Truobleshooting Inability to Shift Truck Without Hitting Manual Override on Brake Controller

Updated 11/13/2017 | Published 11/12/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Activator IV Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 4 Axles - Time Delayed

(357)

$103.67

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.41

Question:

I have a 2010 Ford F150 with a Draw-tite activator trailer brake controller for 1-4 axles. Worked perfectly until recently. Now when I press on the brake pedal, the red light indicator on the Draw-tite activator does not come on and I cannot get my truck out of park unless I press the manual override to the left on the Draw-tite activator brake controller. What do you think the problem is ?

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your brake light switch is going bad. It is not registering on your # 5504 controller or enough to let you shift your truck into drive. I recommend checking the voltage on the hot side of your brake switch to ensure you are getting 12V. If you are not getting 12V then trace that wire using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 looking for a short. If you get 12V on the hot side, but do not get 12V on the cold side of the switch when plunger is depressed, then the switch needs replacing. It sounds like hitting the manual override allows enough power draw to flow through the switch to allow you to shift, so it is most likely just a small power draw issue from a bad wire, bad switch, or bad ground wire in that connection.

If you were to remove the brake controller, you would still have this issue. It is not a problem with the controller itself.

expert reply by: Jason S