Troubleshooting Hopkins Impulse Brake Controller

Question:

what is the E-1 error mean on Impulse 47235 controller. just got truck

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

The error code E-1 on a Hopkins Impulse brake controller means there is not a trailer connected. If no trailer is connected you will continue to get the E-1 code. If you have a trailer connected and it is still displaying E-1 you likely have a short on the brake output circuit, the blue wire.

Start by inspecting the 7-way trailer connectors on both your truck and trailer. Make sure they're clean of debris and corrosion. Check both the pins on the outside of each connector, as well as where the wiring goes into the back of it. If everything is clean, use a circuit tester, like # PTW2993, to check for power on the brake circuit pin on the truck's 7-way while somone engages the manual lever on the controller. This will be the pin in the 5 O'clock position when looking into the connector. If you show power here, then the problem will be in the trailer's wiring. If you don't read anything here the then you'll need to inspect the wiring from the truck's 7-way to the brake controller. If you don't find any damaged wire, then cut the blue wire about 6 inches from the controller and test with the circuit tester again. If you still get nothing the controller is likely bad.

If you do need a new brake controller, I suggest the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885. It's one of our top sellers because of its ease of use and reliability. Check out the video I've attached.

expert reply by: Charles S