Trailer Brakes do not Work After Replacing 7-Way Connector on a PJ Deckover Trailer

Updated 08/31/2012 | Published 08/28/2012

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Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV Blade-Style Trailer Socket - Vehicle End

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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Question:

I have a PJ deckover trailer and just had to replace the round plug in on the trailer wire. Since I replaced the plug I now have everything but brakes. All of the lights work including the brake lights. I have power going into the juntion box to the brake wire but no brakes. The brakes worked fine before.

asked by: Keith K

Expert Reply:

The first step that I would recommend when troubleshooting this issue is to check all of your connections again. More often than not, when the wiring on a trailer is altered, connections can come loose or bend, pinch or fray. I would recommend checking each connection point on the brake circuit to look for any bent, pinched, frayed or exposed sections of the wire that could be causing a short or a stop in the circuit.

If you have power on the brake circuit going into the junction box, but not coming out, then the issue is probably with a connection in the junction box. You can use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test for a signal on the brake circuit. If you do have power coming out of the junction box, then I would recommend following the brake wire to each brake assembly to determine where the power terminates.

If the power is making it all the way to the brake assemblies, then it may be possible that the brake magnets either need to be adjusted or replaced.

If you do not find a solution or the cause of the problem, then let me know what you come up with after doing this troubleshooting and we can take further steps. I have attached an article on trailer wiring that you may find helpful when troubleshooting this issue.

expert reply by: John H