Troubleshooting Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Trailer Brake Actuator Cycles On and Off

Updated 07/14/2015 | Published 07/11/2015

Question:

I recently installed the K71-650 and am generally happy with it. However during install the instruction booklet was blown away so you are my only recourse. I have a 2013 Ford F450. with the truck running and the trailer plugged in the pump cycles on and off constantly at about a 2 second interval. Yes, the controller is set to electric over hydraulic. I cant believe this is normal. I could use some guidance here. Thanks in advance,

asked by: John C

Expert Reply:

First thing you will need to do is check that all of the wiring of the actuator and your brake controller are correct. I attached a couple diagrams that should be helpful

I spoke with my contact at Dexter and there is a way to troubleshoot your actuator. If you use a 12 volt battery and connect just the white wire from the actuator to the negative post and then connect the black wire to the positive side of the battery, you could possibly hear a click sound but the actuator should not turn on. If it does turn on and run, the unit is defective and needs to be replaced. This would be done without having the blue wire connected.

Wiring connections for the Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator are as follows.

Yellow - Cold side of breakaway switch, The wire that goes hot when a breakaway occurs.
Black - Positive connection on breakaway switch, The wire that charges the breakaway battery.
Blue - Output from in cab controller, The wire that provides power from your brake controller.
White - Ground

expert reply by: Jameson C