Curt Tri-Flex Brake Controller that Stopped Working After Numerous Resets  

I have had the Curt Tri-Flex for several years now and installed it on our Ford e350 van. We used it with our popup trailer single axle w/ electric brakes, and now with our travel trailer two-axles. I installed the tri-flex originally by connecting into the brake controller harness under the dash. Over the years, I have had intermittent problems with the controller not recognizing the trailer, but disconnecting and reconnecting trailer had always worked to get the controller to recognize and connect. But yesterday, it did not recognize it at all, no matter what I tried. The controller has power, and lights up a single dot, indicating that there is no trailer connected. 1. I tried to unplug and reconnect the trailer several times. Controller continued to show only one dot. 2. I tried to unplug and reconnect the Tri-Flex several times waiting for a minute or two. Still shows only one dot. 3. Pushing the manual lever on the Tri-Flex will not engage the trailer brakes. 4. Lights on trailer work fine - brakes, turn signals, marker lights, and emergencies. 5. I pulled the break-away pin and brakes will lock up fine. 6. I checked the ground on the trailer, and it is fine. 7. I checked the wiring to the brakes and that all looks okay. I think the controller may be shot, but I am curious how I can confirm this with certainty? And, technically speaking, how does the tri-flex recognize that a trailer has been connected? Does it sense some path of continuity through the 7-way? I have tried searching for that, but cannot find anything Thanks! Kind regards,

asked by: Christopher C