Trailer Brakes Only Engage When Using Manual Override on Brake Controller
Question:
Why doesnt brake engage with pedal only works manually
asked by: Gail
Expert Reply:
If the brakes on your trailer are only engaging when using the manual override on your brake controller, the most likely cause is on the red wire/stoplight circuit. I recommend testing the controller to see if you can find exactly where the issue is.
On the brake controller, you will want to sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller (leaving enough room to reconnect it) and then apply the manual slide on the controller. You can use a circuit tester like # 3808 to make sure you are getting output on the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the output wire properly, then apply the brake pedal. If the brake pedal does activate the brake output wire properly, then the issue is farther back, either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.
If either the brake pedal or manual slide are not functioning properly, you will want to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure there is power entering the brake controller on the black wire. Then on the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed. If you happen to have power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed, this most likely means that the red wire has been connected to the wrong circuit. This wire should be connected to the brake switch wire on the vehicle, which will only have power when the brake pedal is activated.
If everything checks out fine and the brake controller is grounded properly, then there may be an issue inside the brake controller itself.
If you are unable to resolve the issue, please let me know and I will be happy to look into this further. I have also attached a brake controller troubleshooting article that you might find helpful.
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