Troubleshooting Tekonsha Voyager Operation on 1998 Chevy Silverado 1500

Question:

Greetings, I have a 98 Silverado 1500 towing a passport ultralight. Im currently unable to level the sensor. The green lite is on, but when you turn blinkers on it dimms and flashes with the blinkers. The trailer brakes work when you manually apply with slide, but dont seem to work from switch signal, when truck brakes are pressed. The blue wire has 7.5 to 8 vdc at connector. The black wire has 19 to 20vdc at connector, when trailer is plugged in. The running clearance lights on trailer when brakes are applied light up this seems abnormal. Im beginning to suspect the multifunctional turn signal switch... What are your thoughts? Tks for any help you can offer ps the red wire is good 12v when brakes applied

asked by: Gerald W

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller # 39510 sounds like it is working. The brake output sounds like it could be adjusted much higher for when applying brakes, but the issue is that the testing will not be accurate when not in motion except when using the manual override slide. The Voyager is a proportional controller so it will apply brakes in proportion to the deceleration of the tow vehicle. Since you get manual override and proper voltage on the red wire, it appears all is good with the controller itself. If the level adjustment you refer to is not able to change the gain then the ground is likely bad. The change when you turn blinkers on makes me further think there is a ground issue with the controller, so I recommend checking the white wire and ensuring the ground connection is bare metal to metal and clean of corrosion or debris.

There does appear to be an issue with the trailer lights with one of the running light features being powered by brake lights and turn signals. This is often due to corrosion in the trailer connection, so I recommend starting there. Clean the pins of your connection on the vehicle side with sand paper and do the same on the trailer plug side. Then use dielectric grease # 11755 to keep moisture and debris out of the connections. If that doesn't solve the issue then I recommend checking the ground connections on your trailer starting with the main ground to the frame then the tail lights which are often grounded through the mounting hardware and then to each clearance light if needed.

I've attached a couple articles to assist with further troubleshooting.

expert reply by: Jason S