Troubleshooting Pulsing Trailer Brakes Using a Hidden Hitch Pilot Brake Controller

Question:

I have brake pulse at slow speed using brake pedal,with no flashers or turn signals on.Will a pulse preventer stop this? I have a 2002 dodge dakota,with a pilot controler.

asked by: Tom P

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Hidden Hitch about the problems you are having with the Pilot Brake Controller, # 80550. First, a pulse preventer will not be needed because the problem you are describing does not seem symptomatic of the issues that would necessitate a pulse preventer.

What you can do is test the brake controller with a multimeter, like # PT89ZR, with the vehicle sitting still. You should get a constant 12 volts on the red wire when you step on the brakes and no voltage when not stepping on the brakes. If the voltage jumps up and down with the brake pressed, you may have a bad connection on the red wire that will need to be fixed.

If you find that the red wire is showing the correct voltage, test the blue wire going out of the brake controller. I it shows the correct voltage going out and does not go up and down (pulse) then you can move on for further testing. If it does not show voltage or pulses then there is something wrong with the internal circuitry and the brake controller will need to be replaced.

If the red and blue wires are both correct, move on to testing the pins at the 7-Way while someone sits in the truck and applies the brake. If voltage is going thorough as it should, then you know the problem must be on the trailer side. If it is not coming through like it should then you know there is a wiring issue somewhere between the connector and the brake controller and you will have to track it down.

On the trailer side, you can check to make sure the brake parts are in good working order and are not overly worn or unevenly worn. You can also visually inspect the brake magnets and if you see the windings coming through they will need to be replaced. You will also want to make sure the magnet grounds are intact and connected to a bare metal surface and that the wiring to the magnets is showing the correct voltage.

From there you can do further testing on the brake magnets. I have included a link to an FAQ article should you need to further test the magnets.

expert reply by: Michael H