Electric Trailer Brakes not Working
Question:
I can not make brakes work on a trailer I hove electric brakes using 7 wires
asked by: Albino
Expert Reply:
There are a number of reasons why the brakes on your trailer may not be working. Lets start with the easiest things to check.
First, check the vehicle and trailer connectors for corrosion. This can cause a short inside the connector and the brake feed circuit and ground are at the bottom of the connector so moisture affects these connections first.
Next, check the ground wire on the vehicle and trailer connectors, trailer brake magnets and the brake controller itself. If there is a bad ground connection the trailer brakes will not work.
Next, check the brake controller wiring. Sever the blue brake output wire, leaving enough room to splice it back together when testing is done and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester, like item # 3808, you should get output to the trailer brakes, blue wire. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly the problem is farther back either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.
If either the brake pedal or the manual slide are not functioning properly you will need to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure you have power entering the brake controller on the black wire and on the red wire only when the brake pedal is pressed. If these wires test correct, and there is no output, your brake controller most likely needs to be replaced.
Finally, if those troubleshooting measures do not locate the problem, you will need to check the trailer brakes and brake magnets themselves. We have an article detailing how to test trailer brake magnets properly with a multi-meter, like part # PT89ZR, and we have a video showing the proper installation and adjustment of trailer brakes, see links.
Tim
7/27/2020
Hello, I have a 2007 Mega Lite by Extreme toy hauler. When pressing brake pedal the trailer brakes grab and initiate to slow trailer but then I get brake trailer failure warning on my truck? This does not happen every time I would say 75 % of the time. The other times brakes work just fine? I am able to use the brake slide and it also engages but then gives same brake failure? If anyone has an Idea Where should I start to look
M. W.
7/3/2020
I have a new 2020 trailer (still under warranty) where I am getting power to the brakes but not engaging. I can hear at noise, constant buzzing, at the brakes like they are trying engage when pressing the brake petal. When I pull the E-brake pin they engage. There is no power at the junction box connection until the brake petal is pressed where I then get .7 volts.
Ken L.
5/12/2020
I recently bought a 16’ trailer. When trying to put new lights and wiring I discovered that the trailer has brakes. The drivers side has a wire going to the back side of the brakes. No wire on passenger side wheel. Trailer came with lights and a 4 prong blade without the brake wiring. Opened the drivers side and everything was there. Very clean and about 50% left on pads. Stripped the wires and connected to a jump box- no movement in brake. Do I run the wiring for brakes and then fix brakes or proceed a different way?
Products Referenced in This Question
Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - LED Display
- Electrical Tools
- Testers
- Multimeter
- Yellow
- Performance Tool
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Mark S.
9/6/2020
My mauel on my brake controller is sending power to my brakes but my brake pedal is not What do I look for ? Thank you