Troubleshooting Voyager Trailer Brake Controller in 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup

Question:

Have a 2006 dodgeram 2500 4x4 and just Bought a travel trailer and I cant get my brake controller to adjust I think its a tekonsha voyager brake controller. Anyway the problem Iam having is the brakes on the trailer are locking up and jerking my truck real bad like they pulsating but locking up with out me even pressing on my brakes in the Truck I had to have another person tow it home for me, but I tried for 35 miles constantly stopping trying to adjust the brake controller but it never changed but I never messed with the slide bar in the front of the brake controller I dont know if that has anything to do with it but if you could help it sure would deeply appreciated.

asked by: Felix T

Expert Reply:

The easiest way to troubleshoot your truck's Voyager trailer brake controller # 39510 is to hitch up a different trailer that is know to function correctly. This will let you isolate the issue to either the vehicle or trailer. Since the trailer seems to have functioned correctly when you had another vehicle tow it, we'll presume there is an issue on the vehicle side.

The most likely issue is corrosion on or inside the trailer socket on the truck, or in the wiring leading to it. Corrosion within a trailer connector can cause separate circuits to become bridged together and this could cause 12V power to lock up your trailer brakes. Visually inspect the socket and the plug connected to it for any signs of corrosive build-up, trapped dirt of other foreign material that could be causing two circuits to be bridged together. Check both front and back sides of the trailer socket.

If you have a circuit tester like # PTW2993 you can apply it to the brake circuit contact in the 7-way, the one at the 5-o-clock position as you view the socket. You can also refer to the linked photo for help finding this circuit. While you test have a helper press the manual override on the controller; you should only detect a signal on the brake circuit when the override is engaged. If the controller is outputting 12V power without the brake pedal or manual lever applied, then the controller is damaged internally and should be replaced with a unit like the P2 # 90885.

expert reply by: Adam R