Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Banks Exhaust Brake

[bromano676]

So I did a search here a week or so ago. I was looking for some info on the Banks Brake.



I was trying to find out how to activate the brake at lower then 30 MPH. I was attempting to try and find out if the cruise control wire could be faked out.



I was trying to avoid what some others have done which is ditch all of the Banks computers and such, and wire in their own switches.



I have a BD shifter switch but have not hooked it up yet.



In reading one of the posts I found that Banks offered a different computer that would keep the brake engaged to 0 MPH. I also found that some folks think Banks customer service is less then the best.



Here is my findings (so far)



Banks customer service had been real good to me. Their tech support was very friendly and very helpful. In the past. This time I just got tired of waiting on hold, so I can not comment on that. I emailed their tech support.



They took about three days to respond, but this is what they said. 0MPH is not an option, however 5/15 is an option. opposed to the 15/30 that I currently have. $45 for the reflash, and that includes return shipping.



I am waiting for a response on how to go about doing this, I will keep you guys informed.

 

[rgoodell]

i have a banks brake on my 2002 and it is activated by a micro switch undre the gas pedal and works all the way to o mph i have 6spd standard trans it will go out of adjustment from time to time but thats not a big problem for me.

 

[Allnew2Me]

I have a Banks brake on my truck and the one complaint I have had is just what you pointed out. In manual second gear (with an auto) I have to reach 30mph before the brake will activate and sometimes I want it to come on at a lower speed, especially when going down twisty steep roads. Not having the ability to activate the brake at 20mph was a problem so I came up with my own solution, I didn't know Banks had a reflash.

When we start the truck cold the water temp sensor turns on the brake to warm up faster and I figured out that I could apply a 5 volt supply to this wire at anytime and the brake would activate. By using a DPDT switch I am able to turn on the brake but still retain the safety of having it turn off when the fuel pedal is touched, which is in the programming of the CBC. The Banks brake also senses when the truck is moving and won't allow the brake to be on while moving with just the 5 volts applied to the water temp sensor so I had to place a relay in the system that turns off the speed sensor so that the controller thinks the truck is still. So now I can turn on the brake anytime I want to but still have it release when the fuel pedal is touched. With a manual transmission this is great, but with my auto I had to install a mystery switch to lock the TC also. It works but the reflash would have been much easier. Oh well.

 

[bromano676]

I got busy, and never had a chance to find out from Banls how to send the computer back. I was actually thinking of trying totrick the speed sensor wire. I like the temp thing though. I want easy, and I also don't want the computer touched, hmm?



I will see how long Banks thinks it will take.



I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Just curious, why do you want to keep the banks computer in the loop? My BD is wired directly to the BD shifter switch. On when I want, off when I want, regardless of speed. If you decide you want to try a pedal switch like rgoodell uses, I still have the one that came with my brake, although I have no idea where it is in the garage. You can have it if you want.



Sam

 

[Allnew2Me]

I spoke with Banks yesterday about getting the reflash. Call them and they will give you a RMA (returned merchandise authorization) number to use on the package so they know what to do with it when they get it. They told me about a week turnaround.



The reason to leave the CBC in the loop is so that when you touch the go pedal the brake disengages. You don't want to give it fuel with the brake closing off the exhaust.

 

[Ram4Sam]

.



The reason to leave the CBC in the loop is so that when you touch the go pedal the brake disengages. You don't want to give it fuel with the brake closing off the exhaust.

I was just wondering if there was a reason other than the obvious. I just keep my foot off the pedal when the brake is on. No extra computers to deal with, no pedal switches to keep adjusted, less parts to fail. Nice and simple and I can run it down to zero mph if I want.



Sam

 

[bromano676]

Thanks for the heads up about the RMA number, I will have to give them a call. They had told me $45 as well?



I like the computer because it engages for a cold start, and then turns off, which I wouldn't want to have it on all the time idleing. The APPS wire tap has worked well so far, I do need to solder the connection, but it has not been a problem.



Actually, it has helped me to trouble shoot bad APPS. when it did not engage, I new there was a voltage problem comming from the APPS.