Time Delayed Brake Controller Troubleshooting on a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado

Question:

I have a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and bought a new trailer with brakes. I bought a Reese Pilot Brake controller and installed it. The brakes on the trailer will work when the manual lever is pressed but will not work when the brake pedal is pressed. it shows that the trailer is connected. but when pressing the pedal I get no numbers on the controller for voltage going to the trailer. The Controller also stays on all the time even when the truck is turned off and will only shut off when the trailer is disconnected.

asked by: Luke D

Expert Reply:

The first thing you will want to do is use a circuit tester like the Circuit Tester part # PTW2993 in order to test the stop light switch wire on your vehicle's brake pedal while the brake pedal is depressed. You will need to be spliced into the wire that only has power while the brake pedal is depressed. If the wire is receiving power, then the brake controller is faulty and will need to be replaced. If the wire is not receiving power, then you will first want to check the stop light switch fuse in your vehicle's engine bay fuse box. If the fuse is still good, I recommend installing a new stop light switch like the RoadMaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751452 as the 2008 Chevrolet Silverados are notorious for having an unreliable stop light switch circuit. If you want to replace your brake controller, I recommend using the Hayes Engage Trailer Brake Controller part # HA81760 as it has built-in safeguards to protect your vehicle and trailer.

Brake controllers go into a sleep mode after about 15 minutes of it sensing no movement. If you peek through the window after 15 minutes then it should be in sleep mode. Opening the door or causing movement to the truck could cause it to wake back up.

expert reply by: Conner L