Troubleshooting Predator DX2 Brake Controller that Only Works with Override Lever

Published 10/22/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Predator DX2 Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(43)

$171.00

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

The DX2 has been installed for 4 years and was working correctly. The unit use to say the output whenever I applied the brakes with or without the trailer which is ok, however now it only says 1.4 no matter how hard I depress the pedal. The emergency or manual slider works correctly still reading outputs up to 13. The two dials do not make any difference to this 1.4 sometimes 1.5.

asked by: Shaughn H

Expert Reply:

The controller shouldn't have been showing voltage without a trailer connected. Typically this is caused by corrosion on the 7-way which is putting a slight draw on the circuit and causing the controller to think a trailer is connected.

If the controller isn't applying the brakes with the brake pedal typically that's due to an issue with the red wire of the controller though. This wire needs to see 12 volts to know you are applying the brakes so that it can then start activating the trailer brakes. Check to make sure the red wire of the Predator part # 58-8 is making a solid connection to the stoplight circuit of your vehicle and also that the circuit has voltage. You can check this with a circuit tester like part # PTW2993.

expert reply by: Jameson C