The brakes dont seem to be working on the horse trailer. When you step on the brake, the light on the brake controller goes red for a second then goes out completely. Off the brake, it goes back to green. I took a look underneath and found all the ground wires coming out of the drums were either broken or had corroded grounds. I figured this was the issue. I fixed all the grounds and checked all the wiring from each brake drum to the trailer connector. Everything seems good yet the brake controller light goes red then goes out . I know the controller is working because my car trailer brakes work fine with it. Do you think I might have a shorted solenoid inside one of the drums?
there aren't any soleniods in the drums, its just a electro magnet in the drums. The red light is your indicator something is wrong with the electrical system for sure. The green light is telling you the trailer is wired correctly to the truck untill you put the brakes on. Possible the reason the red light goes out is because the ground is breaking and maybe just fixing the grounds will solve your problem. But Chances are your wires are broken that go into the magnets and if the grounds are broken its a good indication the power wire going into the magnet is broke too. YOu'll prob have to remove the drums and replace the magnets. take them with you to your trailer supply dealer as there are a few variations of the magnets so you get the right ones.
I agree. Also check the trailer and reciever plug. Could have some corrosion. Two years ago when ever it rained my trailer brakes would turn off. That red light would go off. In my case I had NEVER replaced any parts on the trailer and its an old trailer. So I figured it was time, so I ordered from Northern all new brakes, hubs and wheel assemblies along with suspension parts, light assemblies and I re-wired the trailer replaced everything. The cost was not bad at all and well worth the peace of mind. Even hooked up a manual break away break system. I would guess you still have a bad ground or lead wire to the brake assembly. Jason go through it again, disconnet wires and grind up the surface area for the ground connections. Get someone inside the car when its all hooked up to work the brake pedal and have the trailer jacked up with the wheels off the ground while you check the connections with a test light you can even spin each wheel and have your helper hit the brakes maybe its only one side shorting out.
Thanks for the advice guys. I will check it out some more during the week and let you know what I find.
Jason, are you using a 7 pin to 6 pin adapter by chance? There are 2 different configurations for a couple of the wires in the adapter depending on the specific trailer. The instructions call for reversing the 2 wires. We ran in to this on one of the sheriff's department truck and trailer set ups we were working on. Just a thought. Jeff
Thats pretty good there Jeff! As a matter of fact I am. But the adapter has been on there since new. The trailer is a 1998. I was planning on wiring in the correct plug this week. Ive always had persistent contact problems with the adapter and I did noticed some corrosion in the 6 pin today.
Jason I have a similar problem occasionally with mine and I found I was losing contact in the plug . I spray it with WD-40 and plug in and out a couple of times to clean the contacts and it works OK . They do make a spray contact cleaner for these connectors . Both of my plugs are 1999 vintage , so time for a replace .
I got into this today. Ive surmised that there is a bad ground in the trailer. Where it is I dont know. Im starting to think it would be easier to just re wire the trailer at this point.
This spring when I hooked up the car trailer, the Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller would show the "C" showing all was well with the brakes. As soon as I pressed the brake petal, the controller would show the double dots meaning there was no connection. All the clearance lights, tail lights and brake lights and turn signals otherwise worked as usual, ruling out ground problems. The Prodigy uses very low current to verify the electrical path, but upon any load the connection proved inadequate. Eventually found the connector for the brake terminal in the stock GM receptacle to be severely corroded, with a green color to it. Replaced that pin and all has been fine since. Just another place to look.
