Troubleshooting Curt Venturer Brake Controller Installed on 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Updated 06/25/2014 | Published 06/22/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Universal Wiring Adapter for Curt Trailer Brake Controllers

(458)

$14.96

Curt Venturer NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Time Delayed

(86)

$77.62

Question:

i purchased this for my 2011 dodge ram 1500. I plugged it in under the steering column and there are no lights. when I press the brake I get a single solid green only. and when I hook up my trailer the same light only. any suggestions would help

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

Getting a single green LED on the display indicates that there's no trailer connected. Since you're getting this with the trailer connected, it would seem to indicate that the brake controller isn't 'reading' the trailer for some reason. The most common reason for this to happen would be a dirty, corroded or damaged connector on the vehicle or the trailer. Examine the trailer connectors, and ensure everything is clean. If you see any white or green corrosion on the pins or sockets of the connector on the trailer or the vehicle, it means that the corrosion might have spread to the interior of the connector, and is preventing the signal from getting through to the trailer.

Other possible causes would be loose or damaged connections at the brake magnets, or worn brake magnets. Each brake magnet will have two wire leads coming off of it. One lead grounds to the trailer frame, the other connects to the brake output circuit from the trailer (it doesn't matter which is which.)

To check for magnet wear, pull the drum off. Examine the face of the magnet that rides along the inside of the brake drum. If the face of the magnet is worn to the point where the interior copper wiring is visible, it's time to replace the magnets.

I'll link you to our Brake Controller Troubleshooting article.

expert reply by: Mike L