Troubleshooting Intermittent Issues on a Pilot 2 Time Delayed Brake Controller

Question:

The problem I experience is when I press the brake pedal sometimes the brakes work fine other times theyll delay and then it suddenly apply and on other times theyll work fine and then release. The voltages on the Reese pilot controller correspond with those changes. I am slowly going through all of the connections to make sure theyre good is there any place you would suspectthat I should definitely check

asked by: Alan

Expert Reply:

I would start by checking at your 7-Way connector. You need to first find out if the problem is on your tow vehicle or on your trailer. You will need a circuit tester, something like # PTW2993.

On your 7-Way at the rear of your tow vehicle, test the connection that is sending power to your brakes, this is the pin in the 5 O'clock position. You'll need someone in the vehicle pressing on the brakes to test. If everything tests fine then the problem is with your trailer and you will want to inspect the wiring going to the brake assemblies and make sure the brake assemblies are grounded properly. If you experience the same intermittent issues then the issue is on the tow vehicle.

If you find it's the tow vehicle, then you'll want to cut and test the blue wire of the Pilot 2 Brake Controller # 80550 about 6 inches behind the unit. If you have the same intermittent issues again then the brake controller itself is malfunctioning and will need to be replaced. If you don't have any issues there then I recommend running a new wire from there to the 7-Way connection at the rear of the vehicle as the issue is likely on that wire somewhere between the brake controller and the trailer connector.

expert reply by: Charles S