No Power Out on the Blue Wire when Activating the Pilot Brake Controller on a 1994 Ford F-150

Question:

have tested black power wire-ok. have tested red brake switch wireok. have . when activating hand control. cannot get any power on blue wire trailer brake by hand control or foot brake of pickup. please advise

asked by: Jerry M

Expert Reply:

If you have power going into the Pilot brake controller, # 80550, and not coming out, there are two possible causes.

First, make sure the ground wire is attached directly to a good ground source. If you are using the vehicle specific connector for the 1994 F-150, # 3035-P, you can sever the white wire and connect it directly to the vehicle battery negative post to test the ground connection.

If the ground wire does not solve the issue, sever the blue wire about 6 inches from the brake controller, leaving enough wire to reconnect if needed. If the controller now has output, with the blue wire severed, there is an issue on the vehicle or trailer wiring, most likely a short. Check the trailer connectors for corrosion and the wiring on the vehicle and trailer.

If you still do not have power going out on the blue wire, after severing it and checking the white wire, the brake controller has most likely been shorted out and will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Bob G