Can Trailer Emulator Tester Be Used to Make Initial Brake Controller Adjustments

Question:

We are using a Curt 7 pin trailer emulator to test the Tekonsha 90195-P3 controller we have installed on our 2011 Acura MDX. The 12V, vehicle turn signals, headlights and brakes test out fine. However, some problems: 1 When we put the vehicle in reverse, the simulator backup light doesn’t come on. This isn’t critical given we don’t usually reverse the trailer in situations where other drivers would need to be aware we’re reversing. But is there some way to fix the problem? 2 When we apply the manual trailer brake lever, both the left and right turn leds come on with the brake led on the simulator. Again, not a major concern in terms of functionality, but does it indicate a wiring problem we should fix? 3 The brake controller insists there is no trailer connected with the simulator plugged in. Given the manual brake control shows braking on the emulator, your experts have commented elsewhere that this probably means this emulator doesn’t draw enough current to tell the controller there’s a trailer attached. Is there some way to still use the emulator to set initial controller power levels, or do we need to attach the trailer itself to do that? Thanks!

asked by: Mary Z

Expert Reply:

You'd have to run a wire from the reverse light circuit of your Acura MDX to the 7-way you installed for the reverse light circuit to activate. If you have no need for this circuit though I would not recommend doing so as it wouldn't be worth it.

Your left and right turn signals coming on with the manual lever of the controller slid is not an indicator of a problem so I would not worry about that either.

There would be no point to attempting to setup brake controller power levels and sensitivity without an actual trailer connected. The settings are all relative to each trailer that is towed and you have to use feedback from how the trailer brakes to make adjustments.

expert reply by: Jameson C