Troubleshooting Titan Brake Actuator That Just Clicks And Does Not Pump Fluid

Updated 01/28/2025 | Published 12/05/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter BrakeRite SD Adapter for Ford/Chevy Integral Brake Controllers

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Dexter BrakeRite II Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Kit - Vented - 1,500 psi

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Question:

The actuator is just clicking and not pumping any fluid. I have checked all the wiring and everything seems to be ok. Do you think the actuator is bad or what ? Titan brake actuator on a 2013 Gooseneck brand cattle trailer

asked by: Steve H

Expert Reply:

If you have a Titan BrakeRite Electric-Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes like part # T4813102 installed there is a way you can troubleshoot the system to make sure it is faulty before replacing it.

You would perform a 3 wire test. You will need a 12 volt battery to complete the test and test it in this manner:
Disconnect the plug to the tow vehicle and the breakaway battery leads. There are color coded wires coming from the Brakerite that are about 18” long. Cut three wires, the black constant positive (+), the white system ground (-), and the blue wire which takes the in cab control output signal just before the first connection. Strip the insulation back a bit. Place the fully charged 12 v battery close enough to be able to touch battery posts.

In this order: touch the white wire to the negative post (-), then touch the black wire to the positive post (+). Nothing should happen yet. Then add the blue wire to the positive post (+). The Brakerite should immediately run full bore. If the Brakerite runs, a wiring issue is the most likely cause of the problem. If it does not run, there is a problem with the Brakerite.

You can also do a voltage test for the BrakeRite EHB system. Use a digital voltmeter to check the three color coded wires that go from the Brakerite to the tow vehicle, the black constant positive wire, the blue wire which takes the output signal from the in cab control, and the white or system ground wire.

First check voltage from the black wire + to the white wire - without applying the brakes. It should be the same voltage as the tow vehicle battery. Then apply the brakes and check the black wire voltage. It should not drop more than about one volt from the first test. If it drops below 10 volts, the Brakerite unit may click or will not start. Ground problems or other wiring related issues may be the cause.

If the black wire tests satisfactorily, then check the voltage on the blue wire output signal from the in cab control. Use the digital voltmeter to check between the blue wire and the white wire. Without brake application, there should be approximately ½ to ¾ volt present.

Then have a helper apply the manual override on the in cab control. As the manual override is gradually increased from low to high gain, the voltage should increase proportionately from about 1.5 volts at the start to near battery voltage at maximum gain. If a constant zero voltage or 12 volts are present on the blue wire, there may be a problem with wiring or the in cab control.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

David

1/28/2025

Hi Jeffrey, I was just reading this article about the Breakrite actuator with the solenoid that clicks but the pump doesn't work. I'm yet to try the test you referred too but what I was wanting to ask is in your experience do these actuators completely fail very often? Mine is approximately 10 years old. If the pump test works and the solenoid clicks when the brakes are pressed is this likely to indicate there is an issue with the circuit board and if so does this mean the complete unit needs to be replaced? Regards, Dave