SensorCheck

Description

The SensorCheck is a handheld EBS / ABS sensor and exciter ring tester, for use on trucks, trailers, and buses.

Conventional wisdom has it that problems with EBS / ABS systems fitted to trucks, trailers and buses, are best diagnosed via the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit (also known as the ECU). However, since 80% of all EBS / ABS problems are sensor related 1, by connecting directly to the sensor socket for each wheel rather than to the ECU you are, in effect, taking the quickest and most direct route by going straight to the heart of the problem.

Lightweight and portable, the SensorCheck is supplied with a 1.6m high quality cable and a separate “crocodile clip” universal adapter for those applications where the standard lead’s termination is not applicable. A short introductory printed manual and a single 9V PP3 battery are also included. The SensorCheck comes ready to use straight out of the box.

Designed with ease of use in mind, the SensorCheck takes minutes to set-up and, once connected, undertakes a complete test cycle of the six most common causes of EBS / ABS faults, at the touch of a button, in just 15 seconds – a fraction of the time it would take to perform the same tests manually – and all without having to remove the road wheel. Tests start with the continuity of the sensor and sensor lead, the status of the air gap and the condition of the exciter ring.

A list of the tests undertaken by the SensorCheck, along with other important features and benefits of the unit, can be found under the “Features & Specs” tab above.

1 Source: Knorr-Bremse & Wabco

How to Use

The Bowmonk SensorCheck is a small hand held diagnostic tool for checking the ABS sensor, sensor lead and ‘exciter’ or ‘pole’ ring in the event of an ABS warning light illuminating in the cab. All tests are completed without the need to remove the road wheel, and take only minutes to perform.

Testing for the cause of an ABS warning light generally starts by running diagnostic checks on the components surrounding the ABS sensor.

The SensorCheck enables the technician to carry out a complete ‘continuity’ test of the sensor, and the sensor lead, checking for any ‘open’ or ‘short’ circuits. A red LED on the fascia panel signifies either an open or short circuit within the sensor or lead, suggesting a replacement sensor is required. A green LED indicates a good circuit.

From here, by spinning the road wheel, the SensorCheck will automatically check the ‘air gap’. A red LED at this point indicates an excessive air gap, suggesting that the sensor is too far away from the exciter ring and needs moving closer. Likewise, it could be too close or even touching, so again requires repositioning.

The final test is centred around the exciter ring, checking for any breaks in the rhythm of the teeth passing over the sensor. This could be caused by a broken or missing tooth, corrosion or foreign bodies between the teeth or a misaligned or poorly fitted exciter ring. All these fault conditions are signified by a red LED.

Part Codes

BOW830 – SensorCheck
EBS / ABS sensor & exciter ring tester