Trailer Brakes Do Not Activate With Brake Pedal When Trailer is Sitting Still

Updated 08/27/2024 | Published 12/28/2016

Question:

I have to get back over to that project and do some more troubleshooting. So, based on answer that I received; " it is possible that the trailer brakes may not apply via depressing the brake pedal while sitting still", what would be the appropriate way to check and see if the trailer brakes are working properly via depressing the foot pedal? Just a reminder, I jacked up the trailer while everything was hooked up, spun the wheels and had someone hit the brake pedal (the tractor had full air pressure), the brakes did not apply. I spun the tires again and had them use the "Controller's" override sliding switch and the brakes locked up immediately. I also learned that the "controller's" green light stays on constantly (even when the key switch is off) and is warm to the touch. This does not seem right to me.

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

Actually that is a possibility. Proportional brake controllers will not engage the brakes with the pedal unless the tow vehicle is in motion.

Another possibility is the red wire from the brake controller isn't connected correctly. It needs to be connected to the cold side of the stop light switch or the wire that is hot only when the brake pedal is pressed. I would also check any fuses related to towing and replace if necessary.

If none of these ideas solves your problem let me know and we'll continue to troubleshoot.

expert reply by: Charles S

Jeff

12/28/2016

Charles S.

12/28/2016

The wheels spinning wouldn't change anything as to whether the controller will engage the brakes or not. The controller senses the motion of the vehicle, and applies the brakes with the same degree of force that the vehicle is slowing down. If the vehicle (or controller) isn't moving there is no degree of force. The only way to really test it is to drive. The best way is to find an open, empty parking lot and drive slow. The green light staying on depends on the controller. Some, like the Tekonsha Voyager # 39510, will always have a light on as long as the trailer is connected, even with the tow vehicle turned off. To get the light to stop you need to unhook the trailer.

Amber

4/11/2020

I just bought a new truck that has one of the Prodigy trailer brakes. My old truck had the same one. As I’m driving it always shows a reading and fluctuates. My new truck does the same thing. So is this normal? I’ve just been turning it all the way down and then when I need them I turn them up and apply manually.

Chris R.

4/13/2020

Is the controller showing a constant brake output number or is it an error message that keeps popping up? Does the controller work at all when you actually step on the brake pedal during travel - or is the manual lever the only thing you're able to use?

Amber

4/13/2020

From what I can tell it seems like it only works when I use the manual lever. But idk for sure because if i use the manual lever i can feel it jolt a little. If i use the break it doesn’t do that. It shows a constant output number but it’s only while I’m moving and it’s constantly changing numbers.

Chris R.

4/15/2020

From what I gather I think your Prodigy controller is actually functioning normally. Seeing a display power output during travel is normal, and it's going to fluctuate based on your deceleration. Using the manual lever will send back full power to the brakes every time, which is why you can feel that "jolt" when applying it. Stepping on the brake pedal will send back power proportionate to your deceleration - so tapping on the brakes as you roll through a quiet neighborhood isn't going to send back an awful lot. What I recommend doing is taking the trailer out to an empty parking lot to really test its performance. Try slamming on the brakes going at a relatively steady pace to see if can feel the brakes grab. Let me know what you find.

Amber

4/15/2020

Awesome I will try that. Thank you so much

Chris R.

4/16/2020

Great! Please don't hesitate to let me know if any issues come up. We're here to help.

Shawn

8/27/2024

Iv bought two brake controllers for my 2000 chevy silverado 1500, first controller worked for a few months then quite. I bought another it has never worked. The manual slide works the trailer but the pedal does not. Iv checked fuses and red wire .could my pedal switch cause my problem.

Jon G.

8/27/2024

@Shawn Potentially. If you have a proportional brake controller then it won't be sending power to the trailer brakes with the pedal when you are sitting still. There is a sensor inside the controller that helps it determine if, when, and how much braking to apply to your trailer. If this is happening while you're out and moving or you have a time-delayed controller then it definitely does sound like an issue with the stop light switch and you'll want to make sure that red wire is connected to a wire that only gets hot when the brake pedal is pressed.