Dexter DX Series Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator for Drum Brakes Won't Run

Updated 04/07/2021 | Published 04/06/2021

Question:

Bought the trailer used all it does is thump check all wiring all looks good. Could the unit be locked up ? It was dry no fluid.

asked by: Todd

Expert Reply:

I checked with Dexter and there are quite a few different possibilities of what the issue could be for the Dexter DX Series Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator for Drum Brakes # K71-650 not running.

You said all the wiring looks good, but it is important to test the actuator, and there is a specific way to do this. Detach the wires leaving the blue, yellow, black, and white wires loose. Then use a 12 volt battery connect the white wire to the negative terminal and the black wire to the positive terminal. It should click once but the motor should not run; if it does run the # K71-650 is defective and will need to be replaced.

If it clicks but the motor doesn't run, the next thing you'll do is leave the white wire on the negative terminal and connect the blue and black wires to the positive of the battery. The motor should run and it should pressurize as well; if this does not happen, the # K71-650 will need to be replaced.

Should everything be okay there try re-bleeding the trailer brakes as that can cause delays if there is air in the brake lines. I have added a link below to a video demonstration of how to do this,

expert reply by: Kyle S