Check and Repair the Electric Brake Wiring
- Open the tow vehicle connector as the trailer connector.
- Identify the cables that control the electric brake at each wheel. Check the backing plates of the wheel where the wire enters.
- Have an assistant depress the brake pedal.
- Then connect the ground clip on the test light to the RV’s frame. ...
Full Answer
How to troubleshoot electric trailer brakes?
In this article I will go over:
- How to check your brake controller.
- How to check your brakes with a multimeter and brakeforce meter.
- How to test your trailer’s plug.
- Some visuals of wear and tear.
- The common reasons for shorts.
Why are my trailer brakes not working?
Can Smart Trailers Improve Driver Retention?
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Why is my trailer brake controller not working?
Possible Issues
- Ground wire was not connected to negative battery terminal, ground area does not have solid connection to ground.
- Adapter wiring does not match OEM connector on vehicle.
- Ground connection to negative battery terminal is loose.
- Ground wire has been damaged and exposed wiring is touching a metal area.
How to repack trailer bearings with electric brakes?
Visit Adventure Rig here: http://adventurerig.comWATCH in HD!A complete run-through of how to repack wheel bearings on a trailer. Basic trailer maintenance e...
What would cause electric trailer brakes not to work?
Low or No Voltage This is the most common problem in an electric trailer brake controller. Some causes of low voltage are open circuits, poor electrical connections, broken wires, blown fuses, and faulty resistors.
How do you check electric trailer brakes?
You can indeed test a trailer's electric drum brakes by directly applying +12V power from a fully-charged battery. You can apply this power to the hot and ground contacts on the trailer's plug (see photo please) or to an individual brake assembly's two wires.
How do you service electric drum brakes?
LOOSEN THE WHEEL NUTS & JACK UP THE VAN. Start off by loosening the wheel nuts. ... REMOVE THE WHEELS. Pop them under the van so you don't trip over them.TAKE OFF THE BRAKE DRUM. ... CHECK THE DRUMS FOR SCORING. ... INSPECT THE BRAKE LININGS. ... CHECK THE WIRING. ... REPAIR THE WIRING IF DAMAGED. ... ADJUST THE BRAKES.More items...•
How do I fix my trailer brakes?
0:073:56How to replace your electric brakes on a trailer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just an impact wrench will get it out and then you have to remove these lock nut washers. NowMoreAnd just an impact wrench will get it out and then you have to remove these lock nut washers. Now you can remove the old brakes. And there are two wires attached.
How do I know if my brake controller is bad?
Use a circuit tester, and check the red wire that exits the rear of the controller. This wire should only go hot when the brake pedal is pressed. If this checks out ok, then the controller is bad and must be replaced.
How do you find a short in electric trailer brakes?
Look for a pinched wire, or cracked or worn wire insulation that would allow the copper conductor to intermittently contact the trailer frame and create a short. You will also need to pull the hubs to examine the brake magnet wiring inside the brake assembly, once again looking for cracked or worn wire insulation.
How do you lubricate electric trailer brakes?
You cannot get any grease on the pads or on the inside of the drum because that will have a negative impact on brake performance. The magnet arm and the shoes pivot at a single point each. You can use just some wheel bearing grease such as # L11380 at those locations.
When should you replace electric trailer brakes?
As a general rule of thumb, you want to replace your trailer brakes once every 12 months. It's smart to get ahead of any problems before you have them. Begin by locating your current trailer's brakes. You should be able to see them by setting the trailer on a jack and removing the wheels.
How do you check electric trailer brake magnets?
Testing Individual Brake Magnet for a Short Then, connect one of the brake magnet wires to the negative lead of a multimeter and the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery. If any amperage is detected, the magnet is shorted and will need to be replaced.
What would cause electric brakes to not release?
A Bad Electrical Ground Can Make Electric Trailer Brakes Lock Up. If your main ground wire and brake magnet ground wires are not properly attached, the bad ground connection could be causing your trailer brakes to lock up.
How do you rebuild electric brakes?
3:134:29how to repair trailer brakes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have to make sure you're putting them on the right side or they will not work. So once you'reMoreYou have to make sure you're putting them on the right side or they will not work. So once you're done all this all you have to do is reconnect the wires that you cut in the back.
How long do electric trailer brakes last?
I suggest no more than 12 months or 12,000 miles between changing brake parts that can wear.
How do you check electric trailer brakes with a multimeter?
Put your multimeter (negative lead) in between any of the brake magnet wires and the positive terminal of the battery. Touch the negative terminal of the battery with the base of the brake magnet, and if you get ANY kind of amperage reading on the multimeter, then your brake has an internal short.
How do you check breakaway trailer brakes?
Attempt to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle. The trailer wheels will rotate a little, to apply the brakes. The brakes should then be set hard enough to not allow the trailer to roll freely. If the trailer rolls freely, service breakaway system or trailer brakes and retest.
How do you test trailer surge brakes?
The easiest way is to raise one side of the trailer and spin the wheels while someone applies the surge brakes at the coupler. The better way would be to remove each of the wheels and brake drums and activate the brakes while making sure the wheel cylinders and brake assemblies are functioning properly.
How do you test trailer air brakes?
Class A Air Brake TestMake sure the air pressure is above 100psi – 120psi.Turn the key to the off position.Turn the key to the on position, do not start the truck.Press both air brake valves in, red valve first then yellow in second.Air pressure will drop, allow pressure to stabilize.More items...
What is wrong with RV brakes?
For instance, as far as electrical issues, the problem could lie in the connection between your brakes and the controller in your tow vehicle.
What is glazing brakes?
This process, called glazing, is the smoothing of pads due to excessive heat. You can either sand them up to regain grip or have them replaced if they’re too far gone.
