Troubleshooting Brake Controller that Locks Up Trailer Brakes when Connected

Question:

After the first initial hook up to my trailer the brake controller went through its cycle and everything was fine later on that day the brakes locked up when I unplug the the 6pin to 7blade adapter the brakes unlock....I took it by a certified Curt installer and they said the the trailer plug on truck is getting constant power...unhook the brake controller and it no longer has power ...they said I have a wire hooked up wrong...I installed according to the video u have posted with a blue 94 Chevy pickup

asked by: Kevin K

Expert Reply:

Let's test the connections you made when you installed the Curt Brake Controller part # C24VV.

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 either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.

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.