Tips For Troubleshooting Draw-Tite Brake Controller Have N/C Code When Applying Manual Override

Question:

I have a Draw-tite break controller installed on my Volvo XC-90. It was working just fine. Now when I plug in the trailer, all I get is a blank screen on the controller. If press the boost buttons, I can adjust the boost levels and see the change on the screen, but but when pressing the break on my vehicle, the screen remains blank and the break controller does not engage the breaks on my trailer. When I use the manual control to apply the breaks on the trailer, I get a N/Cinch displayed on the break controller screen. Looking for suggestions on what may have become not connected? Thanks Mark

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

Based on the issues you're describing it sounds like the blue brake output wire has damage somewhere on it.

The brake output wire runs from your Draw-Tite controller to the 7-way, and from the 7-way to your trailer brakes. If there's damage on this wire then the controller won't sense a trailer is connected and will display the exact issues you have.

I'd start with checking that the 7-way on your Volvo XC-90 doesn't have any damaged pins, and that the trailer 7-way isn't full of corrosion or damaged.

Have a friend use a test light # PTW2993 to check that the 7-way gets power when you apply the manual override. If you do not have power in the 7-way then cut the blue output wire around 6" to 8" back from the controller and use a test light to check that you're getting power with the manual override applied. If you do then reconnect the wire and trace the wire to the 7-way looking for any damaged sections.

If you do have power in the 7-way the trace the brake output wire from the 7-way on the trailer to the trailer brake magnets to find where it's been damaged.

Let me know what you find and we can go from there.