ABS Unit -DRB III Question to the Specialists

[Wayne M.]

Ozy, I really feel what you're going through. So far it's been only a bad dream for me, but you are truly walking with the devil now. I saw the auto ingenuity tool, but nobody could answer these questions. We share the same skepticisms with this emulator. That's the reason for my previous skeptical post before that I beat up on. We KNOW FOR SURE a actual DRB is the real McCoy!

This is a real story, and happened yesterday. Im working on a newer Ford Econoline van at my job. It has issues with the stability control and transmission (converter clutch modulation, among other things) and we also have Fords IDS, which is fords factory tool. A PC based emulator. Well the subscription ran out. It's hung in red tape at HQ. Anyway we must show an effort to diagnose, so we're using an alternative OTC tool, and a innova consumer model scanner. It's just futile. There's no replacement for the proper equipment!

 

[Ozymandias]

Of course the DRBIII is the solution - as long as it works properly, but we all know that it tends to break easily.
For you in America then you let it repair, for me in Europe there is no one (except maybe Chrysler) that will repair it for you.

So the 2495.-$ is a way to go for me - but I want at least one reference from someone that is using it it real life before I spend that money on.

 

[cerberusiam]

I would call and put the question at hand to them and ask for references. About all you can do is get some idea of support and references from them. Yes, a real DRB III is the solution but there are potential issues as they are old and not supported. Fixing them will be an issue and updates are non-existent.

Every place I have looked for the factory tools is pointing back to Controller Technologies as the solution for the DRB III as it is discontinued in so many lines. All you can do is due dilligence or, as you say, have a $5k planter in your driveway.

 

[Ozymandias]

Is Controller Technologies the manufacturer of this part or just a dealer?
I could connect by email with them anyway.

But I think it tells me something that I as a Swiss shall be the guinea pig for it an no one here at TDR uses this product.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just to finish this Thread.
My Truck is back on the road, still no new ABS Unit.
A Russian Electronics Genie repaired my broken Unit within 2 Hours with parts from the Ebay-Unit.


Awesome what that Guy is be able to do without any Documentation about the part he has in the hands. Can't believe it.

 

[p-Bar]

Excellent just like the Cubans keeping those 56 bel-aire chevys running

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow Ozy, great news there! That Russian is pretty smart. Glad your truck is on the road again!

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, I'm happy to got my truck back - but I'm sad other way that I needed to go with a bush-fix on a ten years truck.
For me now a world has gone, I've never-ever expect something from a US Truck, that's more like KIA other DAEWOO behavior.

 

[cerberusiam]

I've never-ever expect something from a US Truck, that's more like KIA other DAEWOO behavior.

7 years is all that is required by law to maintain OE parts, sucks but that is reality. Dodge tried the other way and went broke doing it. We are a throw away society that wants changes and updates every 3 years or fickleness will cause a brand change. Add to that the increasing emissions requirments and DOT rulings and one is lucky if 7 years is long enough for OE parts to stay around.

 

[Wayne M.]

I guarantee the aftermarket will step in to help along. These trucks are not old enough yet, but they're getting there. They're definitely popular enough.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just to close this Thread.

Yesterday I got my brand new out of the Box CAB from my Dealer, OEM, just 3 months to late.
So we see, it's still available but within o horrible time frame.

I hold this device as a spare in my Workshop because the repaired one works flawlessly.