Trailer Brakes Not Functioning But Will Work When Break Away Pin is Pulled

Question:

I tried connecting to a second trailer and the brakes function properly. I connect to my trailer and have no brakes. When I pull the brakeaway, the brakes work fine. I have increased the gain to the highest point and still nothing.

asked by: Mike D

Expert Reply:

By trying a second trailer, you've pretty well eliminated your tow vehicle as being the issue. My suspicion is that the trailer connector on the trailer is either damaged or corroded which is preventing the signal from the brake controller from reaching the trailer brakes. The fact that the brakes work normally with the break away pin pulled would tend to back this up, as the break away system connects in downstream of the trailer connector. If you need to replace the 7-way connector on your trailer, I'd recommend a trailer connector/junction box like # 277-000141.

expert reply by: Mike L