Troubleshooting Curt TriFlex Brake Controller Showing Flashing DC And Locking Brakes

Published 02/02/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(1028)

$141.95

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.65

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$13.43

Question:

I have two dots when trailer is hooked up, apply pedal and get a solid output display for a few seconds than starts flashing DC, than output display starts flashing brakes lock up during this

asked by: Aaron S

Expert Reply:

I reached out to my contact at Curt and the DC flashing on your Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller # C24VV is showing that your trailer is disconnected from the brake controller. This code is telling you that there is an issue between the contoller and your trailer brakes, that there is a short somewhere. This could be corrosion at the connection, a nick in the wire somewhere or a short on the trailer itself.

I recommend checking your controller first. Using an incandescent circuit tester like # PTW2993, probe into the blue wire coming out of your controller. You should have a faint, dim light and it should get brighter as you hit the manual override. If this is functioning correctly do the same thing at the brake controller pin at the rear of your vehicle, it will be the 5 o'clock position. This will let you know if the issue is on the vehicle side or on the trailer itself. When you isolate the wire short location, I recommend replacing the wire with # 10-1-1 sold by the foot.

expert reply by: Jason S