Troubleshooting A Non-Working Autowbrake Trailer Brake Controller

Published 10/10/2023

Question:

Purchased Autwbrake and installed. Followed instructions and connected wires as instructed. The Autowbrake shows its getting 12V to system and well as to the fuse. As the small cap on the fuse was not attached when arrived, so it made it easy to diagnose voltage at that point. I get no LED lights on Autobrake when pressing both buttons on top of system. I do get a LED light on the system when brakes are released, but no effect on the electric brakes. I tried to and diagnosed issue for a couple of weeks. All lights work on trailer and there is 12V going to brake wire. I finely took it off and installed a traditional brake controller and it worked perfect. I just cant get this to calibrate or respond to the pressing of the two buttons on the Autowbrake. The vehicle is a 2013 Chevy Silverado LTZ with tow package. It took me 30 minutes to install dash controller.

asked by: Ray

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since you confirmed the Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller # 3430001 had 12v power running to it the only only other thing to really check would be that the rest of the 5 wires were spliced into the proper circuits. With proper power and ground even if it wasn't activating the brakes you should be able to adjust the gain settings and get the corresponding amount of flashing lights. I've run into issues before where I ran a separate ground to the trailer frame and that solved the issue so I would start with that first.

If you still can't get it to even light up when changing settings then I would reach out to the manufacturer for a warranty replacement as there is likely a defect with the unit and wasn't really anything wrong on your part.

expert reply by: Kevin C