Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Controller Not Seeing Connection with In-Bed Connector

Updated 08/21/2017 | Published 08/18/2017

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5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug - GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota - 9' Long

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Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.

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Question:

I have a 2007 classic chevy 2500hd and I unstalled a bandw gooseneck hitch and I cannot get my trailer brake controller to light up with the plug in the bed when I have the trailer plugged in. When I plug it into the plug by the bumper It works what should I look for

asked by: Cody H

Expert Reply:

Since the brake controller can see the connection to your trailer at your bumper 7-way, the first thing I would check is if your brake controller is getting power to your bed 7-way. Use an incandescent tester like # PTW2993 and connect to the brake controller pin (5 o'clock position). When you connect it, does your brake controller recognize connection? Does the incandescent light get brighter as you slowly increase the manual override on your brake controller?

If it doesn't function, check the connections for corrosion, debris, or bent pins. You may need to trace the brake controller wire to find a short.

If it functions, then you may need to add a little dielectric grease # 11755 to your connection for a stronger signal or even need to add a load resistor like # DI34ZRso your brake controller sees that there is a load on that wire.

expert reply by: Jason S