Troubleshooting Venturer Brake Controller Red Light Comes On Intermittently

Updated 02/10/2020 | Published 12/16/2015

Question:

Hello, I have a Curt Venturer brake controller, Part C74VV and adapter C51515. and as I drive with out a trailer the solid red light comes intermittently , if I step on the brake it goes back to green and also if the red light is on and I activate any other electrical source like a dome light the red light will go out ??

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

I can help you figure out what's going on with your Curt Venture # C74VV.

First lets start with the Red Light that comes on intermittently. The loss of the trailer, intentional in your case, should result in a solid single red light. If this is more of your issue than blinking, the controller is just functioning the way its supposed to when the trailer isn't hooked up.

If your red light is flashing instead of solidly lit, according to the directions, a flashing red light indicates that the brake circuit has an overload or short. The probable solution they list is to confirm the 6 brake maximum load or locate the short circuit and correct it. If you find no short in the system, the controller may be bad. To confirm the 6 brake max load, I would suggest plugging up your trailer and rerunning the Test Manual Activation because your brake controller may need to be serviced or replaced.

Next lets address the Green Light coming on when you press the brake. The directions state that when you press the brake pedal and no trailer is connected that it will show a solid green light.

The only thing that I can think of is that would explain your display going blank with your dome light would be coincidence, the display according to the directions would be blank with no activity, and typically the dome light comes on when you are exiting the vehicle, so that could be one reason this is doing this.

I would also recommend you double check the installation and the ground wire, you may have a weak ground wire. The ground wire should run to the negative battery terminal, I would check there for any corrosion or bad contact as well.

I have attached the directions for your convenience.

expert reply by: Jackie C

Ron R.

2/7/2020

I have noticed with my controller recently that when I get in my truck in the morning, the steady red light is on, even before my key is in the ignition.In addition, after I shut the truck off, the red light comes on, but will go out when I open the door.once the truck is running, and I apply the brakes, the light goes to single green, and functions normally. I have had this controller for nearly 2 years, and just recently noticed this strange activity.The controller wiring was in place from the factory.

Jason S.

2/10/2020

Because you have the single red light on your Curt Venture # C51110, it appears your controller is either not going into a sleep mode where all the lights turn off, or the movement of you getting into the vehicle is triggering activity. Normally the brake controllers won't go into that sleep mode for up to 15 minutes so noticing it when you leave your vehicle is not an issue. It is functioning correctly when you hit your brake pedal changing to green, so as long as your battery isn't draining, I wouldn't be concerned. I would recommend still cleaning your 7 way trailer connector pins with some sand paper to rid any corrosion that may cause any additional power draw, and then use dielectric grease # LT37534.