Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes That Stopped Working After Parking Trailer for a Few Months

Question:

I’m looking to replace the wiring on my car hauler. The brakes worked when I first got it, then it sat for a while and now they aren’t working. It appears the previous owners have spliced the wires a few times and I’m think that a fresh start may be what is needed. Controller works fine and I’ve got power all the way up to the wire going into the tube for the brakes so I’m not sure what the issue might be. Wire kit suggestions or trouble shooting advice?

asked by: Josh L

Expert Reply:

If the lights on the trailer are working currently and it's just a problem for the brakes I'd recommend just replacing the brake output circuit wire for the trailer with new 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 which is sold by the foot.

Most likely in one of the several splices on this circuit there is a short or an incomplete connection which is causing the problem. You could probably mess with the wires enough to get the connection to at least become intermittent. Also try improving the ground circuit of the trailer wiring to the frame and also clean of all of the pins on the trailer connectors as that's almost always the issue for the type of problem you described.

I also attached a link to a troubleshooting article on brake controllers for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C