Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Lock Up Immediately when Brake Pedal is Pressed

Question:

when i push the break pedal the trailer breaks lock up.If i use the manual over ride the breaks work fine.

asked by: Dan L

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the stop/turn signal of your trailer wiring is shorting to the brake output circuit and when you apply the brake pedal 12 volts is being applied to the brake assemblies and locking them up. I would suspect that one of your blinkers causes the trailer brakes to lock up intermittently as well.

Check the trailer wiring of both your vehicle and trailer looking for any shorts such as cut or exposed wire and/or corrosion and fix as necessary.

expert reply by: Jameson C