Troubleshooting Curt Spectrum Brake Controller Where Brakes Stay Engaged After Pedal Is Released
Updated 09/08/2025 | Published 06/07/2025
Question:
Hoping you can offer any help I am in Australia and I am reaching out to you in the hope you can offer an opinion My tow vehicle is equipped with a Curt Spectrum controller with Dexter 22 inch brakes single axle it has been working fine but last trip when I apply the brakes and the trailer brakes come on but when I release the vehicle brakes the trailer brakes remain on ?????? Hoping for your opinion Regards I have read your articles and will do all the tests but thought it might be an issue that you are familiar with
asked by: Kevin C
Expert Reply:
Hello Kevin, greetings from Missouri, USA!
This is not a common issue with the Curt Spectrum brake controller # C51170, but I have heard of this before where the controller keeps the brakes engaged after releasing the brake pedal. It may be an issue with the brake switch. Or some other issue that is causing power to go to the brakes when it shouldn't. If things worked fine for a while before the problem started, this makes me wonder if you have a short somewhere in your wiring that is causing the blue wire to be hot when it shouldn't. I suggest you check your wiring coming from the brake switch and from the controller to the brakes and look for anything out of the ordinary.
You could also try disconnecting the main unit from power and reconnecting. I have heard of that helping to resolve issues with the Spectrum controller.
I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to assist. Replying on this page is the best way to get ahold of me.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
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Jesse M.
9/8/2025
Hey Kevin, did you have a chance to check the wiring or try disconnecting and reconnecting the power to your Curt Spectrum controller? I'm curious to know if that helped resolve the issue with your trailer brakes staying engaged. Let me know how it went, as it could be helpful for others experiencing similar problems.