Troubleshooting Intermittent Connection Message of Curt Spectrum Brake Controller

Question

Question:

Ive a few questions concerning my brake controller. Its the Spectrum Controller - #51170. I had it installed by a professional at my local trailer shop. Im somewhat confused in a couple areas: * With no trailer attached, when I brake the vehicle, a blue light display will come on? Is this normal? * Again with no trailer attached, at times when I brake the vehicle a single red light will appear, at times its on the right side of the dial, at the 4oclock position, other times it lights on the left side around the 8 oclock spot. Normally, when I brake with no attached trailer there is only blue. Any idea whats up? Thanks!

asked by: Edward J

0

Expert Reply:

Try cleaning off the pins of your 7-way connector on your tow vehicle with sandpaper. A lot of times some corrosion or dirt can get on the connector which can trick the controller into thinking a trailer is connected.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

There could be a couple of reasons why your Curt Spectrum #C51170 is not calibrating, but it's likely due to your wiring. Even though you're using a plug in adapter #C51523, there still can be an issue with your vehicle wiring. I recommend…

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Answer 2

Thank you very much for your purchase from etrailer.com of the Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller #C51170. We appreciate your business and the order, and the issue with the Spectrum, per the troubleshooting section of the owner's manual, is…

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Answer 3

It sounds like your Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller #C51170 is working properly. You are not getting an error code, but the number of red lights should increase as more brake power is asserted. The actual number of red lights that appear…

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Answer 4

To install the Tekonsha #118628 trailer wiring harness on your 2017 Acura MDX, you wouldn't need to run a separate circuit to the battery, as that's been done at the factory. All you'll need to do is plug the connector in at the junction…

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Answer 5

Make sure the brake lights of the vehicle are still working...especially the third brake light. If they stopped working then the issue is a blown brake light fuse. If they are still working it's probably the connection of the red wire of your…

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Answer 6

The Curt Spectrum #C51170 does have a manual override that maybe you weren't familiar with. If you press and hold the knob the manual override feature is active. When you press the button the brakes will begin to apply similar to a time delayed…

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Answer 7

The Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller #C51170 shouldn't be connected to your running light circuit in any way, shape, or form which leads me to believe that either your tow vehicle or your trailer 7-Way connector has some wires touching…

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Answer 8

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 9

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 10

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 11

The correct replacement master cylinder kit we have for your Demco setup is the part #DM5918 which comes with the lock out replacement.

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Answer 12

I've never heard of an actual third brake light connector on a camper shell to plug in on a truck and we don't carry any parts to do that. The light generally needs to be hardwired into the truck's brake light circuit. The issue with this…

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