Trailer Brakes Will Not Activate When Pushing The Brake Pedal

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Question:

Trailer brakes Utility don’t work with truck pedal

asked by: Miguel R

0

Expert Reply:

If your trailer brakes activate when using the manual override but not when pushing on the brake pedal you may have a bad connection or a faulty brake switch. I have also linked below our article on Brake Controller Troubleshooting. Also if you have a proportional brake controller and you are not moving the trailer brakes will not activate as the controller does not sense the inertia needed to activate the brakes.

First I would push on the brake pedal and see if the vehicles brake lights come on. If they do not be sure to check the fuses for your specific vehicle to ensure it is getting power. You can confirm that the brake switch is getting power with a Circuit Tester # PTW2991. You can also verify if power is coming out of the switch when the pedal is pushed. If no power is coming out of the switch than it is faulty.

If your brake lights are working off the pedal you will need to see if the power is getting to the brake controller. Test the wiring going to the brake controller. Typically this is the red wire but refer to your manual to ensure which wire for your specific controller. If you are getting power to the controller and can manually activate the brake the controller is defective.

expert reply by: Bud M

0

Answer 1

This sounds like the trailer brakes are not receiving the signal from the brake controller when you apply the brakes. I believe what is happening is that you may have a loose, broken, or inaccurate connection on the red wire from the brake…

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Answer 2

It depends on the year make and model of your vehicle where the brake controller fuse may be located. If you have a factory towing package the fuse is sometimes labeled "trailer tow electric brake". You can check the fuse visually to see if…

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Answer 3

When you bleed the brakes on your trailer after installing the Kodiak Calipers #KDBC225DAC, you will want to start with the brake that is furthest away from the actuator. Of the two bleeder valves, you will want to use the bleeder valve that is on…

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Answer 4

The brake actuator that you have or purchase will state specifically what fluid you will need to use either on the cap or in the owners manual if not both. For the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator, #HS381-8067, you would be using DOT…

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Answer 5

On a 7 pin round which is the common connection on a semi trailer, the clearance/marker lights are at the 10 o clock position when you look at the trailer wiring connection. When looking at the connector on the back of the truck, that will put the…

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Answer 6

Having the factory fuse is perfectly fine for an aftermarket brake controller. The benefit of a circuit breaker is that it can reset itself so you do not have to replace a fuse should it blow. So you are good to go with the 30 amp factory fuse…

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Answer 7

My first thought is that the water has corroded some of the connections inside the 7 way port and something is getting crossed. The connections inside the plug are fairly close together so water damage could be the root cause. I would replace the 7…

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Answer 8

I do have an option for you but we don't offer replacement circuit boards for any of our electric over hydraulic brake actuators and if I'm being honest here, that is no something you can purchase and replace yourself. If you wish to have…

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Answer 9

For the right hand side 18-3/8 inch long equalizer for 2-1/2 inch wide slipper springs you can use #13-140-3. It can actually be used as a left or a right.

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Answer 10

Weight distribution heads are adjustable to get the spring bars level or just below level with the trailer frame. Depending on the trailer frame, the head may need to be set at 90 degrees, it also may need to be tilted down as far as possible to keep…

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Answer 11

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 12

The click you are hearing is likely not an indication of a problem. With electric over hydraulic actuators you have to use a brake controller that is compatible with and EOH system such as the P2, #90885 or the P3, #90195. Otherwise the actuator will…

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Trailer Brakes Will Not Activate When Pushing The Brake Pedal

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