After Replacing Trailer Connector Brake Controller Only Shows a Dot
Question:
Hello. I just changed the connector on my trailer. All my light are working but no brakes. On my controller where I normally have the digital readout of numbers I only have a decimal point at all times. My connectors are the seven round of course. Thx
asked by: Martin
Helpful Expert Reply:
It is possible that when you replaced the trailer connector that the brake output wire was not attached in the correct place, or it could have made contact with another wire and caused a short.
At the back of a 7-Way the brake output wire attaches in the 7 o'clock position.
There are some things you can do to test the controller to see if it is the problem. In the truck cab you will need to sever the blue wire several inches from the back of the controller. Then use a circuit tester such as # PTW2992 to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override or brake pedal. If it shows power at idle, then there is something wrong with the controller and it will need to be replaced.
If it tests fine then reconnect the blue wire. Then move on to the truck side trailer connector. Many times, dirt or corrosion can cause a short in a trailer connector. Make sure the truck and the trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out.
You can test the brake output pin and it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time, then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to track down.
If the truck side checks out fine, then it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.
You can visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To further test the magnets, you can follow the help article I have linked. I have also included some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you.
