brakes 2017/179

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Hi...My brake controller( factory installed) says that my TT brakes are not connected. The dealer said there is nothing wrong with the controller, and it must be the TT at fault.The controller/ brakes worked fine on a recent trip, but not now. Where would be the best location to start trouble shooting. Thanks

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
lgblau Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Feb 2018 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 140	Topic: brakes 2017/179 Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 5:32pm
	Hi...My brake controller( factory installed) says that my TT brakes are not connected. The dealer said there is nothing wrong with the controller, and it must be the TT at fault.The controller/ brakes worked fine on a recent trip, but not now. Where would be the best location to start trouble shooting. Thanks
	Leonard🌵 2017/179 2017 Ram 1500

TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 6:01pm
	Have you checked to make sure the breakaway switch on the R-Pod isn't pulled?
	Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 6:12pm
	What dealer? RV or vehicle? Physical inspection is first step. Look at brake wiring at wheels. The brakes will be locked if e brake is problem and trailer batt is connected. A multimeter would be helpful you can measure brake out voltage at 7 pin. I would advise you start by looking at it.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 6:15pm
	The trailer connector would be the most likely culprit, crud and water can easily get in there. Try flushing it and the TV socket with WD40 or similar material and connecting it to the TV a few times, sometimes it helps to wiggle it around to clear the pins of corrosion. Be sure its all the way in and connected. If that doesn't work and you have a mulitmeter check the resistance from the brake controller pin to the ground pin on the trailer end. Look at the pinout here (7 way RV standard) https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx The resistance of each brake magnet is about 3-4 ohms and the two brake magnets are wired in parallel so you should see about 1.5-2 ohms across the pins. If the resistance is a lot higher than that then the controller will think its not connected. The other thing I've noticed on my controller is that operating the trailer brakes a few times can get the controller to decide its connected after all, so you might try that if you haven't already.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

lgblau Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Feb 2018 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 140	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 6:30pm
	The TV dealer said the controller was ok. I tried a neighbors 7pin connector, and my controller worked. All the lights, turn signals, etc work. I have a multimeter, but not the slightest idea of how it works. I will move the wires around next.
	Leonard🌵 2017/179 2017 Ram 1500

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 7:13pm
	Also, check underneath to see that the wires connecting the brakes at each wheel are intact also. It could be that something damaged the wiring there. As for the electrical connector, try getting some electrical contact cleaner and use that to flush out the connector. Afterward, apply a thin coat of silicone dielectric grease to keep out water and prevent corrosion. Also, if possible, store the trailer's connector pointed downward so water will not flow into it. The tow vehicle's connector has or should have a cover so that is somewhat protected. There is a mount one can get that attaches to the A frame and serves to hold the connector, Here is one example: https://www.amazon.com/Holder-Stay-Put-Trailer-Camper-Electrical/dp/B00IN9II5E/. And here is another: https://www.amazon.com/Husky-81497-Universal-Electrical-Connector/dp/B00LMGMCV6/. I use the first type and have been very happy with it.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 7:35pm
	The multimeter is pretty easy to use. If cleaning up the connectors doesn't work and there are no obvious loose wires, turn it to the ohms scale, stick one pin probe into the ground connector slot on the trailer connector and the other pin probe into the brake controller slot as per the etrailer diagram. Read the display. That's all there is to it.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

lgblau Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Feb 2018 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 140	Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 10:15pm
	Thanks offgrid. I will try the multimeter.
	Leonard🌵 2017/179 2017 Ram 1500

Motor7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Location: E. TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 196	Posted: 19 Jan 2019 at 6:29am
	I use White Vinegar to clean elec connections...it works excellent to get off any corrosion or oxidation. Put some in a glass and drop the end of the 7-pin in there. Let is sit for 5-8 min then remove and rinse thoroughly with water. For the 7-pin one on the TV you can 'paint' the vinegar in there using small brush(a old toothbrush will even do) & don't be shy with the amount, then again let it sit then rinse well. Also, make sure the ground(White) wire on the harness has a clean tight connection with the TV or the trailer.
	2016 R-Pod 176T

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 19 Jan 2019 at 7:24am
	If your controller is telling you it's the brakes, but everything else is working, then there are really only 2 possible culprits. The 7 pin connector, or the brake wiring itself. Both are easy to check. The brakes are a simple, single 12v DC circuit. Polarity doesn't matter. Look under the trailer, start back at the axle, and look at the 2 wires that come out of the back of the brake mounting plates. just follow them and trace them, the odds are extremely high that you will find a bad or broken wire or connector. Just repair as needed. Clean your 7 pin connector on both the truck and the umbilical. Need to do that once or twice a year anyways. I use QD Contact Cleaner.