How to Test to See if Brake Controller Installed on Vehicle is Faulty

Question:

I installed a new brake controller in my 2006 2500 suburban last summer. It worked fine. However, our first trip out this summer the brakes on the trailer started jerking pretty badly and noisley. The brake controller had a short code reading. We checked the trailer and the entire brake harness on the suburban and both were fine. I even replaced the pigtail piece on my seven way, just to be sure. But the problem persists. That leaves the after-factory brake conteoller, right? I have no idea how to find or fix an issue with the brake contoller. Should I simply replace it? Any advice is appreciated.

asked by: Jamie

Expert Reply:

Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like the Tester, part # PTW2993, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly also then 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. On the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed.

If there is power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed you have connected the red wire from the brake controller to the wrong circuit. You would then need to find the brake switch wire that has power ONLY when the brake pedal is activated.

If these connections check out and the brake controller is properly grounded then there is possibly a problem inside the brake controller.

I am including a link to a video that will show you how to test the wiring on a brake controller. A great replacement would be the Brake EVN # TK63VR which is proportional, very reliable, and at a great price as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C