Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes Locking Up When Used

Question:

Trailer Brakes lock up when brakes are pressed and trailer brake controller says not connected. 2000 Chevy 1500.New trailer, trailer brakes lock up when used.

asked by: Mack

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a short somewhere in your system. I recommend cleaning your connection points on both your trailer and truck and using some dielectric grease like # 11755 to keep those connections from moisture or corrosion in the future.

If simply cleaning the terminals does not allow the trailer to be seen as connected, there may be a wiring connection issue or if you have a trailer with LED lights, not enough of a draw on the circuit to recognize connection. If this is the case use Load-Resistors # DI34ZR on the brake wires of your trailer. This will help the connection to be seen by your controller.

If that isn't the issue, you have 12V going to your brakes, so you most likely either have a brake controller that needs adjusting or you have a bad ground on those brake magnets, Check the ground on each magnet for a clean metal to metal connection. If you still have issues after that, trace your brake power wires with a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to find a short and replace wire as needed.

expert reply by: Jason S