Troubleshooting A Draw-Tite Activator III Trailer Brake Controller

Updated 03/09/2017 | Published 03/08/2017

Question:

I have a Draw Tite Activator III on a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel. My electric brake box quit working recently. Using a circuit tester, I have power coming in thru the black wire. The red wire doesnt show power even when the brakes are pressed, and the blue wire has a constant low voltage both at the box in the truck and in the 7 pin at the rear. My trailer light 30 amp fuse still looks good. When working correctly, the brake controller would illuminate a red dot on the front when the brakes were pressed. Now the red light will only come on when the manual lever is pressed. Nothing changes when the trailer is connected. Is my brake controller bad or is something wrong with the truck because I dont get power to the red wire when the brakes are pressed?

asked by: Scott

Helpful Expert Reply:

You should be getting power to the blue wire when the brakes are pressed. If the connection is bad at the red wire, you won't get that signal and you'll need to use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to find the short. You should get a low voltage on the blue wire and an increased voltage as you hit the manual override on the brake controller. If this isn't happening your brake controller will need to be replaced.

I've attached some articles to help.

expert reply by: Jason S