Troubleshooting Check Trailer Brake Wire Error Code On Truck

Question:

Im getting a code on truck saying to ck trailer break wire . I can find any broken wires .

asked by: Donny H

Expert Reply:

I'm not entirely sure what the possible causes of your error code would be since I don't know what truck you have, but it sounds like there is an issue with the brake output wire for the brakes. If you checked the wire on your truck and trailer and don't have any issues I would also check your vehicle and trailer connections.

A short in the wire, loose connections, bad connections, corrosion, all of these could cause a problem. You could also use a circuit tester like the # PTW2993 to narrow down where the issue is coming from. Start by testing the vehicle side and if everything checks out you know it is on the trailer or vice versa.

If you think it is the actual breakaway like the # 20400 since you referenced it, and your error said "break" and not brake, then I would still try using a circuit tester. Although, I don't think the truck would be able to actually sense that the breakaway itself has a problem. You could check all of the wires before and after the breakaway connections to make sure they are functioning as intended. You could also pull the pin on your breakaway to make sure it works.

expert reply by: Robin H