After Sitting for 1 Year Cargo Towing Solutions Hydrastar Actuator Will Not Work, Just Clicks

Updated 09/23/2015 | Published 09/22/2015

Question:

Hi my boat trailer with the Hydra Star Electric-Hydraulic Actuator for Disk Brakes was sitting for one year. The trailer is 3 years old so no warranty any more. The Hydra Star actuator does not work after sitting one year. There is only a click in the actuator but brakes are not working. Installed new battery but still no brakes working. I drove the trailer to my trailer shop were I bought the Trailer. They said I shall ask you for help. May bee you can repair the actuator when we ship the actuator to your Company. Can you help me please or do I have to buy a new actuator?

asked by: Peter K

Expert Reply:

Below I have included the basic troubleshooting steps for the Cargo Towing Solutions Hydrastar actuators.

Unit will not run or the unit will not shut off:

Verify that the trailer and tow vehicle are wired according to the electrical schematic shown in the manual. Perform the following checks to determine if the unit is functioning properly:

Step 1
With the unit running and brake pressure applied, determine that a minimum of 8.5 volts DC are reaching the Hydrastar's black wire.

Check to see if the white ground wire runs directly to the tow vehicle ground. IT MUST NOT BE GROUNDED TO THE TRAILER ONLY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS GROUND WIRE RUNS DIRECTLY TO THE TOW VEHICLE'S BATTERY GROUND. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Step 2
Detach all wires from the HydraStar leaving only the blue, black, white and yellow or blue w/ white striped wires. It is important that the unit is disconnected from any other wires going to the towing vehicle or breakaway switch and breakaway battery. Failure to do so may result in a faulty test.

Step 3
Using a 12 volt battery, connect the white wire to the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Connect the black wire to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. The motor should not run. If the motor runs, the unit needs repair.

Step 4
Leave the white wire connected to the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Connect the blue and black wires together to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. The motor should run and the unit should pressurize. If this does not occur, the unit needs repair.

Step 5
Leave the white wire connected to the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Connect only the yellow or blue w/ white stripe wire to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. The motor should run and the unit should pressurize. If this does not occur, the unit needs repair.

Step 6
If the unit checks OK, reconnect the wires leading to the trailer plug and repeat steps 2 through 4. If you do not get the same results as before, the problem is in the trailer wiring or the electronic brake controller.

If you determine that the unit needs repair then it would have to be sent to Cargo Towing Solutions to fix.