No Voltage Increase on Brake Output Pin When Brake Pedal Pressed

Question:

I just installed the Curt 57672 by connecting it to my existing 4-way plug on my 2021 Ford Edge titanium. I used a multimeter to confirm that pin 2 for the trailer brake doesnt increase in voltage when I press the brake pedal. Its about 6 volts at all times. What could be wrong? The other pins appear to work properly and get expected voltage readings. When I connect my Curt Echo controller, I can manually engage the trailer brakes by using the button on the app, but the brake pedal doesnt show the trailer brakes getting applied on the app, either. My brake lights, including the high center light work fine when I press the brake pedal.

asked by: Eric S

Expert Reply:

The Curt # C51180 Echo wireless brake controller is a proportional brake controller. A proportional controller senses the rate at which the vehicle is braking, and will then send the proper amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so that the vehicle and trailer brake at the same rate.

Unlike the older, time delayed style brake controllers, you will NOT get full voltage on the brake output pin unless the brakes are applied while the vehicle in motion.

This being said, you shouldn't be getting 6V output when the vehicle isn't in motion if you haven't manually activated the brakes. I'd recommend reviewing and repeating the pairing/setup procedure found in the Echo's instructions. You'll need to unplug the Echo, then unplug the trailer 7-way from the Echo. Next, delete the application from the phone and reinstall it. Then plug the Echo into vehicle 7-way (by itself) until the Echo has a solid blue light. At that point, you can plug the trailer into the Echo. You don't plug the trailer into the Echo until it's showing the blue LED which indicates the pairing process is complete.

expert reply by: Mike L