Troubleshooting Brake Controller that Won't Work with Brake Pedal

Updated 07/27/2015 | Published 07/26/2015

Question:

I recently installed the Insight Flex on my 2014 Silverado 1500. It consistantly shows a trailer connected light even with no trailer. The manua lever works to stop trailer, but when I press vehicle brake pedal, nothing. Windering what this might be. Thanks for your help.

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

If a brake controller is detecting a trailer connected when there isn't one connected that indicates that there is a load somewhere on the brake output circuit that is confusing the controller. Typically this is corrosion on the 7-way and cleaning the pins with fine grit sandpaper will do the trick.

If a controller will work with the override but not with the brake pedal that indicates a problem with the red (stoplight circuit) wire of the controller. What you will need to do is check to make sure that the red wire of the controller is securely connected to a circuit that only sees voltage when the brakes are applied.

I also attached a help article on troubleshooting brake controllers.

expert reply by: Jameson C