Troubleshooting a Brake Controller That Keeps Tripping the 20 AMP Circuit Breaker

Updated 03/14/2017 | Published 03/12/2017

Question:

i have a reese brake compact controller, its set up to my 05 jeep wrangler with a 20 amp breaker on the power supply, when activated either thru the brake pedal or the emergency switch it seems to short somewhere and pop the breaker, to ensure the blue wire wasnt making contact with ground anywhere i cut it at the back of the controller and still the same problem

asked by: Andrew

Expert Reply:

Definitely sounds like you have a short somewhere on your break controller circuit.

You will need to check the 12-volt black power wire to see if anywhere from the controller to the battery the wire is frayed and touching any metal. A frayed wire could cause a surge and trip the breaker when the pedal is pushed.

If the wire is ok, then you need to do the same with the white ground wire. Make sure the ground is connected to a rust-free and clean spot on your vehicle.

If all the wiring has checked out, then the only this left would be a problem with the brake controller. If you have a volt meter like # PT89ZR, then check the power wire voltage before and while activating the controller. If the incoming voltage spikes while in use, then there must be a short in controller and it will need to be replaced.

I recommend the Prodigy P2, # 90885, to replace your current controller. The wiring hook up is the same, but the P2 is a proportional controller the uses the inertia of your vehicle to activate the trailer brakes. Unlike a time-delayed controller, there is no delay between the time you apply the brakes and when the trailer brakes are activated.

expert reply by: Jared P