ABS

Anti-lock Braking System

Starting MY 1985

1
327 PP 02 ABS (WJB,GC) 02-25-04
 Objectives
At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:
1. Explain the function of and purpose for ABS
2. Describe the customer interface with ABS
3. List the hydraulic and electronic components used for ABS
4. Explain the difference between the two types of wheel speed
sensors
5. Describe what happens in the “Pressure Hold” phase of ABS
control.
6. Describe what happens in the “Pressure Release” phase of
ABS control
7. Locate background and diagnostic information concerning ABS

These technical training materials are current as of the date noted on the materials, and may be revised or updated without notice. Always check for revised or updated information.
To help avoid personal injury to you or others, and to avoid damage to the vehicle on which you are working, you must always ref er to the latest Mercedes -Benz Technical Publication and follow all
pertinent instructions when testing, diagnosing or making repair.
Illustrations and descriptions in this training reference are based on preliminary information and may not correspond to the final US version vehicles. Refer to the official introduction manual and WIS
when available. Copyright Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 2004
WIS document numbers shown apply to WIS Version USA/CDN at date of writing.
Reproduction by any means or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Mercedes -Benz USA, LLC or it's
2
successors. Published by Mercedes -Benz USA, LLC Printed in U. S.A.
 Contents

Purpose of ABS 4
Driving with ABS 5
Hydraulic components 7
Electronic components 9
Normal braking mode 14
ABS control mode: Pressure Hold 15
ABS control mode: Pressure Release 16
Block diagram 17

3
 Purpose of ABS

Automatic, electronic regulation of brake pressure to prevent the

wheels from locking up during braking. Driver maintains the
ability to steer vehicle.

Without ABS

With ABS

4
 Driving with ABS

• When vehicle first exceeds 5mph after a start-up, a self-test is

performed. With foot on brake pedal, a pulsation will be felt.
• Driver applies brakes:
– If wheels do not approach lock-up, then ABS is not activated
and brakes function as in a non-ABS vehicle.
– As vehicle is braked, ABS may be able to prevent wheel
lock-up by simply holding the brake fluid pressure from going
any higher. The driver would not sense this stage of control.
– If driver feels brake pedal pulsate, then ABS is reducing
brake fluid pressure in order to insure that wheels continue
rotate. This action may be accompanied by pump noise.

• Remember! ABS gives the driver the ability to steer the vehicle
in an emergency braking situation. 5
ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

• Illuminated in key position 2

• Goes out with engine running
• Illuminated when a fault is present
• Will indicate low available voltage (< 10.5 V)
• Flickering off and on while engine is running indicates
a voltage supply problem

6
ABS – Hydraulic Components

• Brake calipers
• Lines / hoses
• Master cylinder
• Hydraulic
control unit

7
 Hydraulic Control Unit

Motor: A7/3m1
Pumps:
A7/3p1-p2
Solenoid valves:
A7/3y6-y23
Pressure sensor:
HA: Rear brake circuit VA: Front brake circuit
B34
HL: Rear left (brake) VL: Front left (brake)
8
HR: Rear right (brake) VR: Front right (brake)
ABS - Electronic Components

• Stop lamp switch (S9/1)

• Wheel speed sensors (L1-L4)
– Inductive (early vehicles)
– Active (late model vehicles)
– Note: VSS = Vehicle Speed Sensor
• Electronic control unit (N47)
• Hydraulic control unit (A7)
• Return pump relay (K40)
• Malfunction Indicator Lamp

9
 Inductive Wheel Speed Sensor
When an inductive pickup is used:
AC voltage is created when teeth
move through the Magnetic field
surrounding the sensor

- 0 volts

Wheel hub cross section

10
Active Wheel Speed Sensor
A newer version sensor:
Magnetic field near sensor
alternates N-S-N… Sensor is a
switch with voltage supplied to it.
A DC square wave is created as
Active sensor switch is turned on and off.
Frequency increases with wheel
speed.

Elastomer plastic
containing magnets
- 0 volts

11
 Effects of Unequal VSS Output

• ABS MIL will illuminate after driving

• Caused by:
– Tire sizes that do not match factory specifications
– Tire circumferences unequal

• Normal braking without ABS intervention is still possible

12
 Hydraulic Control Unit (A7)

• Electric motor and pumps

• Solenoid valves
• Pressure sensor
• Electronic control module

Located in engine compartment

13
Normal Braking Mode

HL - Rear left
HR - Rear right
VL - Front left
VR - Front right

No wheel speed
difference.
Pressure created
by driver operation
of the master
cylinder.
14
ABS Control Mode: “Pressure Hold”
(Example shown - RF wheel)

Vehicle Speed Signal

indicates wheel is
about to lock.
Pressure still applied,
but can’t increase
because ABS control
module has activated
valve y8.

15
ABS Control Mode: “Pressure Release”
To reduce pressure at
locking wheel (the wheel
that has stopped
spinning):
ABS control module:
• Activates return pump
• Activates Valve y8 so
no more pressure
can be applied
•Activates valve y9 so
pressure at brake can
be reduced

These valves can be pulsed very rapidly. You can feel this stage of
operation through the brake pedal. 16
 ABS Block Diagram
Circuit 30 Return pump relay
& 15 K40/?

Circuit 31 Hydraulic control unit

A7/?
Terminal 61
ABS
Control CAN-C (VSS on earlier
Stop lamp switch Unit models)
S9/1

Left Front VSS

ABS MIL
Right Front VSS
Diagnostic line to X11/4
Rear VSS (K-line) 17