Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Controller Not Being Recognized

Question:

2015 duramax. My trailer brake controller doesn’t recognized when I have my camper connected. I checked the volt and get a constant .47 at the connection on the back of my truck. I checked the fuse for the trailer brake under the hood ant it is good. It to has 13 volts at fuse con toon. I don’t understand what’s going on.

asked by: Travis G

Helpful Expert Reply:

I could not find an order for a brake controller you placed with us so I'm not sure what you have but I can give you some troubleshooting tips to try and locate the problem.

You did well by checking your connector on the truck side and because there will always be some type of minimal voltage being sent to the brake output pin we can reliably figure the issue is on the trailer side. Start by checking your trailer connector for corrosion - which will be green or white - that could be hampering its functionality. Either clean the corrosion or replace your connector with a new plug like the Pollak # PK12706 or Hopkins 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector # H20043.

This is most likely the issue but possibly it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or possibly the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for wires that may be pinched or otherwise damaged and fix as necessary. You'll also need to make sure the ground wires are attached to bare metal surfaces and free of any paint, dirt or corrosion.

You'll want to visually inspect the magnets; if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked.

expert reply by: Kyle S