Trailer Brakes Are Locking Up When Connected To My 2010 Nissan Armada

Question:

I recently installed this brake controller and wiring harness in a 2010 Nissan Armada with factory tow package, easy plug and play very nice. When I hooked up to a brand new trailer and depressed the brake on my vehicle it caused the brakes on the trailer to lock up and not release for about 30 seconds. I see on my brake controller the indicator that the trailer is disconnected, it clearly is not disconnected. I unplugged the trailer and confirmed there is nothing in the plug, inspected my 7 way and found no bent pin or corrosion. I sprayed out the trailer plug and 7 pin with electrical part cleaner then applied electrical grease to ensure a full connection. The results were the same, depress the truck brakes at any level of intensity and the trailer brakes lock up. I connected to a different trailer with the same results. I purchased the plug-n-play Curt 7 pin tester with led indicators and I see as soon as I plug it in the BK trailer brake indicator light is on. The truck is off and the brakes are not being applied. I tested with a multimeter and confirmed that with the brake controller plugged in there is 12v being sent to the trailer brakes. Is this the correct output for the brake controller without the brakes being applied? Could this be causing the trailer brakes to lock up and flash the trailer disconnected code on the brake controller? When I disconnect the brake there is no power on the BK pin. All other functions on the 7 pin and both trailers are working as expected, marker lights, brake lights, left and right blinker, 12v constant when the vehicle is turned on.

asked by: Jeremiah R

Expert Reply:

There are a couple tests that need to be done to determine if there is a wiring issue on your 2010 Nissan Armada with the Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller # C24VV. With your trailer brakes locking up as soon as the trailer is connected it leads me to believe that the brake switch is sending power when it should not.

The red wire in the Curt Custom Wiring Adapter # C51382 should only see power when the brake pedal is depressed. You can use a Test Light # PTW2992 to test this wire on your Armada. If you see power on the wire without the brake pedal being used you either have a bad brake switch or the wiring is incorrect going into the plug.

You can also check that the black wire always has power as this should be the 12 volt constant wire. Both the blue wire and white wire should see no power as when the brake controller is disconnected. If either do have power there is a short in the wiring or a miss wired connector.

With your brakes locking up and the brake controller showing the trailer is not connected, it leads me to believe that the connector may be wired differently than the pigtail and the white ground wire is switched with the blue brake output wire.

expert reply by: Bud M