Troubleshooting Brake Controller Not Showing anything On Display after 7-Way Replacement

Question:

So, I hooked up the 51110 Venturer, and the indicator lights worked as prescribed: red light disconnect, single green for standby, etc. I had to replace the 7 pin connector due to a short within the connector plug. I used a Curt 57674 as a replacement. The BK led light stays on, and there is no longer a red disconnect light nor a green standby light on the controller. However, the other lights are working as usual.

asked by: Raymond

Expert Reply:

Does the brake controller show a connection at all? If you test the brake controller pin of the 7-way when you apply the override lever does the test light of the # C57674 light up? If the brake controller is not powering on at all you may have shorted out it's wiring when installing the new connector.

You might check to verify that it has power and ground. You can test the controller as well.

Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly also then the problem is farther back either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.

If either the brake pedal or the manual slide are not functioning properly you will need to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure you have power entering the brake controller on the black wire. On the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed.

If there is power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed you have connected the red wire from the brake controller to the wrong circuit. You would then need to find the brake switch wire that has power ONLY when the brake pedal is activated.

If these connections check out and the brake controller is properly grounded then there is possibly a problem inside the brake controller.