Using Alb Checker To Simulate Driving Conditions (ASN 1192-07)

USING ALB CHECKER TO SIMULATE DRIVING CONDITIONS

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

USE ALB CHECKER TO REPRODUCE CODES

Model(s): 1987-92 Acura Legend

1990-92 Acura Integra

1991-92 Acura NSX

1992 Acura Vigor

Group: Brakes

Bulletin No.: ASN 1192-07

Date: November, 1992

SERVICE INFORMATION

You may already know that the ALB Checker can produce brake pedal kickback in Function Test Modes 2-5. You may also know that Mode O can verify whether the wheel sensors are sending signals to the control unit. However, some techs seem unfamiliar with the ALB Checker's ability to simulate driving conditions. This is the purpose of Mode 1, and it is one way to reproduce most trouble codes without test driving.

For example, let us say a customer complains that the ABS indicator light came on. Your first steps should be to check for trouble codes, make note of them, then clear them. But were they caused by "temporary" driving conditions, such as a loss of traction or driving with the parking brake partially applied, or is there a real problem?

Next, you must try to reproduce the trouble code. This is where the ABS Checker comes into play. Instead of driving the car, simply use the checker in Mode 1. If the ABS indicator light originally came on because of a temporary driving condition, the system will check out OK. However, if there really is a problem in the system (most problems, anyway), Mode 1 will cause the light to come on and the code to trip. There are some wheel sensor and pulser problems Mode 1 will not catch. Basically, if Mode 1 reproduces the code, go ahead and troubleshoot it. If Mode 1 does not reproduce the code, go for a test drive.

Keep in mind, however, that if the ABS light comes on when you use Mode 1, the connection between the ALB Checker harness and the ABS inspection connector could be faulty. You should check the connection just to be sure, but it is more likely that the checker just verified the problem for you.