Troubleshooting Trailer Charge Line Circuit and Brake Controller No Longer Receive Power

Published 07/22/2021

Question:

The turn lights and brake lights are going through to the trailer but my electronic brake controller is not being powered. In addition the seven pin used to have one LED that was always lit even when the car was off and it is now out. Does that mean the connection at the car is problematic or within the seven pin itself? We moved across the country from the place that it was installed so I’m not sure where to bring it to have it looked at. Many thanks!

asked by: Katie

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have an issue with the battery connections for both the brake controller and the charge line on your 7-way circuit. When the shop installed the 7-way on your vehicle and brake controller they would have installed some type of fuse system to protect the wiring from becoming damaged due to excessive draw. If your 7-way is on a vehicle that does not have any factory wiring these fuses or circuit breakers will be inline of the wiring that was installed. You will need to find the wires from both the 7-way and brake controller and find the fuses or circuit breakers and replace if they are damaged.

If you have factory trailer wiring the fuses will be in the engine compartment fuse panel. You will want to use your owners manual to determine which fuses are for the trailer brake controller and trailer power circuit.

expert reply by: Bud M