Answers to Common Support Questions

  1. How easy are Air-Weigh scales to install?
  2. How do I calibrate my Air-Weigh scale?
  3. My Air-Weigh trailer scale doesn’t power up. Why?
  4. How do I get my trailer weights to show in the tractor display?
  5. Why does my scale say "0"?
  6. Why are my weights off?
  7. How do I calibrate my tag/lift/pusher axle?

If you have a question that does not appear in the above list, contact Air-Weigh Customer Support.

  1. How easy are Air-Weigh scales to install?

    The Tractor and Trailer Scales are fairly simple to install, usually in under 60 minutes. The installation requires some mounting of basic display components and then the rest of the installation is basically plug-and-play for sensor and power. All of the materials you will need for an installation are provided in our Tractor and Trailer Kits. There are some basic steps to installing the Air-Weigh On Board Scales:

    Tractor Installation
    • The standard mounting location of the round Scale Display is a 2-1/16 hole in the dash allowing for at least 3 inches of clearance behind the dash. However, the standard dash-mounting bracket can also be used to mount the scale above or below a level surface by screwing or bolting through the two bracket holes (optional universal bracket is also included for custom mounting applications).
    • If the vehicle does not have a suspension airline coming up to the dash (tractor does not have a PSI gauge currently in dash), route a ¼ inch airline from the suspension to the dash.
    • Attach the Air-Pressure Sensor(s) to the air-line(s) and connect the Sensor cable(s).
    • Mount the two-inch Scale Display in the dash.
    • Connect the wiring harness power and ground to the vehicle’s switched power and ground circuits. The preferred power source is the blue wire auxiliary circuit. Although any ignition-activated circuit in the fuse panel will do.
    • Connect the wiring harness to the Comlink and the Scale Display.
    • Connect the Sensor cable(s) to the Sensor & Comlink.
    • Turn on the key to self-test the system.
    • Mount the Comlink in a secure location behind the dash, using either wire ties, the existing 2-sided adhesive tape on the back of the Comlink or use the self-tapping screws or bolts through the matching holes.
    • Secure all cables and airlines, then re-assemble the dash.
    • Turn on the key and perform final system check. Note that the scale will not display accurate weights until it has been calibrated by entering both empty and heavy weights. (See calibration instructions).
    Trailer Installation
    • Trailer kits come with specified cable lengths based on determining the best location for installing the Trailer Scale and Sensor. For sliding suspension trailers route all cables along the vehicle’s existing umbilical harness to avoid damage when the slider is moved.
    • Locate the power source, which will be the ABS ECU, junction box, or other source such as marker lights circuit.
    • Determine the mounting location. Mount the scale, which can either be flush mounted or bolted to an optional van type or frame-rail style mounting bracket (mounting brackets are an option and not included in scale price). A 2-1/8 inch hole is required for flush mounting. Care must be taken not to place strain on the wires from the connector plug as a sharp bend could cause the environmental seal to fail.
    • Mount the Sensor directly onto one of the air bags of the suspension, removing the airline from the top of the bag and inserting the Sensor T-connector.
    • Re-attach the airline and insert the Sensor into the T-connector.
    • Connect the Trailer Scale’s power and ground, typically using the ABS T-Breakout.
  2. How do I calibrate my Air-Weigh scale?

    Entering the actual on-the-ground weight of each axle group into the Air-Weigh system completes calibration. For best calibration results there are a few important things to remember:

    • Park on Level Ground
    • Release the brakes on the tractor
    • Keep the engine running
    • Ideally, dump the air briefly in the suspensions and then fully re-inflate back to ride height.
    Steps for calibrating a tractor and trailer combination scale setup:
    • Drive to a certified scale that you trust while your trailer is empty. Drive across the scale and get your empty weights for the steer, drive, and trailer suspension.
    • Enter the empty weights from your weight ticket while you are still empty.
    • Pick up a load (the closer the load is to maximum legal capacity the better).
    • Return to a certified scale (preferably the same scale you got your empty weights from) and drive across the scale to get your heavy weights for your steer, drive, and trailer suspensions.
    • Enter the heavy weights into your system while you are in that exact loaded configuration.
    • Once all of the empty and heavy weights have been entered, you are finished calibrating and now your scales will provide you with accurate on-the-ground weights.

