If the main power to trailer is disconnected, will this cause the brakes to not work?<br>What else does the main power do?<br>I'm assuming that the wire from the controller is hooked to a relay and that main power actually &quot;Pulls in&quot; the brakes?<br><br>Just trying to figure out what went wrong with the brakes since the light on the controler still comes on but no brakes (ON either trailer).

 

Steve:<br> Your question didn't make sense till I read your last statement. The same thing would happen when the add on back up lights would not work yet the light in the switch would work. The one on the dash. It is a connection problem. Power to the lights on the trailer does not power the brakes. I had my trailer brakes quit but the light on the controller worked. I found a wire in the wire connector did not have a good connection. One other time the ground was faulty. Check the 7 pin connector for a good, clean connection.<br><br>..Preston..

 

So long as you have no obviously broken or disconnected wires, always assume you have a grounding problem when trouble shooting trailer wires. 9 times out of 10 you will find that to be the problem.<br><br>My .02<br><br>Good luck.

 

The power, as seen at your 7 pin socket, is meant to do things like recharge your emergency brake battery, not control the service bakes. The service brake power comes directly from the brake controller. <br><br>You will need to look for a bad connection as others have said. With a helper holding the brake controller's manual lever, start at the 7 pin and see if you have juice there, then work your way back. If OK, work your way from the electric brake to the truck verifying the ground circuit.<br><br>Chris

 

Thanks guys!<br>So far I have verified that I have an output from the controller.<br>It might be that the bias isn't adjusted high enough. &quot;Someone&quot; played with it, so that is one possibility.<br>I'll have to see if the signal is making it to the plug at the back of the truck.<br>Here goes.......Trudge, trudge, trudge (Test light in hand)<br><br>I'll let you know what I find

 

When the brake wire, normally the blue wire, gets power, it energizes a magnet on each wheel which drags on the drum, causing the brakes to apply mechanically. Like he said, either a bad connection or a bad ground would affect it the same. Remember though, the wheel has to move to apply the brakes, the magnet only drags on the drum, the turning applies the brakes.

 

Heres a little help to troubleshoot the electric brake system scroll down about 1/2 way for wiring and troubleshooting help<br><br>http://www.championtrailers.com/brka...ake_wiring_dia

 

Are you getting a hum from the magnets? Check and see.