Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Controller Antilock Brake: Operation: Notes
The primary functions of the controller antilock brake (CAB) are to:
- Monitor the antilock brake system for proper operation.
- Detect wheel locking or wheel slipping tendencies by monitoring the speed of all four wheels of the vehicle.
- Control fluid modulation to the wheel brakes while the system is in an ABS mode.
- Store diagnostic information.
- Provide communication to the DRBIII(R) scan tool while in diagnostic mode.
- Illuminate the amber ABS warning indicator lamp.
- (With traction control only) Illuminate the TRAC ON lamp in the message center on the instrument panel when a traction control event occurs.
- (with traction control only) Illuminate the TRAC OFF lamp when the amber ABS warning indicator lamp illuminates.
The CAB constantly monitors the antilock brake system for proper operation. If the CAB detects a fault, it will turn on the amber ABS warning indicator lamp and disable the antilock braking system. The normal base braking system will remain operational.
The CAB continuously monitors the speed of each wheel through the signals generated by the wheel speed sensors to determine if any wheel is beginning to lock. When a wheel locking tendency is detected, the CAB commands the CAB command coils to actuate. The coils then open and close the valves in the HCU that modulate brake fluid pressure in some or all of the hydraulic circuits. The CAB continues to control pressure in individual hydraulic circuits until a locking tendency is no longer present.
The CAB contains a self-diagnostic program that monitors the antilock brake system for system faults. When a fault is detected, the amber ABS warning indicator lamp is turned on and the fault diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is then stored in a diagnostic program memory. A latched fault will disable certain system functionality for the current ignition cycle. An unlatched fault will disable certain system functionality until the fault condition disappears. These DTC's will remain in the CAB memory even after the ignition has been turned off. The DTC's can be read and cleared from the CAB memory by a technician using the DRBIII(R) scan tool. If not cleared with a DRBIII(R) scan tool, the fault occurrence and DTC will be automatically cleared from the CAB memory after the identical fault has not been seen during the next 3,500 miles. Drive-off may be required for the amber ABS warning indicator lamp to go out on the next ignition cycle.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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