Low Voltage and Weak Brakes on Trailer

Question:

I installed Curts Triflex and I have only one small dot. This indicates that there is nothing connected, when I connect my trailer, the two small points come on, but even with the L.8 and 9.9 ... The brakes seem weak! I put my vehicle on drive and I press on my brake pedal and it goes anyway! I hear the brakes on the back that works though. Plus, my dealer has a 7-WAY RGB BLADE BRAKE CONTROL TESTER and the machine says I have almost no amp! Is it because the Triflex is digital or because it has an old brake control tester?

asked by: Yannick

Expert Reply:

In order to test the Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller part # C24VV, you will want to first turn the gain up to the maximum settings which on this controller is signified by "L.9" and "9.9". Once you have done so you will then need to sever the blue brake output wire about 6" from the back of the controller. Apply the manual override and and test the wire with a multimeter like part # PT89ZR. You should be getting a full 12 volts or close to it once the above has been completed. If not then the brake controller is bad and it will need to be replaced.

If you are getting a full 12 volts or close directly from the brake controller then you will want to reattach the wire and do the same thing with the brake output pin on the 7-way which is in the 5 o'clock position (see photo). If you are not getting a full 12 volts or close from this location then their is a loose connections and you will need to trace the blue brake output wire back from the vehicle's 7-way to the brake controller or run a new one entirely with part # 10-1-1 (per foot). If you are getting a full 12 volts at the back of the vehicle 7-way then you will want to move to the trailer side.

Check the blue brake output wire on the trailer side connector and again trace the wire back to the braking assemblies for proper connection or run a new wire entirely. You can also use the multimeter and test for voltage at varying points along the wire to see where the weak connection occurs. Checking the grounds on either brake assembly will also need to be completed.

If none of the above steps seem to fix your problem then please let me know and I would be happy to help further troubleshoot the problem you are having.

expert reply by: Conner L