    There is no need to re-calibrate the scales unless something significant on the suspension changes, such as replacing a leveling valve or air bags.

    If your Air-Weigh trailer scale has a green sticker on the front, it has been pre-calibrated. Check for accuracy while loaded at a certified ground scale. If not accurate, perform the following steps:

    • Park on level ground
    • Release brakes, chock wheels to keep from rolling
    • Keep the engine running
    • Dump the air for 5-10 seconds and re-inflate back to ride height
    • Enter your empty weights with the vehicle empty; or enter heavy weights with the vehicle loaded per a weight ticket from the ground scale
  3. My Air-Weigh trailer scale doesn’t power up. Why?

    Unplug the connector from the back of the Air- Weigh Trailer ComLink. With the trailer powered, check for 12 V DC on the blue and white wires of the connector. Do not use the trailer chassis as a ground connection as this will not show if there is a ground wire fault for the trailer scale wiring.

  4. How do I get my trailer weights to show in the tractor display?

    Trailer weights should automatically be displayed at the tractor display providing the trailer scale is powered and connected to the tractor through the J560 cable (pigtail). If the previous is true, but the trailer weights still do not display, then check the following:

    • The Tractor scale needs to be powered off and on by the ignition switch, preferably from an AUX circuit in the fuse panel. Do not connect directly to the ignition switch as this is too noisy of a circuit to allow good communications. Communications can also be improved by connecting the tractor scale to the same circuit at the trailer scale – in most cases this would be the ABS circuit. Find the ABS circuit fuse in the fuse panel and tap tractor scale power from it.
    • In all communications issues you will be asked to check the power cable connections for signs of corrosion. Be sure to check the tractor side of the J560 (pigtail) as this is rarely disconnected and sometimes overlooked in the process.
    • If all the above have been checked and still no tractor/trailer communications then, if possible, drop and hook to another tractor, or use a different trailer, to see if the problem follows the scale.
    • Contact Air-Weigh Support for an RMA number to return scale if communication cannot be established.
  5. Why does my scale say "0"?

    Zero reports from the Air-Weigh scale can be caused by improper calibration, disconnected or broken sensor cables, wrong sensor or scale type selected or faulty sensors. Check for good calibration first by going into the diagnostic menu and verifying a proper calibration has been performed. Next check the AD readings to make sure the sensor information is being reported to the scale. AD readings of 409 mean the sensor info is not being communicated to the scale. Check for broken or disconnected sensor cables; check wire continuity, if necessary. Sensors rarely fail – replace as a last resort. Contact Air-Weigh Support for calibration help, cable replacements, or parts.

  6. Why are my weights off?

    If your Air-Weigh trailer scale has a green sticker on the front, it has been pre-calibrated. You may have alternately performed a manual calibration. In either case, check for accuracy while loaded at a certified ground scale. If not accurate, perform the procedure below:

    • Park on level ground
    • Release brakes, chock wheels to keep from rolling
    • Keep the engine running
    • Dump the air for 5-10 seconds and re-inflate back to ride height
    • Enter your empty weights with the vehicle empty; or enter heavy weights with the vehicle loaded per a weight ticket from the ground scale.
    If you have done a manual calibration and the weights are still inaccurate, check the performance of the height-control valve. Slow-filling valves may make a scale look inaccurate, though everything is working as it should. Also check to make sure your vehicle is returning to ride height. If either of these two cases applies, repairs or a change to a fast-fill valve will need to be done before the scale will read accurately.

  7. How do I calibrate my tag/lift/pusher axle?

    To use your Air-Weigh scale with a tag, lift or pusher axle you must calibrate and weigh with the axle in the same position. It can be either up or down, but usually the up position is selected so the weights are accurate with lighter loads, too. After loading, the total axle weight will be displayed for the axle group with the tag. As the tag axle is lowered, weight will be transferred to it. The total amount of weight on the axle group will be what was originally displayed, but will show as lighter. The remainder of the weight has been transferred to the tag axle.

    Calibrating with a tag axle down will only work if the tag axle is controlled by a height-control valve, whether it uses one of its own, or is working in conjunction with the drive axle height-control valve. If it is controlled with a manual air regulator the calibration and weighing must be done with the tag axle in the up position.