Troubleshooting Brake Controller that Won't Work with Brake Pedal

Question

Question:

I recently installed the Insight Flex on my 2014 Silverado 1500. It consistantly shows a trailer connected light even with no trailer. The manua lever works to stop trailer, but when I press vehicle brake pedal, nothing. Windering what this might be. Thanks for your help.

asked by: David

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Expert Reply:

If a brake controller is detecting a trailer connected when there isn't one connected that indicates that there is a load somewhere on the brake output circuit that is confusing the controller. Typically this is corrosion on the 7-way and cleaning the pins with fine grit sandpaper will do the trick.

If a controller will work with the override but not with the brake pedal that indicates a problem with the red (stoplight circuit) wire of the controller. What you will need to do is check to make sure that the red wire of the controller is securely connected to a circuit that only sees voltage when the brakes are applied.

I also attached a help article on troubleshooting brake controllers.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

Actually that is a possibility. Proportional brake controllers will not engage the brakes with the pedal unless the tow vehicle is in motion. Another possibility is the red wire from the brake controller isn't connected correctly. It needs to be…

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Answer 2

It is possible that an error in the BCM could cause problems with the brake controller. Usually when a brake controller does not work with the brake pedal it is related to the red brake controller wire. The red wire receives input from the brake…

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Answer 3

Since the controller is activating the trailer brakes when you use the manual override that means that the trailer battery not being connected is not the problem. Both the brake pedal and the manual override will tell the controller to send back…

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Answer 4

When a trailer with electric brakes is connected to a vehicle that has a brake controller that brake controller is sensing the draw of the brake magnets by sending back a small amount of voltage on the blue wire. The brake controller also get's…

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Answer 5

It's hard to say if the #6562 will work with your factory Chevy brake controller. The only ones we can say for certain will work with this tester are the Tekonsha brake controllers and the integrated Ford controllers.

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Answer 6

Factory integrated brake controllers are sort of hit and miss in terms of compatibility with items such as the Tekonsha emulator, #6562. It all depends on the power draw required to tell the integrated brake controller there is a trailer connected.…

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Answer 7

All the brake controller needs to sense a trailer connection so that you can test it is a slight amperage draw on the output circuit. For that you can use a circuit tester like the part #PTW2993 with one pin grounded and the other on the output pin.…

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Answer 8

There are some tests you can do to determine where the problem is: brake controller, truck, or trailer. First, in the truck cab you will need to sever the blue wire several inches from the back of the controller. Then use a circuit tester such as…

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Answer 9

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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