Trailer Brakes Will Not Activate When Pushing The Brake Pedal

Updated 04/09/2021 | Published 04/07/2021

Question:

Trailer brakes Utility don’t work with truck pedal

asked by: Miguel R

Expert Reply:

If your trailer brakes activate when using the manual override but not when pushing on the brake pedal you may have a bad connection or a faulty brake switch. I have also linked below our article on Brake Controller Troubleshooting. Also if you have a proportional brake controller and you are not moving the trailer brakes will not activate as the controller does not sense the inertia needed to activate the brakes.

First I would push on the brake pedal and see if the vehicles brake lights come on. If they do not be sure to check the fuses for your specific vehicle to ensure it is getting power. You can confirm that the brake switch is getting power with a Circuit Tester # PTW2991. You can also verify if power is coming out of the switch when the pedal is pushed. If no power is coming out of the switch than it is faulty.

If your brake lights are working off the pedal you will need to see if the power is getting to the brake controller. Test the wiring going to the brake controller. Typically this is the red wire but refer to your manual to ensure which wire for your specific controller. If you are getting power to the controller and can manually activate the brake the controller is defective.

expert reply by: Bud M