Trailer Brakes Do Not Work and Voyager Brake Controller Does Not Light Up with Trailer Attached

Question:

I have had this controller on my truck for three years with absolutely no problems. Yesterday I hooked up my 20foot enclosed trailer and the light on the unit would not come on. All the lights on the trailer work, including the brake lights, but I get absolutely zero braking. I used a ground tester to verify that there is constant power at the black wire going to the controller and there is power at the red wire if I depress the brake pedal. I have the 9 pin connector on my 2004 Dodge Ram and there is no power at the controller pin on the plug. Does this sound like a controller problem or a wiring problem? Controller was mfd in 1999.

asked by: Mike L

Helpful Expert Reply:

To determine if the brake controller is the problem you will want to test the blue wire on the controller. Sever the blue wire a few inches back from the controller. Use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 if needed to test the end coming out of the controller. It should only show power when you apply the manual override. If it does not, then there is something wrong inside the controller and it will need to be replaced.

If the signal is correct, then reconnect the blue wire. You will need to trace the brake output wire until you find the place where there may be a brake in the wiring and repair as needed.

You will also need to make sure that the level setting is correct using the knob on the left side of the controller. If you accidentally bumped the controller, it could have knocked it out of level. When that knob is not adjusting just right the controller will not function properly. I have included a link to the installation details for you for reference. I have also included a link to an FAQ article on troubleshooting brake controllers.

expert reply by: Michael H