Curt C24VV Brake Controller Troubleshooting Reading Voltage Numbers without Trailer

Published 08/06/2019

Question:

I emailed you last week. I have a 2014 Chevy Silverado which I just installed a brake controller on. It seems to be working. I have one red showing and two when the trailer is connected. However, every time I apply the brakes with no trailer I get numbers appearing on the controller. The most common seem to be either 2.9 or 3.5. I disconnected the controller hoping it would reset and I also cleaned the trailer plug connection attached to my truck. Do you have anymore solutions? Thanks.

asked by: Mark E

Expert Reply:

Most likely it's just corrosion on the trailer wiring connector confusing your TriFlex part # C24VV into thinking that a trailer is connected so first try cleaning that. If not this controller is prone to internal bugs so you might try unplugging it and plugging it back in to reset it.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Mark E.

8/6/2019

Jameson C.

8/6/2019

Normally brake controllers require a trailer connection to start activating and sending voltage back to the brakes of the trailer. To know a trailer is connected a small amount of amperage is put on the output circuit and if magnets are sensed (amperage draw) then the controller knows a trailer is connected. Normally a false connection error is due to corrosion on the pins of the trailer wiring connector. You cleaned yours already so that should have eliminated that as a problem. The next place likely to see this is on the back of the connector as corrosion can develop there as well. That said the TriFlex is one of the most unreliable controllers out there currently so it's harder to troubleshoot wiring problems with it as the problem very well might be the Triflex. I do have a way to test the controller though. I also attached a help article on troubleshooting brake controllers for you to check out as well. Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the vehicle brakes. If the controller still shows voltage like a trailer is connected still with the brake pedal then the issue is the Triflex.