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For 1990-2009 cars only

Exhaust Brake Description and Operation Without RPO LLY

Exhaust Brake System Operation

The exhaust brake system creates a restriction in the exhaust system that induces back pressure against the engine. This slows the vehicle using the engine a transmission. This system is also used for the Manual High Idle System. The exhaust brake system consists of the following components:

    • The engine control module (ECM)
    • An exhaust brake actuator
    • An exhaust brake actuator control solenoid (EBACS) valve
    • An exhaust brake relay
    • An exhaust brake switch
    • An exhaust brake valve located in the exhaust system
    • A system to supply compressed air to the exhaust brake system. The two air supply systems are as follows:
       - Vehicles equipped with air brakes supply the compressed air using the air brake supply system.
       - Vehicles not equipped with air brakes supply the compressed air using an auxiliary air compressor.

When the exhaust brake switch is turned ON, the ECM receives the signal and will operate the exhaust brake automatically when needed.

The exhaust brake is active under the following conditions:

    • Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor is at 0 percent.
    • Vehicle speed is more than 0 km/h (0 mph).
    • Cruise control is inactive
    • No APP or VSS DTCs are active.

Exhaust Brake System Components Description

Engine Control Module (ECM)

The engine control module (ECM) controls the exhaust brake through the exhaust brake relay. If the exhaust brake switch is ON the ECM will engage the exhaust brake automatically if the proper conditions exist. It will automatically turn off the exhaust brake if the accelerator is depressed. The ECM will also activate the exhaust brake to engage the manual high idle system. This System allows the engine to warm up faster.

Exhaust Brake Actuator

The exhaust brake actuator is attached to the exhaust brake valve in the exhaust system. When air pressure is applied to the actuator, it pushes a linkage attached to the valve in the exhaust pipe. This closes the exhaust brake, restricting exhaust flow.

Exhaust Brake Actuator Control Solenoid Valve

The exhaust brake actuator control valve is an electrical solenoid attached to a valve to control air to the exhaust brake actuator. When the ECM turns ON the exhaust brake relay, the relay energizes the exhaust brake actuator control solenoid valve. When voltage is applied to the solenoid of the exhaust brake actuator control valve, the valve opens, allow air pressure to the exhaust brake actuator.

Air Compressor and Air Lines

The air supply for the exhaust brake comes from an air pump. On vehicles equipped with air brakes, air is supplied by the air brake air pressure system. On vehicles not equipped with air brakes, an auxiliary air compressor supplies air pressure to the exhaust brake actuator control valve. this valve allows air to flow to the exhaust brake actuator when commanded ON by the controller. The air compressor is energized by a relay that is controlled by an air tank pressure switch. When the switch is closed it supplies voltage to the compressor relay. When the air pressure reaches 724-827 kPa (105-120 psi) the switch opens and the air compressor turns OFF.

Exhaust Brake Relay

The ECM grounds the control circuit of the exhaust brake relay. this allow voltage to the exhaust brake actuator control solenoid valve.

Exhaust Brake Switch

The exhaust brake switch is located on the instrument panel, to the right of the steering column. When turned On, the switch completes a ground circuit to the ECM. This ground is the request signal to the ECM to allow exhaust brake operation.

Exhaust Brake (Valve)

The exhaust brake is the valve inside the exhaust pipe near the transmission. It is opened and closed by the exhaust brake actuator. There is a small opening in the valve that protects the engine from damage when the exhaust gas flow is too high, and allows the engine to idle if the valve sticks closed.

Exhaust Brake Description and Operation With RPO LLY

Exhaust Brake System Operation

The exhaust brake system creates a restriction in the exhaust system that induces back pressure against the engine. This slows the vehicle using the engine and transmission. This system is also used for the Manual High Idle System. The exhaust brake system consists of the following components:

    • The engine control module (ECM)
    • An exhaust brake actuator
    • An exhaust brake actuator control solenoid (EBACS) valve
    • An exhaust brake relay
    • An exhaust brake switch
    • An exhaust brake valve located in the exhaust system just forward of the catalytic converter
    • A telltale lamp on the driver information center (DIC)
    • Two different systems to supply compressed air to the exhaust brake system--The 2 air supply systems are as follows:
       - Vehicles equipped with air brakes supply the compressed air using the air brake supply system.
       - Vehicles not equipped with air brakes supply the compressed air using an auxiliary air compressor.

When the exhaust brake switch is turned ON, the ECM receives the signal and will operate the exhaust brake automatically when needed.

The exhaust brake is active under the following conditions:

    • The accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor is at 0 percent.
    • The vehicle speed is more than 25 km/h (15 mph).
    • The cruise control is inactive.
    • No APP or vehicle speed sensor (VSS) DTCs are active.
    • The automatic transmission fluid temperature (TFT) is above 5°C (41°F).

Exhaust Brake System Components Description

Engine Control Module (ECM)

The engine control module (ECM) controls the exhaust brake through the exhaust brake relay. If the exhaust brake switch is ON, the ECM will engage the exhaust brake automatically if the proper conditions exist. It will automatically turn OFF the exhaust brake if the accelerator is depressed. The ECM will also activate the exhaust brake to engage the manual high idle system. This system allows the engine to warm up faster.

Exhaust Brake Actuator

The exhaust brake actuator is attached to the exhaust brake valve in the exhaust system. When air pressure is applied to the actuator, it pushes a linkage attached to the valve in the exhaust pipe. This closes the exhaust brake, restricting exhaust flow.

Exhaust Brake Actuator Control Solenoid Valve

The exhaust brake actuator control (EABC) valve is an electrical solenoid attached to a valve to control air to the exhaust brake actuator. When the ECM turns ON the exhaust brake relay, the relay energizes the exhaust brake actuator control solenoid valve. When voltage is applied to the solenoid of the exhaust brake actuator control valve, the valve opens, allowing air pressure from the air tank to the exhaust brake actuator.

Air Compressor and Air Lines

The air supply for the exhaust brake comes from an air pump. On vehicles equipped with air brakes, air is supplied by the air brake air pressure system. On vehicles not equipped with air brakes, an auxiliary air compressor supplies air pressure to the exhaust brake actuator control valve. This valve allows air to flow to the exhaust brake actuator when commanded ON by the controller. The air compressor is energized by a relay that is controlled by an air tank pressure switch. When the switch is closed, it supplies voltage to the compressor relay. When the air pressure reaches 724-827 kPa (105-120 psi), the switch opens and the air compressor turns OFF.

Exhaust Brake Relay

The ECM grounds the control circuit of the exhaust brake relay. This action supplies voltage to the exhaust brake actuator control solenoid (EBACS) valve.

Exhaust Brake Switch

The exhaust brake switch is located on the instrument panel (I/P), to the right of the steering column. When turned ON, the switch completes a ground circuit to the ECM. This ground is the request signal to the ECM to allow exhaust brake operation.

Exhaust Brake Valve

The exhaust brake is the valve inside the exhaust pipe near the transmission. It is opened and closed by the exhaust brake actuator. There is a small opening in the valve that protects the engine from damage when the exhaust gas flow is too high, and allows the engine to idle if the valve sticks closed.

Telltale Lamp

The ECM energizes the telltale lamp on the driver information center (DIC) when the exhaust brake system is active. The ECM also energizes the telltale lamp when the engine is in manual high idle mode. Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.