Brake Controller only Showing 00 When Brakes are Applied and Cannot Adjust Higher

Updated 09/09/2011 | Published 09/08/2011

Question:

When I tried to use my electric brakes this spring they dont seem to be getting a signal from the .controller.When I press the brake pedal 2 00s show up and It wont adjust any higher.Also when I push the manual button the highest it will go is 1.0 with the gain adjusted all the way but even with this the brakes are not activating.Any help would be appreciated .Its a Reese Brakeman unit and the brakes work fine if hooked up to another vehicle.

asked by: Gary B

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a problem on the truck side since the trailer brakes are working on another vehicle.

I would start by checking the trailer connections inside the vehicle connector for corrosion, which could be blocking the signal from the brake controller.

Next setup the brake controller from the beginning following the manufacturers instructions, making sure the controller is mounted properly and the settings are not adjusted all the way down.

If this does not solve the issue, you will want to sever the blue wire at the back of the brake controller, leaving enough room to reattach it when testing is done. Now test the brake controller with a lighted circuit tester and activate the manual slide. You should get power on the blue wire. If not the brake controller has an internal issue and will need to be replaced. If the brake controller functions properly, you will need to find the issue in the output wire between the brake controller and the rear of the vehicle.

expert reply by: Robert G