Troubleshooting Breakaway Kit When Plunger/Pin is In Place But Brakes Wont Release

Published 08/30/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, and 5 Ah Battery - Side Load

(747)

$60.86

Replacement Breakaway Switch for Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kits

(160)

$24.01

Question:

the plunger for the kit came out of kit ever since then after putting it back I cant adjust the breaks right

asked by: Alex

Expert Reply:

Reinserting the plunger or pin back into the breakaway switch should release the trailer brakes. You may need to back the trailer up slightly to get them to release.

If reinserting the plunger or pin does not cut off the power to the brakes on your trailer, then you can either remove the breakaway battery or cut one of the wires going to or from the breakaway switch. One wire is coming from the breakaway battery and the other wire is going to the brake circuit on the trailer. Cutting either one of these wires will terminate the signal going to the trailer's brake circuit. See the attached diagram check where to cut.

Do not cut the actual trailer brake wire (usually blue), just the wire coming from the breakaway switch to the brake circuit on the trailer.

You will want to replace your defective switch with a new Breakaway Switch like # 3802348 or replace the entire kit # 20099.

expert reply by: Amy W