Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Brakes Not Working With The Brake Controller Or Breakaway System

Updated 07/10/2021 | Published 07/08/2021

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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Question:

Hi I lost my brakes on my 2019 Delco trailer I unplugged the emergency wire n still trailer won’t what’s can it be

asked by: George

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have one of a few possibilities has occurred on your 2019 Delco Trailer. Be sure that your Breakaway battery is connected and has a charge.

First you will want to check to see if the wiring was damaged that goes into the brakes from the 7-way. You will want to look for any visible damage to the wiring and feel if either of the wires is loose inside the brake assembly. You can test the wiring with a Test Light # PTW2993. If you have power going into the 7-way wiring but nothing reaching the brakes there is a damaged wire in the brake circuit.

Next you will also want to check the ground wiring is good. The easiest test you can preform is to run a jumper wire from the negative post of the breakaway batter to the ground wire. If the jumper wire causes the brake to work you know you have a bad ground connection.

If you have power getting all the way to the brake assemblies and no issues with the ground wiring the brake magnets are likely bad. You will need a Multimeter # PT89ZR to properly test the magnets. I have linked an article below on properly testing brake magnets and you will need to reference it for the correct ohms of resistance that the magnets should have depending on your brake size.

expert reply by: Bud M