electric brake problem

model-b · Jul 14, 2011

Have a gooseneck trailer with electric brakes. everytime i would turn on turn signals or lights the brakes would come on. I have replaced the plug on trailer and new wires to all lights still does it.In the mean time have bought a new truck and everytime i put the four ways on the brakes come on i am stumped dont know what to check now any ideals. Thanks

bobs old iron · Jul 14, 2011

the problem isn't replacing the plug-ins, you need to take truck-trailer to a trailer shop to make sure wires match up with factory specs to trailer wires....some trailer companies use the wrong color wire sometimes confusing you..... depending if you have a 4-5-6-7 pin connector.

scotc · Jul 15, 2011

Make a jumper for hot and ground to a battery, pull the plug off the trailer, and science out what wire does what, then wire it up properly. Your brakes are getting power from the brake/signal lights instead of the EBC wire. It could also be in the breakaway kit.

Is your controller lighting up when you are having your brake issues? If it is, check the grounds. A gooseneck at work would lock the brakes as soon as you hooked it to the one truck. It would also lock them when hooked to my truck and any power was put to the trailer. Turned out the cord hadn't been unplugged and the truck driven away, the tug broke the ground wire in the junction box, and it was backfeeding the EBC to find ground.

johndeerefan · Jul 17, 2011

It can only be 1 of about 4 things

1. The power wire for the break away switch is wired to a hot or turn signal wire. It should go from + on kit battery to pull switch, then to trailer brake wire. If you have a charger type one, make sure the other + wire doesn't go to trailer light or signal wire. It should go to the 12V prong on the trailer plug.
2. The brake light/brakes wire is tapped into the turn signal wire. Turn signal wires should run from the trailer plug to only the turn signal lights!
3. A bad ground wire somewhere. Grounds cause all kinds of mysterious things. You should have (1) common good ground on the trailer. See below.
4. One of the plugs are wired wrong. Here are some diagrams to go by. Use a read out type tester, don't use a light tester when checking. http://www.offroaders.com/tech/trailer_wiring-diagram.htm

Make sure you run a good ground wire from the trailer to the plug ground prong and then a ground wire from the truck plug ground prong to the truck frame. This will ensure a good ground. Letting the trailer ground to the truck ball is not a good way to do it. Plus it will keep lights, turn signals, etc from flickering or being weak.

electric brake problem

model-b

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bobs old iron

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scotc

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johndeerefan

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