Why Would Trailer Brakes Only Work With Manual Override Lever and Not Brake Pedal

Question

Question:

Brakes work manually but not with pedal. It is a brake force control and a 2009 chevy silverado 1500 4x4

asked by: Carl

0

Expert Reply:

Sounds like your brake controller will apply your trailer brakes if you apply the manual override lever but not when you press the brake pedal. This is a fairly common problem and the solution is the red wire of the brake controller.

Make sure it is connected to a circuit that only sees voltage when the brakes are applied and none when released. Most likely the connection is the issue and just reconnecting the circuit will cause the controller to work again.

It also is very likely it's the CHMSL fuse being blown on your truck. Check fuse location 12 in the fusebox in the side of the dashboard to see if the fuse is blown.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Zeb R.

5/23/2020

I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado with built in brake control. When I use brake pedal the camper brakes don’t work. But they work with manual control on the dash

Chris R.

5/26/2020

Just to be sure, are you testing this while driving or just with the truck and trailer parked? The factory unit is proportional, meaning it will send back power based on deceleration (when hitting the brake pedal) - so if you're just testing the controller while parked, it's not going to send anything back when stepping on the pedal. If it's during travel, then there's an issue with the brake input circuit (red wire) like Jameson mentioned above. Since it's a factory unit I would bring the truck up to a local Chevy dealer to have them take a look.

Darcy

9/26/2021

@ChrisR I did the same thing with a 2015 3500. Lifted the trailer and spun the tires on the trailer and they locked up with the foot brake

Les D.

10/20/2021

But they may not brake on acceleration or deceleration.

See All (8) Replies to Zeb R. ∨

Mike G.

5/29/2020

Ok I have similar trouble with my trailer Brakes only working in the manual mode. I have a 2004 Chevy 1500 Z71 4X4 - Brand new RV with Factor Brakes. Our reputable? RV dealership tried for hours testing the system and could not come up with why the trailer brakes will not work when the Brake pedal is depressed. I have checked the CHMSL 10 amp fuse in the side dash fuse box and it is good. I have unplugged the control box connectors and tested the red blue and black wires and all seem to get 22- 25 volts. Could it be related to the Brake pedal switch? Or other system. All l;ights and turn signals work fine on the RV

Richard S.

9/6/2020

I have a 2014 f150 with the same problem, the brake pedal wont apply the trailer brakes but the manual control will work with the dash mounted brake controler

Jon G.

9/9/2020

If you're sitting still when you test with the pedal then that is likely your problem. Have you tried towing and stopping with your brake pedal? If that doesn't work then you'll want to look for the fuse for the brake pedal in your owner's manual like what Jameson mentioned.

Richard S.

9/9/2020

I have been towing my travel trailer and only the manual lever will apply the trailer brakes when attempting to slow down or come to a stop. Ive checked all fuses that have to do with brakes and towing. The brake lights and turn signals are working on trailer just no response from brake pedal to brakes on trailer. Thank you

Jon G.

9/14/2020

@RichardS Try checking the red wire going into your brake controller. Make sure that when you press down on your brake pedal that wire is getting hot. If it doesn't get hot and your controller is spliced in with the wiring you might have connected to the wrong wire. If that wire is getting hot then your controller is in need of replacement.

See All (5) Replies to Richard S. ∨

Marc B.

6/20/2024

Hi Jameson. Do you think the same problem would be the same for a 2022 f150

Jameson C.

6/20/2024

@MarcB yes that would be basically the same problems on that truck.

Brian P.

8/23/2024

there is no red wire to my controller it's plug with blue wires. i put a aftermarket controller it did it work.

Jameson C.

8/25/2024

@BrianP is the problem that it doesn't work with the brake pedal.

Tiara D.

11/2/2024

@JamesonC I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe, brake lights don’t work when manually press pedal, but will work when I use the brake control. Can u help

Jameson C.

11/3/2024

@TiaraD Have you checked the third brake light fuse?

See All (5) Replies to Brian P. ∨

Kyle

8/13/2025

I have the same problem. I've checked all the wiring with a light tester and all is good. I have a Hopkins Insight. My fifthwheel has hydraulic brakes. I can hear the hydraulics on manual. When I step on the brakes going forward, no hydraulic pump at all. And somtimes after letting off the brake, power still read 10 when it should go to 0.

Jameson C.

8/13/2025

@Kyle The Hopkins Insight was not designed to be used with hydraulic brakes like what you have. You'd need a controller that has a hydraulic mode like the p3 part # 90195.

Kyle P.

9/4/2025

@JamesonC According to Hopkins, it is designed for electric over hydraulic. It also says on the package. I had to replace the brain and it works fine now

Jameson C.

9/4/2025

@KyleP Sorry about that! Which brain did you replace? On the actuator?

See All (5) Replies to Kyle ∨

Show All (6) Replies

Hide Replies

Answer 1

The #AKEBRK-35L-SA Self Adjusting brake assemblies will adjust themselves as you drive after the initial installation. The front brakes will always bear a bit more of the braking work, because more of the trailer weight is normally on the most…

view full answer...

Answer 2

You can check the condition of your hub's races by carefully removing all bearing grease with a rag to expose the actual surface of the races. When they are completely free of grease, etc., inspect them for any signs of scoring (very slight…

view full answer...

Answer 3

If your controller, item #5504, is reading overload without the trailer connected then that means there is a short in the blue trailer feed wire on the vehicle. If the controller is reading overload only when the trailer is connected then there is a…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The clicking you are hearing is normal. That's actually your brake controller sending a split second of amperage on the brake output circuit to see if a trailer is connected. This is basically just the test the controller performs to know if a…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Since the controller is activating the trailer brakes when you use the manual override that means that the trailer battery not being connected is not the problem. Both the brake pedal and the manual override will tell the controller to send back…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Hey Rick, It sounds like you’ve been dealing with a pretty annoying issue with your Curt Echo Wireless brake controller #C51180. Since you’ve tried it on different trucks and brand-new trailers, and the problem still pops up, where the brakes seem to…

view full answer...

Answer 7

If your trailer brakes activate when using the manual override but not when pushing on the brake pedal you may have a bad connection or a faulty brake switch. I have also linked below our article on Brake Controller Troubleshooting. Also if you have…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hey Steve, Thank you for that information you provided, it sets me up to get you the direct replacements. For that replacement brake assembly you will want to go with the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Brakes #23-458-459. This is the left and right hand…

view full answer...

Answer 9

The best option for you is going to be to crawl under the trailer and read the tag on the center of the axle. This will tell you the weight capacity of your axle which will be needed to find the correct replacement braking assembly. I can see from…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The AL-KO brakes can have a few different mounting patterns, so I recommend measuring to double check. I included a picture of how the Dexter #23-458-459 will measure to compare as well. Odds are these are correct, but it never hurts to double check.…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Based on the photo and information you provided, I can tell you have 12 x 2 inch Dexter brake assemblies for 5.2K axles, for which the Electric Trailer Brake Kit #AKEBRK-7-SA will be an excellent replacement. These are self-adjusting brakes so they…

view full answer...

Answer 12

After you've packed the bearings and assembled everything, carefully slide the hub assembly onto the spindle and install the outer bearing. Install the spindle and tang washer and run the spindle nut down finger tight, then rotate the hub back…

view full answer...

Why Would Trailer Brakes Only Work With Manual Override Lever and Not Brake Pedal

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching