Recommended Methods to Test Brake Controller Output on Chevrolet Truck

Question

Question:

Is there any thing that will test the brakes on a Chevy truck with factory installed brake controller ?

asked by: Glenn

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since you have a Chevy factory integrated controller you can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test the brake circuit pin on your 7-way.

The linked photo shows the functions on each pin on a standard 7-way installation and the arrows indicate where to ground the tester (7-o-clock position) and where to apply the tester's probe (5-o-clock position).

Have a helper press the manual override on the controller while you test for the output signal on the 7-way.

You can test the trailer brakes directly by disconnecting the trailer and applying 12V power to the appropriate pins on the 7-way plug; these are the pins that match up to the contacts on the truck's trailer socket. You can use the truck's battery or a spare 12V battery to apply this power directly to the trailer. Since this will be a full-power input your brakes should engage fully.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

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Answer 1

Yes, the temperatures you mentioned are normal. If you were getting over 200 degrees that would be a bad sign. But typically if all of the hubs are the same temperature you're good and it's only really an issue if one of the hubs is…

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Answer 2

There are many things that can affect the voltage on the brake output wire from your brake controller to your trailer brakes such as the power setting on your brake controller, how you are testing the wire and if you are testing it with the brakes or…

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Answer 3

Is the gain on the controller set all the way up? If it's set to 3.5v as the max that's as far as it will go with the lever or the brake pedal. Try maxing out all of the adjustment setting to see if that changes anything. What brake…

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Answer 4

I would be happy to help! There are a few simple things to check first, starting with that the braking power of the controller is not turned all the way up. On trailer brake controllers you want the power setting set so that you get the most braking…

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Answer 5

The first thing you will want to check is the output voltage on the brake controller. If it is set too low, it will not send enough power back to engage the trailer brakes. For testing purposes, it is easiest to set it to full power. Using a meter or…

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Answer 6

Since the trailer is brand new most likely the issue is that the brake assemblies aren't adjusted properly as this is the most common cause for weak brakes on a new trailer. If the assemblies are self-adjusting they will get tighter with every…

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Answer 7

Your 5200-lb Lippert axle 121066 uses inner bearing #25580, outer bearing #LM67048 and grease seal #GS-2250DL. For all of these you can use kit #BK3-300. I also recommend bearing packer tool #ALL647646 for a cleaner method of packing the new bearings…

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Answer 8

To determine why you do not have any power on the blue brake output wire, I recommend starting at your brake controller. First, make sure the brake controller is on and receiving power. Most brake controllers have 4 wires, blue (brake output to…

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Answer 9

First you want to test the brake output circuit on the 7-Way Plug with a circuit tester like part #PTW2992 with the manual override or brakes applied in the vehicle. If you are not testing the brake output circuit with either one of these activated…

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Answer 10

Since the Curt Brake Controller Wiring Circuit Tester #C51498 plugs into the vehicle side 7-way when it is disconnected from the tow vehicle it would not have ability to show any amperage draw on the individual brake assemblies. It can only show you…

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Answer 11

You are correct, you should only be getting output when the brake is applied, or the override switch is activated. It sounds like the controller might be bad, but to make sure, you should probably bench test it before tossing it. Use a circuit…

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Answer 12

Normally when you are having a trailer connection issue, it is because there is corrosion or debris in the connection. The 7-way trailer connector on your truck at the 5 o'clock pin position is the brake controller output. This pin is where the…

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Recommended Methods to Test Brake Controller Output on Chevrolet Truck

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