Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Apply Themselves Using the Primus IQ

Question:

draw tite 1-STOP IQ BRAKE CONTROLLER THEVOLTAGE ON THE UNIT FLUCTUATES WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL GROUNDS CHECK FINE WITH OHM METER 2010 SUBURBAN 4X4

asked by: JEFF

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160 should definitely not be sending a signal until your brake pedal is pressed. One possibility is that the Black wire and the Red wire on the brake controller were installed to the opposite functions. Be sure to check that the controller was installed correctly.

The next thing that you will want to do is to check the connector on both your 2010 Chevrolet Suburban and your trailer. Make sure that they are clean and free or debris or corrosion. If they look good, then you will want to use a Circuit Tester # PTW2992 or your OHM meter to check the power on the brake controller pin in the 5 o'clock position (see attached picture). and the correlating pin on the trailer side. To check the Suburban side connector set the brake controller to max power and use the manual override switch.

To test your trailer side you will want to take a battery, like the 12V battery from your Suburban, and test the brake controller pin for your trailer.

If the problem is on your tow vehicle side, then you will want to cut the brake controller wire that goes to your brake controller pin on your 7-Way about 6 inches from the controller and test it with your tester. If that works fine then you have a problem with the wiring on your Suburban and you will want to check your wiring for any wire that is damaged, exposed, corroded, or even bent. You can replace it using 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 and Butt Connectors # DW05745-5.

If the problem seems to be on your trailer, then you will want to check the wiring just like you did on your Suburban using the same replacement parts.