Draw-Tite/Reese Trailer Brake Controller Does Not Light Up or Show a Display

Question:

While pulling our 5th wheel we went around a corner and the trailer locked up..after looking around I found the long black plastic plug had been pulled out when the wire had caught and was to short to make the turn..After pluging the plug back into the hitch on the trailer the wheels unlocked and I parked the trailer..The problem is the little red light on the controler does not come on when you step on the brake and the numbers dont show up when pluged into the trailer connection..If I push the manual overide the red light on the controler comes on..Thank you for your time..and the great web site...

asked by: Bill W

Expert Reply:

It is possible that the act of the plug coming out while driving confused the brake controller. What you will what to do is disconnect the controller for about 15 minutes and then reconnect it. After you do this, before doing anything else, go through the set up process as outlined in the instructions I have linked for you.

If there are still issues, make sure that the trailer connectors are intact and that none of the pins are bent or damaged and that the wiring is not damaged.

You can also then check the brake controller for proper function by using a circuit tester like # 3808 to test the wires coming out of the back of the controller. First test the red wire. It should show a signal when the brake is applied. If it does not, you know that you will need to check that connection and the stop light fuse.

If the red wire is working properly, check the blue wire. It should show a signal when the brake or manual override is applied. If it is not showing a signal when it should then the brake controller has damage to the internal circuitry and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Michael H