Tekonsha Power Trac Brake Controller # 39523 No Longer Applying Brakes When Brake Pedal Pushed

Updated 01/02/2012 | Published 12/31/2011

Question:

My break controller used to work great. Now it will not activate the trailer brakes. The green light will go to a slight red colour when depressing the brakes or activating the controller but the brakes do not activate. Any ideas what the problem might be?

asked by: Terry

Expert Reply:

It sounds as if you might try to adjust the power settings on your brake controller. There is only one adjustment on the Tekonsha Power Trac Brake Controller, part # 39523. It is the power gain setting and should be adjusted so the trailer brakes are close to but do not lock up, with each different load on the trailer.

The Power setting is turned up and down to increase or decrease the amount of power sent to the trailer brakes. If you have the power setting set too low on a time delayed controller the power sent to the brakes, even in a slow stopping situation, will not activate the brakes. This is why it is important to readjust the controller each time the load on or in your trailer changes. I am including a link to a video review on the Power Trac brake controller.

The brake pedal switch wire on your brake controller should only have power when the brake pedal is activated. The red wire going into the brake controller only tells the controller that the brakes have been activated and that the trailer brakes need to be applied. This wire does not control output in any way, the brake controller, controls output, so if the red wire is connected to the proper source and the brake controller cannot be adjusted, it probably needs to be replaced.

If you determine you need to replace the controller, I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885, which brakes in proportion to the speed in which the vehicle is slowing. This type of controller works more seamlessly and reduces wear on the vehicle and trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Jeff D