Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Controller Without Output Function

Question:

control box stopped working does not show any numbers when pressing the brakes or the override. replaced the box already with the harness vehicle is a 2005 f150 also checked the connector both ends are free of corrosion trailer brakes getting power and 12v constant is there ground is good checked all this with test light model is a Reese Towpower 74378 Pilot Brake Controller

asked by: Marco A

Expert Reply:

The issue may be in the way you are testing the brake controller. If you don't have a trailer connected when testing the Pilot 2-6 Brake Electronic Brake Controller - Time Delayed # 80550, you will need to connect an incandescent circuit tester like # PTW2993 to the 5 o'clock pin. This will give a power draw to the brake controller output telling the controller there is a trailer connected. An LED circuit tester will not have the draw on that circuit needed to register as a trailer connected to wake up the brake controller.

Because the pilot brake controller is a time-delayed unit and not a proportional unit, it should register the brake pedal even when testing with a circuit tester. A proportional brake controller would only register with the manual override and not the brake pedal because it would recognize the vehicle is not moving and that no brake output is required when pressing the brake pedal at a stop.

expert reply by: Jason S