenever
sensor signals indicate periods of wheel slip. Periods
of wheel slip occur when brake stops involve high
pedal pressure and rate of vehicle deceleration.
The antilock system prevents lockup during a
wheel slip condition by modulating fluid apply pres-
sure to the wheel brake units.
Brake fluid apply pressure is modulated according
to wheel speed, degree of slip and rate of decelera-
tion. Sensors at each front wheel convert wheel speed
into electrical signals. These signals are transmitted
to the CAB for processing and determination of
wheel slip and deceleration rate.
The ABS system has three fluid pressure control
channels. The front brakes are controlled separately
and the rear brakes in tandem. A speed sensor input
signal indicating a wheel slip condition activates the
CAB antilock program.
There are Two solenoid valves (Isolation and Dump
valve) which are used in each antilock control chan-
nel. The valves are all located within the HCU valve
body and work in pairs to either increase, hold, or
decrease apply pressure as needed in the individual
control channels.
During an ABS stop the ISO valve actuates, Stop-
ping anymore pressure build Ðup to the calipers.
Then the Dump valve dumps off pressure until the
wheel unlocks. This will continue until the wheels
quit slipping altogether.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ANTILOCK
BRAKES
The ABS brake system performs several self-tests
every time the ignition switch is turned on and the
vehicle is driven. The CAB monitors the systems
input and output circuits to verify the system is oper-
ating correctly. If the on board diagnostic system
senses that a circuit is malfunctioning the system
will set a trouble code in its memory.
NOTE: An audible noise may be heard during the
self-test. This noise should be considered normal.
NOTE: The MDS or DRB III scan tool is used to
diagnose the ABS system. For additional informa-
tion refer to the Antilock Brake section in Group
8W. For test procedures refer to the Chassis Diag-
nostic Manual.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - RWAL SERVICE
PRECAUTIONS
The RWAL uses an electronic control module, the
CAB. This module is designed to withstand normal
current draws associated with vehicle operation.
Care must be taken to avoid overloading the CAB
circuits.In testing for open or short circuits, do
not ground or apply voltage to any of the cir-
cuits unless instructed to do so for a diagnostic
procedure.These circuits should only be tested
using a high impedance multi-meter or the DRB
tester as described in this section. Power should
never be removed or applied to any control module
with the ignition in the ON position. Before removing
or connecting battery cables, fuses, or connectors,
always turn the ignition to the OFF position.
CAUTION: Use only factory wiring harnesses. Do
not cut or splice wiring to the brake circuits. The
addition of after-market electrical equipment (car
phone, radar detector, citizen band radio, trailer
lighting, trailer brakes, ect.) on a vehicle equipped
with antilock brakes may affect the function of the
antilock brake system.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - BLEEDING ABS
BRAKE SYSTEM
ABS system bleeding requires conventional bleed-
ing methods plus use of the DRB scan tool. The pro-
cedure involves performing a base brake bleeding,
followed by use of the scan tool to cycle and bleed the
5 - 36 BRAKES - ABSBR/BE
BRAKES - ABS (Continued)

RADIO NOISE SUPPRESSION
COMPONENTS
DESCRIPTION
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Electro-
Magnetic Interference (EMI) noise suppression is
accomplished primarily through circuitry internal to
the radio receivers. These internal suppression
devices are only serviced as part of the radio receiver.
External suppression devices that are used on this
vehicle to control RFI or EMI noise include the fol-
lowing:
²Radio antenna base ground
²Radio receiver chassis ground wire or strap
²Engine-to-body ground straps
²Cab-to-bed ground strap
²Heater core ground strap
²Resistor-type spark plugs
²Radio suppression-type secondary ignition wir-
ing.
For more information on the spark plugs and sec-
ondary ignition components, refer to Electrical, Igni-
tion Control.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - RADIO NOISE
SUPPRESSION COMPONENTS
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO ELECTRICAL, RESTRAINTS
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
For complete circuit diagrams, refer to the appro-
priate wiring information. The wiring information
includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector
repair procedures, details of wire harness routing
and retention, connector pin-out information and
location views for the various wire harness connec-
tors, splices and grounds. Inspect the ground paths
and connections at the following locations:
²Blower motor
²Cab-to-bed ground strap
²Electric fuel pump
²Engine-to-body ground straps
²Generator
²Ignition module
²Heater core ground strap
²Radio antenna base ground
²Radio receiver chassis ground wire or strap
²Wiper motor.If the source of RFI or EMI noise is identified as a
component on the vehicle (i.e., generator, blower
motor, etc.), the ground path for that component
should be checked. If excessive resistance is found in
any ground circuit, clean, tighten, or repair the
ground circuits or connections to ground as required
before considering any component replacement.
For service and inspection of secondary ignition
components, refer to Electrical, Ignition Control.
Inspect the following secondary ignition system com-
ponents:
²Distributor cap and rotor
²Ignition coil
²Spark plugs
²Spark plug wire routing and condition.
Reroute the spark plug wires or replace the faulty
components as required.
If the source of the RFI or EMI noise is identified
as two-way mobile radio or telephone equipment,
check the equipment installation for the following:
²Power connections should be made directly to
the battery, and fused as closely to the battery as
possible.
²The antenna should be mounted on the roof or
toward the rear of the vehicle. Remember that mag-
netic antenna mounts on the roof panel can adversely
affect the operation of an overhead console compass,
if the vehicle is so equipped.
²The antenna cable should be fully shielded coax-
ial cable, should be as short as is practical, and
should be routed away from the factory-installed
vehicle wire harnesses whenever possible.
²The antenna and cable must be carefully
matched to ensure a low Standing Wave Ratio
(SWR).
Fleet vehicles are available with an extra-cost RFI-
suppressed Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This
unit reduces interference generated by the PCM on
some radio frequencies used in two-way radio com-
munications. However, this unit will not resolve com-
plaints of RFI in the commercial AM or FM radio
frequency ranges.
ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND
STRAP
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the screw that secures the engine-to-
body ground strap eyelet to the dash panel (Fig. 10).
(2) Remove the screw that secures the engine-to-
body ground strap eyelet to the back of the engine
cylinder head (Fig. 11) or (Fig. 12).
8A - 12 AUDIOBR/BE