Troubleshooting a HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator that Stopped Working

Updated 02/03/2014 | Published 02/01/2014

Question:

i have one of these on my hydralic brake trailer, worked fine until now, no traiker brakes, but the pump runs for a few seconds when i plug the trailer into truck, also the brakes will come on if i pull the breakaway switch i am wondering if this unit is bad my truck is 2010 chevy 3500 diesel thanks

asked by: Ron H

Expert Reply:

The first thing I would do is check the brake output circuit on the 7-way of your tow vehicle. You will want to use a circuit tester like our part # 3808 to check for voltage at this circuit when the manual override of your brake controller is activated. If no voltage is present there then you know the problem is on the tow vehicle side of the equation. Basically the brake controller or brake controller wiring is at fault and will need to be checked an fixed as necessary.

If there is voltage there then the problem is somewhere on the wiring from the trailer 7-way to your electric over hydraulic actuator. Check the connector for corrosion or anything else that could cause a short and then trace the wiring of the circuit up to actuator testing for voltage to make sure the actuator is receiving voltage when the manual override of the controller is being activated.

Next I would check the wiring of the HydraStar Control Adapter Module # HBA-CAM to make sure it is installed correctly and securely.

expert reply by: Jameson C