Troubleshooting Brakes Engage When Trailer Plugged In With Hopkins Agility Brake Controller

Question:

I wired my Hopkins agility and it lights up when I hit the manual override but when I plug my trailer in the brakes are locked up and when I push the manual override a little bit it will release the trailer brake and let me roll but as soon as I let go of the red button it stops me again. I had to wire it in myself.

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

In order to troubleshoot this problem we have a few methods you can try. Since the brakes are engaged when you plug in your trailer in it is most likely an incorrect stoplight wire connection, corrosion on the trailer or vehicle plugs, or the adapter wiring does not match the OEM connector in your 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. Since you hardwired this in, we can rule out the connector.

I would start by verifying the correct wire connections. Make sure each wire is connected in the correct location according to the wiring codes found in the installation guide. You can also use a circuit tester like the # PTW2993 to verify the stoplight wire connection. Once this is done, move on to check the connection on your vehicle and trailer. Make sure it is clean and there is no visible damage.

If all of the connections are correct, and the connection is good, you are looking for a short or ground issue. Make sure your ground has a good connection and inspect your wires for any nicks or exposed wiring and repair as necessary.

I have attached a helpful troubleshooting article which includes common brake control issues and testing procedures for your reference.

expert reply by: Robin H