Troubleshooting Brake Output Circuit Shorting Out After it Was Ran In the Fender Well with Snow

Question:

I recently carried a few pounds of frozen slush behind my left rear wheel. I swore I kicked it loose 3 or 4 times before I realized it was swinging on the blue wire for my electric brakes. After testing the connection, I realized driving all that swing weight around had caused a short in the blue wire connection to 7 way blade. Before I tear the product apart, I need to know if this is a molded connection, or if I can actually open this up and repair it.. This was no fault of the product. It just couldnt survive the pressure of a swinging mass of frozen slush the size of a bowling ball as I put on mile after mile, of course kicking it for good measure. I wish my butt connector mating the wires would have given out first. I also learned a good lesson about how far up snow and slush can reach up underneath a vehicle and pull down a wire. I had been so proud of my excellent wire routing.

asked by: Gary M

Expert Reply:

I spoke to my contact at Curt and he informed me that the brake output circuit is attached by a cinch connector at the back of the connector. When I described the situation you were in he said that it very well could have pulled itself out of the connector from the weight of the snow plus you kicking it.

You should be able to reconnect it though once you take it apart.

I would recommend you reroute the brake output circuit somewhere else that will avoid pinch points and heat like suspension components and exhaust.

expert reply by: Jameson C