Troubleshooting Curt Echo Brake Controller that Only Works with Manual Override

Question

Question:

I have the controller installed but it shows on the phone the brakes are activated. Once the brake pedal is pressed no movement on the brake ring on the app.works when manually activate

asked by: Brad M

0

Expert Reply:

That would indicate there is something wrong with your trailer wiring most likely. You need to verify that both stop/turn signal circuits on your vehicle 7-way are working like they should. These are the circuits that tell the Curt Echo Mobile # C51180 you are applying the brakes. So if the controller isn't activating like it should that's where the problem would be. Typically this issue is caused by corrosion on the pins of the 7-way which can be sanded off but it could also be caused by a blown fuse.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Bruce S.

4/13/2024

I have the same issue in that I can manually apply EOH trailer brakes with the app big red button however there is no braking on the trailer when pushing the pedal. My trailer is new only 2 weeks off the lot and my friend with a 2023 Chevy truck with a factory brake controller can tow my trailer and actuate the trailer brakes and has normal braking function while driving. Obviously nothing wrong with the trailer. So what could be the issue? Faulty Curt controller?

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Bruce S.

4/13/2024

I didnt mention that I followed all the set up steps achieved green light status that indicates trailer connected and curt controller paired to phone.

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Jameson C.

4/15/2024

@BruceS Do the brake lights of the trailer function? Most likely it's corrosion on the trailer wiring pins that you need to clean off but if the stoplights aren't both working that would verify this.

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Lisa A.

8/9/2020

My echo brake controller is not lighting up to pair with bluetooth. This morning it come on, now nothing... No light at all

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Jon G.

8/19/2020

If you look at the instructions for the Curt Echo # C51180 if the LED does not light then the Echo isn't getting power or there is no ground for the vehicle 7-Way. Check the power and ground for your vehicle side 7-Way and make sure that your tow vehicle has the trailer mode activated. Also check to see if your trailer needs to be connected for your vehicle to send power back to the 7-Way.

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Austin

7/8/2020

My Echo does not seem to get power when I plug it in. My trailer brake lights and turn signals work fine though. I replaced my Echo with another but still have the same issue. Any ideas?

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Chris R.

7/11/2020

Are you sure you're getting power at the 7-Way on the 12V circuit/pin? The Echo needs this circuit to be active because this is how it receives power. You may need to replace a fuse under the hood or manually activate this circuit by running a hot lead up to the vehicle's battery.

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David

6/13/2020

I cannot get the brale controller to pair with my phone. Any suggestions?

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Chris R.

6/17/2020

When pairing the Echo up to your phone make sure you are going through the Echo's app and not trying to connect through your phone's Bluetooth settings. This is very important and typically why this issue comes up. Let me know if you ARE going through the app and we'll go from there.

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Earle

7/6/2020

I'm having the same problem. No blue light and no pairing. Worked the first time I used it and no more. Tried your suggestion and no luck. Any other ideas?

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Chris R.

7/7/2020

I would try turning the Bluetooth on your phone off and back on again. Sometimes it just needs to be rest. Let me know if this doesn't work.

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See All (6) Replies to David ∨

Earl S.

5/20/2020

Sometimes the controller applies the trailer brake without me having applied the truck brake. Any fix for this? or, is there a way to quickly over ride the brake application?

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Chris R.

5/23/2020

I would try adjusting the sensitivity level on the Echo (through the app on your phone). Sometimes it can be a little over-sensitive, sending power back to the brakes during slight deceleration, going up hills, etc. Adjusting this setting should keep that from happening but let me know if the issue persists. There isn't a way to quickly reverse/override braking if it happens when it shouldn't.

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Robert

7/16/2020

@ChrisR I’ve had this same issue in my 2019 F150 and have adjusted the sensitivity but can not get this to go away completely. Having a hard time pulling my camper due to this and am looking at other controllers if I can’t figure out a fix.

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Jon

3/20/2021

@ChrisR When my tow vehicle running light or headlights is on i get 12 volt on 9 and 3 o clock on echo brake controller even though when I test my tow vehicle without echo it doesn't have 12volt on 9and3 with running light or headlights is this normal? I cannot drive with the trailer at night because of this problem Thank you

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See All (9) Replies to Earl S. ∨

Answer 1

With the Curt Echo app telling you that there is low battery voltage you may have an issue with the wiring in your 7-way from the vehicle battery. Depending on the age of your battery you will likely want to have it tested if the battery is more…

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Answer 2

You are correct. The Curt Echo is a great choice because of its convenience and simple installation. The kit part #ETBC7L when used with the Curt Echo part #C51180 only requires the black power wire to extend to the positive side of the battery and…

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Answer 3

The Curt Echo Brake Controller part #C51180 is a great choice because of its convenient and simple installation. The 7-way connector that you mention part #A10-7084VP pugs into the 4-way connector you purchased part #C56217. The white wire from the…

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Answer 4

The Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller part #C51180 has a lifetime warranty so any issues you have with the brake controller will be covered by the manufacturer. That said, I don't think you will have any issues as we have had…

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Answer 5

The 12-volt power circuit on the trailer connector provides the power for the brake controller which can use up to 10 amps per axle. The controller will 'pass through' the 12 volt power feed circuit to the trailer but it won't…

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Answer 6

The Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 gets its power from the 12 volt connection on the 7-way of your car, which is also outlined in the linked instructions. Please note that some vehicles may require a trailer to be connected in…

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Answer 7

The rule of thumb for estimating a tongue weight is 10-15 percent of trailer weight. A 4,600 pound trailer would have a tongue weight between 460 and 690 pounds. Somewhere between a 1,000 to 2,000 pound capacity jack would be fine. Having a jack…

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Answer 8

With the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller #RED44FR in the proportional mode the light on the controller will not always light a full red light depending on what sensitivity the controller is set. The inertia sensor is looking at the…

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Answer 9

The solid blue light on the Curt Echo #C51180 means that the controller is paired to your smart device but the controller isn't sensing that the trailer is connected. Since your trailer was working just fine a few weeks ago and the controller…

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Answer 10

When it comes to installing The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED52VR if there is no trailer connected, the active calibration may occur as normal without any indication from the LED., provided your brake light trigger point is active when there is no…

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Answer 11

When the LED light on the Curt Echo part #C51180 does not illuminate that means the brake controller is not getting power from the 12V pin or the ground is bad. On a 7-way trailer connector, the 12V power function does not need to be connected for…

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Answer 12

It sounds like you are trying to pair the Curt Echo part #C51180 to the Bluetooth on your phone which is why the app is not recognizing it. You want to go into your settings on your phone and make sure you disconnect the Bluetooth from the Curt…

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Troubleshooting Curt Echo Brake Controller that Only Works with Manual Override

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