Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Brake Controller
Question:
my traile brakes are not very effective even if i turn the gain to maximum i tested them by pulling the emergency break away pin and they lock up very well. i have adjusted them several times to see if i have them tight enough and all seems well shouldnt they have the ability to lock up when adjusting the gain to maximum?
asked by: Clarence
Expert Reply:
Since your brakes will lock up when pulling the breakaway pin that would indicate that the problem is not on the trailer side of the equation and would be on the tow vehicle.
Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly also then the problem is farther back in the vehicle wiring.
If either the brake pedal or the manual slide are not functioning properly you will need to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure you have power entering the brake controller on the black wire. On the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed.
If there is power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed you have connected the red wire from the brake controller to the wrong circuit. You would then need to find the brake switch wire that has power ONLY when the brake pedal is activated.
If these connections check out and the brake controller is properly grounded then there is possibly a problem inside the brake controller.
I am including a link to a video that will show you how to test the wiring on a brake controller.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- LH
- 6000 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Manual Adjust
- 12 x 2 Inch Drum
- Dexter
more information >
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