Troubleshooting Brake Controller Wiring On 2004 Dodge Ram 3500

Question

Question:

Break controller: I have two gooseneck horse trailers. The breaks works fine with my first horse trailer not built in US. However, the breaks do not work with my new Exiss trailer. I suspect that the problem may be related with the break controller. With the Exiss trailer I have no brakes on trailer when pushing the brake pedal. However, the hand operated parking brake on the trailer works ok. The “breakeaway” brake works ok. The outlet in the pickup bed has three connectors I thought four was normal?. When measuring the connection plug we find: The male connection is negative -. The two female connections are positive +. When driving the car without brake action: Both positive connections give 14,3V. When pushing the brake pedal: The right connector gives 14,3V and the left connector gives 0,2V. Is the the right normal? I have pictures of both the break controller and the outlet in the pickup bed if needed. I have a Dodge Ram 3500 2004 model and I would like to tow both my trailers with this pickup. I have friends that use Tekonsha break controller. The best solution would be that I could use both trailers with the same break controller. Do you have any suggestion? I find this puzzling and I would be very grateful if you can help me. Best regards,

asked by: Geir B

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Expert Reply:

Since you said you have connectors on your truck I assume you have the towing package so there should be a port located next to the emergency brake pedal. This should be blue and is used to connect a brake controller like part # 90885 using a plug-in adapter like part # 3020-P.

For brake controller wiring in the US, you will typically have a 7-way connector on the towing vehicle and a matching wiring harness on the trailer. It sounds like you have 2 trailers that have different functions on the connectors.

I recommend starting with the truck and making sure you have a fully functioning 7-way connector. Then make sure the trailer is wired correctly and the connector is wired so that you have the same functions on all the pins as the truck has.

You can test the brakes on the trailer by using a 12V power source and a circuit tester, with the trailer unhooked from your truck. Test each pin on the connector to see if the brakes work and make sure the pins are matched to the pins on the truck connector. Check out the attached wiring help article that has a troubleshooting section that explains how to test the wiring on the trailer.

I have attached links to some helpful articles about brake controllers and trailer wiring you can check out.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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Answer 1

If your 2004 Dodge Ram has the factory 7-Way or 4-Way connector, then there should be a plug located under the driver's side of the vehicle right behind the front wheel well (see attached image). There will be more wires on the hood side of the…

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Answer 2

If your 7-way says 'Mopar' on it, it should be the factory 7-way although it might have been a dealer installed instead of a factory installed option. Only vehicles with the factory installed tow package will have the blue under-dash…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 6

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 7

Hi Paul, you’re definitely on the right track here, and I can help you narrow this down with confidence. With your tandem 3,500 lb Dexter axles and 33 inch spacing, both the Dexter EZ Flex part #K71-652-00 and the Lippert Road Armor part #LC53CK are…

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Answer 8

Yes, it will work. You'll just need to cut the Lance 6-pin connector out and rewire it into the etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box and RV Style Connector item #e99011. Here are the individual functions of that Lance 6-pin:…

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Answer 9

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 10

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 11

The #84 spindle is just a common way to identify the spindle dimensions typically used for 3,500 lb axles. So instead of listing out the parts, people can just say they have #84 spindles and it's easier to know what fits it. The CE Smith Trailer…

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Answer 12

Hey Jeff. There is definitely a correlation between weight and capacity. I've listed the weight of all three of the Power Mountain Tallboy Off-Road Bottle Jacks we have below: Power Mountain Tallboy Off-Road Bottle Jack - 7-15/16" to…

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Troubleshooting Brake Controller Wiring On 2004 Dodge Ram 3500

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