Will Brake Circuit on 7-Way Show Brake Output Power When Vehicle is Still

Question:

Do I suppose have power at end of connect when testing when nothing connect on a 04 navigator

asked by: Joseph M

Expert Reply:

In a typical vehicle 7-way socket the blue wire for the brake circuit (carried on the pin at the 5-o-clock position) will carry the trailer brake signal from the brake controller back to the 7-way socket.

Whether or not you will detect a signal on that blue wire when the Navigator is still and with no trailer connected depends on the type of controller. A time-delay type controller like # 39523 will send out its selected power output whether you are moving or still, either by pressing the brake pedal or the manual override lever. But with the more popular proportional type of brake controller, such as # TK90160, the unit will only send out a brake signal when you are still ONLY when you press the manual lever.

Proportional controllers use the vehicle's motion to trigger their output so if the vehicle is still there is nothing to trigger it except for the manual lever.

expert reply by: Adam R