Testing a Vehicle Side 7-Way Trailer Connector for Proper Function

Question

Question:

How is checking a trailer connector done, specifically, and what tools are needed? I have a probe/clip/light tester circuit and a voltage tester with the black/red probes, and box with a dial on the side and a knob with different settings on the front. Will either of these items work?

asked by: Carol

0

Expert Reply:

To check the pins on the vehicle side 7-Way, you can use a circuit tester or the volt meter. The circuit tester will show you if a signal is coming through on the pin you are testing while the volt meter will tell you that and how much voltage is being sent. When you test the brake circuit pin on the 7-Way, it may be more beneficial to see how much voltage it is sending through.

If you are facing the 7-Way, using either tester, you will test for the proper signal as follows:

1 oclock position = 12 volt hot lead
3 oclock position = right turn/brake light
5 oclock position = brake controller output
7 oclock position = ground
9 oclock position = left turn/brake light
11 oclock position = tail and running lights
Center = reverse lights

You will need to have someone sit in the truck and run through each function while you test the pins. In order to determine the configuration on the trailer side, you will have to trace the wiring back from each pin. You an use the wiring diagrams I have linked for you.

While checking the connectors if you notice any corrosion build up or dirt inside or or in back of either connector, clean it out. A wire brush like a battery terminal brush works well.

You can also check the adjustment on the brakes to make sure they are not adjusted too tight. There is a a little wheel with teeth in it at the bottom back side of each assembly. Using a flathead screwdriver you can turn the wheel to adjust the brakes. I have included a link to a video that features our installer adjusting the brakes. Go to the 4 minute, 55 second mark.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

Hey, Bill. If you’re not installing a supplemental braking system, like part #DM86VR, then the answer is no, you won’t need to install a charge line kit (part #RM-156-25). You will, however, want to double-check your owner’s manual for the exact…

view full answer...

Answer 2

Hi Jeff, welcome back and sorry to hear that gave you so much trouble. The Redarc Tow-Pro Link Bluetooth Brake Controller #RED57AR will work on your Silverado. This plugs in-line at the back of your 7-way at the rear of the truck. You can either…

view full answer...

Answer 3

You can wire the Hopkins 7 Way Molded Trailer Plug #HM20048 in whichever manner you see fit- the colored wires in the loom are color coded to make it easy for you to know which pin/blade they're connected to, so you shouldn't need to…

view full answer...

Answer 4

For your Draw Tite Activator brake controller like #5504 I found the setup instructions and they are below for you to check out. 1. With a trailer connected, set the sync control half way between + and -. Starting with the output control in the…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The braking power you feel when using your trailer brake controller will depend on the power setting selected on the controller as well as the chosen setting on the Sync control. The sync determines the level of braking aggressiveness by changing how…

view full answer...

Answer 6

The Draw-Tite Activator II time-delayed type brake controller #5504 is NOT compatible with electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) trailer brake actuators. But Draw-Tite's sister brand Tekonsha offers modern proportional controllers that are fully…

view full answer...

Answer 7

There is not a brake controller wiring harness adapter port on your 2017 Ford Explorer. The adapter port was available on previous years of the Ford Explorer but has since been phased out. In order to install a brake controller such as the Tekonsha…

view full answer...

Answer 8

If your 2017 Ford Explorer has the factory prep towing package installed, then you might have a brake controller plug-in wiring on the vehicle to connect your brake controller. However, not all models with the tow package had the wiring installed and…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Due to the intermittent nature of your problem, what you have going on is likely being caused by corrosion in the trailer connector on the vehicle or in the connector on the trailer. First, check those blades on the vehicle's connector for green…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The right and left orientation is determined if you are standing behind the trailer looking towards the tow vehicle. The left side is the drivers side and the right side is the passengers side. Tthe shorter brake pad will always be in the front of…

view full answer...

Answer 11

They are generally pretty universal. You want to check to see how many bolts there are on the brake flange, get overall diameter and the overall thickness of the shoes. For instance the very popular Electric Trailer Brake Kit part #AKEBRK-35-SA is a…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Generally the best way to find out which brakes you need is by measuring the inside dimensions of the drum, but you can also usually determine this by your wheel size. Your best bet is to take a wheel off the trailer and pull the drum off to…

view full answer...

Testing a Vehicle Side 7-Way Trailer Connector for Proper Function

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching