Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller Putting Out Voltage Without Input from Brake Pedal
Question:
I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with a Tekonsha Voyager controller that was hard wired to the vehicle by a company called The Hitch House. Using a Fluke digital voltmeter with the trailer not connected, I have determined that the ground, hot wire, taillights, signal lights and backup lights are all properly connected to the correct terminals. When I connect my meter to the ground and brake terminals on the 7 wire socket, I get 12.15VDC and when I press the brake pedal I get 12.06VDC. I thought power would only be applied to this terminal when the brake pedal is pressed. Am I wrong, and if so, then how does the controller control the trailer brakes? Thanks
asked by: Don C
Expert Reply:
My suspicion is that the brake controller might have been installed incorrectly. With the trailer not connected, applying your tester to the brake output pin on the connector should get you only the small amount of voltage (around 2-3 volts) that the controller sends back to the trailer connector to determine if the trailer is connected. You should not be reading 12 volts at the connector unless the brake is pressed or the manual override slider on the controller is activated. Try using your tester on the red wire that exits the rear of the controller. This wire is tied into the brake light system of the truck, and is what tells the controller that the vehicle brakes are being activated. You should only show current on this wire when the brake pedal is pressed. If this wire has been tapped into the wrong circuit, it would explain why you are showing output voltage on the brake controller output circuit when the brake pedal is not being pressed.
