Troubleshooting Brakes Not Working With Brake Controller on Jeep Grand Cherokee
Question:
Recently bought a used Jeep GC with factory tow package. I easily removed the Tekonsha brake controller from our old Expedition, but did not want to drill into the Jeep, so brought controller to the local mechanic for installation. Plugged in the trailer and all connections work except the brake controller. I was suspicious when I picked up the vehicle as when I step on the brake without the trailer hooked up, the green light on the controller briefly lights up, then goes off. Never happened with the Expy. . . . . Any ideas?
asked by: Pca
Expert Reply:
There is some troubleshooting I can help guide you with, and though you never mentioned what Tekonsha brake controller you have, I am going to assume it is the Voyager # 39510 because you mentioned the green light going on without your trailer connected.
If this is happening that means the Voyager is picking up a load on the blue brake output wire. This could be a number of issues but I would start by taking a look at the connector on your Grand Cherokee. If there is corrosion on it, which is green or white, that may be interfering and you would need to clean it out or replace the 7-way on your Jeep.
Should there not be any corrosion the next step is to sever the blue wire a couple inches from the back of your controller, then use a circuit tester such as # PTW2979 to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override; if it shows power at idle then there is an issue with the controller and it will need to be replaced.
If the controller tests fine then you will want to test the brake output pin on the 7-way socket; it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to find.
I have also attached some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers which I highly recommend checking out.
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Manual Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- Indicator Lights
- Up to 90 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Pollak Replacement 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector Socket - Vehicle End
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- Plug Only
- 7 Round - Blade
- Pollak
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller - Dash Knob - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Shop: Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers
- Search Results: ebrh~accna
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Article: Testing Brake Controls
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Article: Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installations
- Shop: Hayes Syncronizer Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Search Results: brake controller
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Search Results: etbc7
- Q&A: My Vehicle has a 4-Pin Trailer Plug, but Trailer has 7-Pin Trailer Plug
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Review RED24FR
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller - Dash Knob - 2 Braking Modes - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controller Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness Review
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)