Troubleshooting Red Light On Curt Spectrum With Trailer Brakes Not Working On a 2014 Toyota Tacoma

Updated 09/04/2021 | Published 09/03/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller - Dash Mounted Knob - Up to 4 Axles - Proportional

(450)

$269.95

16 Gauge Primary Wire - Black - Per Foot

(64)

$1.10

Curt Custom Wiring Adapter for Trailer Brake Controllers - Dual Plug In

(238)

$14.82

Deka Ring Terminal - Heat Shrink - 16-14 Gauge - 1/4" Ring ID - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 1

(43)

$2.40

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(70)

$14.54

Quick Splices - Self-Stripping Connector - Closed Port - 14-16-18 Gauge - Blue - Qty 1

(65)

$2.84

Question:

Green ramping then blue flashing come on when no trailer connected. solid blue when brakes pressed without trailer connected. Flipped dip switch #2 brakes work now but lights are all red. Is that ok?. Does the truck need to be running to test the red wire for power? Thanks again.

asked by: Justin S

Expert Reply:

The first place I would start is with the Curt Custom Wiring Adapter # C51362 that you have connected between the Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller # C51170 and your 2014 Toyota Tacoma. The red light that you are getting when the brakes are pressed indicates that the red wire that connects to the brake switch is either connected to the ground side of the switch or there is a short to ground.

I do believe that you have a ground wire issue. The Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter 3040-P has resolved this by adding a ground strap wire tied into the pigtail to ensure that the ground wire is properly grounded. You will need a Quick Splice # SWC502905-1, Ring Terminal # DW05737-1 and enough Wire # 16-1-1 to reach a ground lug inside your cab to match this type of connection on your Curt adapter.

You can also test the red wire with a Test Light # PTW2993 to ensure that you do have positive power on the red wire of the Curt adapter

expert reply by: Bud M

Justin S.

1/1/0001

Gregory M.

9/4/2021

The green ramping and blue edge lights flashing is normal. The green indicates that the controller is calibrating itself and the blue indicates that a trailer is not connected. When using the brake controller in manual mode all the lights will be red. The switch # 2 that you flipped controls the output brake force. With the switch down it uses the braking force you have the controller set for. With the switch in the up position it applies 100% power to the trailer brakes regardless of the setting. Your Tacoma does not need to be running to test the power from the red wire on your brake switch but I would recommend that the ignition be in the on position to ensure that power is going to all the correct circuits.