Troubleshooting Brake Controller that Intermittently Says it is Not Connected

Updated 08/10/2015 | Published 08/09/2015

Question:

After checking ampersge on all magnets and for shorts on wiring and magnets on my electric trailer brakes I still got a short / overloadwarning on my prodigy. But this time I also got an intermittent nc warning ..It would last for a second or 2 then come back to c and when ever it said c. connected the brakes worked fine. I believe it is the pollack 9 way plug into the 5th wheel since once the wire just vibrated out of the plug ... Should I replace both plug and socket? this unit is a 1987 manufacture ...

asked by: Jeremy

Helpful Expert Reply:

There is a loose wire or an intermittent connection somewhere on the brake output circuit of your tow vehicle/trailer. That is what is causing the controller to periodically display that it is not connected to a trailer.

If a wire once vibrated loose I would first inspect the condition of the wiring of both connectors and clean of any corrosion you find as that is the usual problem. Most likely the actual problem is not the connectors and is just the wiring/corrosion.

I also attached a help article on brake controller troubleshooting for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C