Curt Triflex Trailer Brake Controller Shows Power All the Time on Blue Wire

Question

Question:

Vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. When connecting trailer harness I am able to get all the lights to work, but no brakes. In troubleshooting, with a single dot on the display, I am seeing 12v on the blue wire coming out of the Curt controller without the brakes or manual activation slide activated. The voltage doesnt change when braking or sliding the slider. The controller stays in standby mode until either the brakes or slide are activated, so I dont think its a problem with the wiring. I get nothing but a single dot on the display when the trailer is connected. Should I be seeing 12v on the blue wire with a single dot and nothing activated?

asked by: Emmons H

0

Expert Reply:

You should only be seeing 12 volts on the blue wire on the brake controller, # C24VV, when the manual override is used. If there is constant power all the time then there is either something that is miswired or a problem inside the controller and it will need to be replaced.

Brake controllers do send back a minimum amount of voltage to check for a connected trailer but it should not be enough to activate the brakes.

In the truck cab you will need to sever the blue wire several inches from the back of the controller. Then use your tester to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override. If it shows power at idle then there is something wrong with the controller and it will need to be replaced.

If it tests fine then reconnect the blue wire. Then move on to the truck side trailer connector. Many times, dirt or corrosion can cause a short in a trailer connector. Make sure the truck and the trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out.

You can test the brake output pin and it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to track down.

If the truck side checks out fine then it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

You can visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To further test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked. I have also included some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

Dexter DX Series Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator #K71-651 should be mounted in an open space to allow cooling as you drive. This is why the casing has small heat-sink ribs. These provide a little extra surface area for improved heat radiation.…

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Answer 2

Since you came from a Dexter Actuator I can help you troubleshoot the problem. If you do not have a Dexter unit let me know and I will be glad to see if I can help you out. Most issues are related to wiring or ground problems. Since it sounds like…

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Answer 3

Yes, you would want a Replacement Cap for 25 Gallon Corner Water Caddy Stand ZC-100638-N to replace the cap of your Horse Trailer 25 Gallon Water Caddy #SL-25.

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Answer 4

There are a few things that can cause the brakes to lock up on a trailer. First, disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. Then use a circuit tester like #PTW2979 if needed to test the connector on the vehicle. Have someone sit in the truck and run…

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Answer 5

It sounds like you may need to check the connection on the red wire. Use a circuit tester like #PTW2993 if needed to test the wiring. Make sure the red wire is attached to the wire that only shows a signal when the brake pedal is pressed. Also make…

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Answer 6

The light that indicates that the 12 volt circuit is hot is normal and it will not drain the battery. Think of it as the battery having a really long positive terminal that just extends to the rear of the vehicle. If nothing is drawing power from it,…

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Answer 7

The Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller, #C84VV, should show only the decimal point dot when the controller is activated and a trailer is not connected. If it shows the dot all the time, the red wire is connected to the wrong side of the stop…

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Answer 8

The only time you want to see power on the blue brake wire from the Curt Triflex Brake Controller part #C24VV is when the brake pedal depressed in the vehicle or the brake controller manual override is activated. If the blue wire has a constant 12V…

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Answer 9

What you described is perfectly normal. When not connected to a trailer the Prodigy P2 part #90885 will show two dots like you described. After a period of inactivity the controller will go into sleep mode. It doesn't turn off with the vehicle…

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Answer 10

We do have a wiring diagram for you! Whether you have the 1,000 psi Dexter DX Series #K71-650 or the 1,600 psi Dexter DX Series #K71-651 the wiring will be the exact same. I have attached a wiring diagram and review videos for you to check out. Just…

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Answer 11

When it comes to the wiring for the Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator, #K71-651: 1. The black wire will connect to the 12V circuit coming from the vehicle's trailer wiring that is always hot. 2. White is the ground. 3. The yellow wire…

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Answer 12

I am sorry to hear you are having an issue with your Dexter DX Series Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator for Drum Brakes - 1,000 psi #K71-650. When I reached out to Dexter and they had a few thoughts. First is to make sure that the drum brakes…

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