Troubleshooting Newly Installed Brakes on 2000 Starcraft Tent Trailer

Question:

Just received new brakes from you folks, 7X 1.25 shoes, backing plate, and magnets. Installed but wont work. I have checked with test light and there is power when brakes are applied through the truck/trailer connection. My question is, what are the green devices in back of the backing plates where all the wires connect?

asked by: Dave B

Expert Reply:

If you tested the 7-Way at the rear of your tow vehicle then the next thing you will want to do is test the 7-Way on your trailer to make sure that power is getting to the brakes. Using a 12V battery, like the one from your tow vehicle, ground the negative terminal and then test the pin that corresponds to the brake controller pin on your tow vehicle side 7-Way. This is typically the pin in the 7 o'clock position on your trailer side connector (see attached picture).

If your Dexter Electric Brakes # 23-47-48 are not activating then you will want to use the same method above to test the brakes themselves, or check out the attached article on testing your brake magnets. If this works then there is a problem with the wiring somewhere on your trailer and you will need to search for any places where the wiring is broken, bent, exposed, or corroded. You can replace any sections or your entire brake wiring by using 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 and 10 Gauge Butt Connectors # DW05745-5.

I went out to the warehouse to see if I could locate the green device that you mentioned but I couldn't find anything. If you can send me a picture of what you are talking about I can look into it for you.

expert reply by: Jon G