Tekonsha Voyager Does Not Light Up Even when Connected Directly to a Battery

Updated 09/19/2018 | Published 09/18/2018

Question:

The light on the break control does not come on. I went direct to the battery an it still does not come on.

asked by: Duane T

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Voyager brake controller # 39510 will not light up at all unless a trailer is connected. Once a trailer is connected the indicator will be green. Using the manual override or brake pedal will change the indicator to red.

If it does not light up when a trailer is connected then it could be a dirty or corroded trailer connector so make sure both the vehicle and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside, where the wires attach, and outside on the pins. It could also mean that the controller does not have a good ground. The best place to ground a brake controller is to the negative battery terminal.

If you get no red light when a trailer is connected and the brake pedal is pressed that indicates that the vehicle is not moving (if the controller doesn't sense deceleration it won't activate the trailer brakes). It could also mean that the red wire is not attached to the correct brake switch wire. It needs to be the break switch wire that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed.

It could also mean that the manual leveling adjustment needs to be changed. Once the controller is in position you would adjust the manual level so that the position indicator is straight up and down.

And it could also be a blown stop light/CHMSL fuse on the vehicle.

expert reply by: Michael H