Troubleshooting Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator that Runs When Disconnected

Updated 01/12/2015 | Published 01/11/2015

Question:

I have a 2003 Ford F350 pulling a 2014 Cimarron Horse trailer. It has Dexter electric over hydraulic disc brakes. I have had to disconnect the power source for the pump to stop it from running. It doesnt do it all the time. I was told a low voltage in the battery system would do this but have had the charging system for both truck and trailer checked. Both are 100. It has happened while traveling I pull in to get diesel and the pump is still running when the engine is off as well as when parked and hooked to 120 volt land line I have walked out to the barn and had it running, no truck hooked up

asked by: Jeff C

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there is a short somewhere in your trailer wiring that is causing the # K71-651 to run. Unless the actuator itself has an internal problem the only way it is going to activate is if it senses that a truck is connected.

The black wire of the actuator is what powers it. Most likely what is happening is that there is a short somewhere on this circuit from your breakaway battery circuit. I would go out there at test to see if there is 12 volts of power on the black wire without a truck connected. If so then you know there is a short somewhere between those two circuits which is causing the actuator to run.

expert reply by: Jameson C