Verify the Included Items

• Sentinel Exhaust Brake System™ Assembly

• (1) BM2000 Main Harness with Control Box

• (1) Secondary Jumper Harness

• (1) Switch

• (2) Band Clamps

• Zip Ties

• Wire Connectors

• Shrink Tube

• PosiTap

Safety Information

• Park vehicle on level ground and set parking brake.

• Allow exhaust system to cool before beginning work.

• Disconnect negative battery cable(s).

• Use protective eyewear and gloves.

Required Tools & Supplies

• Tape measure

• Marker or scribe

• Sawzall or exhaust pipe cutter

• Grinder or file

• Welder or heavy-duty exhaust clamps

• Drill with 13/16" (20 mm) bit

• Wire strippers and crimpers

• Electrical tape & zip ties

• 9/16" End Wrench

• 9/16" Socket & Ratchet

Exhaust Brake Installation

1. Measure the overall length of your Sentinel Exhaust Brake and subtract 4" (2" on each end) to get the measurement you will cut out of your exhaust pipe. (E.g., If the Sentinel Exhaust brake is 11" in length you will cut out 7" out of your exhaust pipe.)

   

   

2. Locate a suitable place on your exhaust pipe to install the Sentinel Exhaust Brake. (Just after the down pipe is recommended.) Mark your exhaust pipe and cut out exhaust pipe section. (Grind or file the ends of the cut pipe so the Sentinel Exhaust Brake will slide on easily.)

3. Slide the Sentinel Exhaust Brake into the cut-out section. (Ensure that your exhaust pipe on each end is fully slid into the Sentinel Exhaust Brake.)

4. Clamp or weld both ends of the Sentinel Exhaust Brake to the exhaust pipes. (If clamping, retorque clamps after exhaust system has been hot at least once.) Note: The Sentinel Exhaust Brake will NOT build optimal back pressure if exhaust leaks are present. Make sure clamps are tight and no leaks between the exhaust brake and the engine exist (welding is recommended if capable).

5. Connect jumper harness to brake connector and safely route jumper harness up the frame rail and across the firewall in the engine compartment. (Ensure that jumper harness will not burn or chafe on any components.)

6. Route the remaining jumper harness through the driver side firewall into the cab. (Usually, the jumper harness can be slipped through an existing harness grommet without too much hassle.)

7. Secure jumper harness with zip ties and shrink tube to ensure it does not come apart. (Ensure that jumper harness will not burn or chafe on any components.)

8. Connect main harness to jumper harness and shrink tube connectors.

9. Connect the red wire on main harness to a KEY-ON 12-volt power. IMPORTANT – Main harness must be connected to KEY-ON power not constant power! (KEY-ON power is a circuit that has 12V power when the key is on and does not have any power when the key is off)

10. Connect black wire on main harness to a solid chassis ground.

11. Drill a 13/16 or 20mm hole in dash for switch. (Make sure the switch will be located in an accessible location.)

12. Remove switch from harness, remove switch mounting nut and install the switch using the nut. (Make sure the switch nut is snugged tight- Do not over tighten.) NOTE: The switch wires can easily be disconnected from switch by pressing the side tab on the connectors. DO NOT tug or forcibly pull the wires off of the switch.

13. Reconnect the harness to the switch (make sure connector clips together).

14. Secure main harness and control box using zip ties. (Ensure the main harness will not rub or chafe on any other components.)

15. Connect the GREEN wire coming from the controller to the throttle pedal or throttle micro switch. IF YOU WISH TO INSTALL THE SENTINEL EXHUAST BRAKE FOR MANUAL USE ONLY, connect the green wire to ground. When the green wire is connected to ground the Sentinel Exhaust Brake will open and close only with the dash switch. Be sure to review our Accelerator Pedal (Green Wire) Installation Instructions below. Installing throttle automation is recommended (rather than manual operation) to ensure the longevity of the exhaust brake and to prevent potential warranty issues.

16. Calibration - Start engine, with engine at idle cycle the dash switch quickly 6 times and wait 30 seconds. (Exhaust brake will not function properly without being calibrated to your vehicle)

TURN EXHAUST BRAKE OFF WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL

Final Steps

Control Box & Harness

• Secure control box and harness with zip ties.

• Ensure harness does not rub or chafe.

Reconnect Battery

• Restore power and check that the controller powers up with ignition ON. (Dash switch will illuminate when on and key on)

Calibration, Testing & Verification

• Start engine, with engine at idle cycle the dash switch quickly 6 times and wait 30 seconds. (Exhaust brake will not function properly without being calibrated to your vehicle)

• After calibration, with dash switch ON — braking should engage.

• Test proper function by lightly pressing accelerator — brake should immediately disengage before RPMs rise, confirming proper automation.

• Inspect for exhaust leaks and secure all wiring.

Note - If exhaust brake does not function properly, calibrate again by cycling the dash switch quickly 6 times at idle and waiting 30 seconds.

Operation Instructions

• When going downhill or coming to a long stop, push the Sentinel Exhaust Brake button to the down position (the light should illuminate). This will close the valve, engaging the exhaust brake. (Note: The controller on the main harness will ensure the exhaust brake fully closes.)

• To disengage the Sentinel Exhaust Brake System, push the button to the up position (the light should turn off). This will open the exhaust valve, disengaging the exhaust brake. (Note: The controller on the main harness will ensure the exhaust brake fully opens.)

• For manual operation, push the button down when exhaust braking is desired and push the button up when exhaust braking is not desired or when you are accelerating the vehicle. DO NOT accelerate vehicle with exhaust brake on (button in down position and light illuminated).

• For automatic operation, push the button to the down position and the exhaust brake will engage immediately. With the exhaust brake on (button in down position and light illuminated), the Sentinel Exhaust Brake will disengage automatically when you press the throttle pedal, allowing you to leave the exhaust brake switch on while the vehicle in accelerating. IMPORTANT: Automatic operation works ONLY if the exhaust brake is wired into the throttle pedal, if it is not, DO NOT accelerate with exhaust brake on (button in down position and light illuminated).

• When exhaust braking is no longer desired, push the switch off (light will turn off). This will open the valve and disengage the exhaust brake.

• With automatic transmissions the Sentinel Exhaust Brake performs optimally ONLY in Tow/Haul mode. (Tow/Haul mode locks up the torque converter on your automatic transmission so down-shifting is similar to a manual transmission, causing your exhaust brake to slow you down using the powertrain.

• TURN EXHAUST BRAKE OFF WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL