Troubleshooting EOH Brakes Not Activating

Updated 03/11/2024 | Published 03/09/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes - 1,200 psi

(30)

$919.48

Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector with Molded Cable - Trailer End - 8' Long - RV Standard

(925)

$48.88

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.41

Question:

Have been very happy with my electric over hydraulic brake system I installed just at a year ago till last week when traveling to Gulfport, Mississippi and trailer brakes failed. Since then, I have gone through all the wiring, etc and tried the pull the emergency cable and didnt get a response from the pump. Please let me know what to do here as I am pretty handy.

asked by: Marshall H

Expert Reply:

The first thing I would do is check for power. Using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 check to see if 12V power is running to the # HS381-8066 when you use your manual override on the brake controller. If you have power here and no brakes it is likely the actuator. Go ahead and call Hydrastar directly to see about warranty work since it is under a 2-year warranty.

If you do not have power here then it is a problem with the trailer connector or on the vehicle side. Go ahead and check both of your 7-way connectors for any corrosion or damage. Clean as necessary. After that, check for power on the 7-way of your vehicle. If you have power here and you still have no power running into the actuator on the trailer side after cleaning it you probably have a damaged 7-way. You can attempt to repair it or just replace it with one like # H20046.

If you do not have power on the vehicle side check right behind your 7-way. If you have power here but not at the connector it could be a loose pin. If all of that checks out go ahead and check for power behind your brake controller to make sure it is not the issue. If it is, double check all of the wiring and ground connection. If power is coming out of the brake controller then it may be a short in the vehicle wiring. If this is factory wiring you can also check the trailer fuses to make sure they aren't blown.

expert reply by: Robin H