TRAILER BRAKE TROUBLESHOOTING
Trailer Brake Troubleshooting
NO BRAKES
Check for open or shorted circuit.
Check for properly wired system, including a good ground between towing vehicle and trailer, not through trailer hitch.
Check for defective controller or loose wiring at controller.
Check brake adjustment.
Check for defective resistor or loose wiring at resistor (hydraulic units only).
Check for defective or worn magnet(s).
Check for damaged or worn connector between towing vehicle and trailer.
Ensure correct controller is installed.
Check for out-of-round brake drums.
Check for properly wired system, including a good ground between towing vehicle and trailer, not through trailer hitch.
Check for defective magnets or magnet wiring.
Check for loose or worn wheel bearings.
Check for loose or corroded connections.
Check for properly wired system, including a good ground between towing vehicle and trailer, not through trailer hitch.
Check for shorted circuit.
Check for proper variable resistor resistance (external resistoror controller) to trailer (for hydraulic units only).
Worn or defective magnet.
Check brake adjustment.Check for bent backing plate flange.
Check for contaminated brake linings.
Check brake system wiring to ensure proper gauge wiring is used. Ensure wiring is not connected through the stop light circuit.
Check for worn, damaged or improper brake linings.
Check for weak or broken brake shoe return spring.
Check for defective or worn brake drums.
Check for loose axle.
Check that correct controller is installed.
Improper controller installed or settings (level or gain).
Check for improperly installed flanges.
Check for contaminated brake linings (grease on linings).
Check for weak or broken brake shoe return spring.
Check for out-of-round brake drums.
Ensure a variable resistor is installed (if necessary) (hydraulic units only).
Rust on armature plate or brake drum.
Check for loose or worn wheel bearings.
Improper controller installed position.
Check for improper gain setting.
Check for improper boost setting.
Check brake adjustment.
Check for defective controller.
Check for improperly installed flange.
Check for corroded brake assembly.
Check for weak or broken brake shoe return spring.
Check for worn or damaged lever arm between magnet and brake shoe.
Improper controller installed position.
Check brake adjustment.
Check for worn brake shoes.
Check for contaminated brake linings.
Check for weak or broken shoe return springs.
Check for bent backing plate.
Check for improperly installed flange.
Check wheel bearing adjustment.
Check for worn or damaged wheel bearings.
Check for worn or damaged magnets.
Check stoplight switch adjustment.
Check for short between stoplight switch circuit and power supply circuit.
If brakes are locked when 4-way flashers are operated, check for Pulse Preventer installed in circuit.
Check breakaway switch (pulled).
Possibly due to: A bent or misaligned axle, Improper tire inflation. On tandem axle trailers, check voltage at front axle and rear axle with brakes applied. At times, the front axle will lift allowing front wheel to lock and slide. Correction can be made installing magnets with even resistance.
Check for dead or weak 12-volt battery, on trailer.
Check all wiring and connections.
Check breakaway switch.