Troubleshooting Electric Drum Brakes Locking When Backing Up  

Question:

Expert Reply:

For your electric brakes to function in reverse they are getting power from your reverse light circuit. Because they worked fine driving forward and then had issue when you shifted to reverse it sounds like power might be bleeding over from that reverse light pin on your 7-way.

Once you unplugged the 7-way that should have completely released the power if that was the issue, so it appears you may have an issue with your trailer battery or breakaway battery bleeding into that brake circuit. If your breakaway pin was pulled accidentally that would account for your issue and returning the pin should release your brakes. Also if that is the issue and your trailer has been sitting then the breakaway battery should wear down after a short time. A breakaway battery needs to be able to give full power to your brakes for a minimum of 15 minutes.

I recommend using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test your brake magnets. Then trace that wire while still unplugged from your vehicle to find where the short is coming from. You can probe the wire as needed to test for power to determine the source. When unplugged from your vehicle you will only have a couple possibilities of where power is coming from to isolate that circuit.

If the issue isn't electrical, then the brake assemblies must have a mechanical issue so you will need to pull your hubs to determine the cause as they should be completely free backing without any electricity. I've attached a couple help articles to help isolate your issue.

expert reply by: Jason S

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