Troubleshooting Curt Triflex Brake Controller that Locks Brakes Up On Lightest Setting

Updated 06/25/2020 | Published 05/17/2016

Question:

Trailer brakes locking up after setup done with least aggressive settingscant seem to get trailer brakes to come on smoothly Initially, I was able to setup the trailer brakes to come on smoothly, but since then, theyve been coming on with too much force despite using L1 sensitivity and very low output voltage. Any suggestions? Thanks

asked by: Ed

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your brake output circuit may be shorting out to the stoplight circuit of your trailer wiring and that is why the brakes want to lock up immediately. An easy way to test this is to check to see if the brakes end up pulsating when you have either blinker on. If so, then what I described is happening.

Otherwise, did the brake controller's position change? Since it is a proportional controller it has to sit level horizontally and vertically to allow the controller to function properly.

The Curt Triflex has a 90-degree plane vertically that it can be mounted and 40 degrees horizontally.

expert reply by: Jameson C

K C.

6/22/2020

I have the same or a similar problem. No matter what the setting of the controller is, when I hit the brakes the trailer locks up and stays locked for 5 to 10 seconds after the brake pedal is released. The controller reads "dc" the entire time the brakes are lock.

Chris R.

6/25/2020

I would make sure the red wire from the controller is spliced into the correct brake switch wire on the vehicle (the wire that ONLY gets power when the brake pedal is depressed). Also inspect the tow vehicle and trailer side 7-Way connectors for any corrosion built up inside the pins that might be causing a short, cleaning out as needed. If that doesn't help I would just try resetting the controller by disconnecting it from power for a bit and connecting it again.