Troubleshooting Curt Brake Controller That Wont Activate Brakes
Question:
Brake controller feeds current to plug constantly and when u plug up trailer it wont apply brakes. After u unplug trailer controller shows red light briefly then goes green . But it will not activate trailer brakes either by brake pedal or manual press of controller. It plugs into factory harness under dash of truck
asked by: Jimmybottenfield
Expert Reply:
Sounds like something is mis-wired either on your trailer or truck. Which pin has current all the time when the controller is plugged in? it should be the pin in the 5:00 position. You might also test the controller to as Curt brake controllers are more likely to have internal problems we are finding.
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.
I am including a link to a video that will show you how to test the wiring on a brake controller.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Venturer NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - 1-3 Axles - Time Delayed
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Time Delayed Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 3 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: 7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness for 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Q&A: How Does Curt TriFlex NEXT Brake Controller Mount
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Mounting Panel For Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty on 2007 Toyota Tacoma
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Install the Prodigy P3 Brake Controller on a 2024 Honda Pilot
- Article: 2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Q&A: Will Trailer Wiring 7-way Upgrade Kit HS381-9000 Fit Trailer With Only 6 Wires?
- Article: Using a Portable Generator on RV
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Install 7-Way/4-Way on 2024 Kia Telluride with LED Taillights
- Q&A: Which Connector Is Needed To Install Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller On a 2018 VW Atlas?