Troubleshooting No Power To Trailer Brake Controller on 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Harness # 3021-P

Question:

We recieved the brake controller and wiring adapter that we purchased in lighting fast time thank you,,,,but when you plug it into the factory wiring plug on our 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 there is no power?

asked by: Jennifer B

Expert Reply:

It is possible that even with a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector and tow package on the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 that you may still need to insert some fuses in the appropriate locations in the power distribution box under the hood to power the brake controller.

If you look in the truck owner's manual, it will show the location of the tow package fuses. If you check in the power distribution box, you may find those fuses missing so to power the tow package, you would insert the appropriately sized fuses in the specified locations.

If you find that all the fuses are there and installed correctly, I recommend checking the pins on the wiring harness port that the 3021-P plugs into using a circuit tester like # PTW2993. If looking at the face of the port, the 12-volt power for the brake controller should be in the upper left position. If there is no power running to that pin, then something is wrong with the truck wiring.

If there is power to the pin, make sure the harness is pinned correctly to match the port and adjust as necessary. After plugging the harness into the port, probe the black wire behind the plug with the circuit tester and again where the other end plugs into the brake controller. This will check for power running through the harness.

If power is present at the pin but not running through the harness, then you know you have a bad harness. If power is running through the harness but the brake controller does not power on, then something is wrong with the internal circuitry of the brake controller, and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Michael H