Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Brakes That Don't Activate Simultaneously

Updated 03/18/2021 | Published 03/15/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - XL LCD Display

(5)

$40.47

Replacement Magnet Kit for 12" Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs

(154)

$26.88

Question:

Electric trailer brakes. 7000# 4 wheel trailer. Right side activates before left side. Disassembeled cleaned and adjusted everything, checked wireing. Same problem. Any suggestions?

asked by: Charles C

Helpful Expert Reply:

For testing this I recommend a Multimeter # PT29ZR to check the different components of the braking system. You can test the continuity of your wiring from the 7-Way to each individual brake magnet. It can help you identify if there is damage internal to wiring that you cannot see. If that checks out you should test the magnets in the brakes themselves. We have a great Article for this linked below. For your brake magnets each one should have 3.0-3.8 Ohms of resistance.

Then to determine if a brake magnet has an internal short, touch the base of the brake magnet to the negative post of a 12-volt battery. Then, connect one of the brake magnet wires to the negative lead of a multimeter and the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery. If any amperage is detected, the magnet is shorted and will need to be replaced.

If you determine that any of the magnets are bad I recommend Replacement Magnet Kit # AKBRKR-M12. They are compatible with brake assemblies from most manufacturers. If these won't work for your application or everything tests okay, please let me know and I will help you any way that I can.

expert reply by: Bud M