Ok Took the trailer out for a spin and the brakes are locking up. It only happens for a second each time it does it but it does it off and on doesn't seem to correspond with bumps just when ever it feels like it. Its not a slight breaking either were talking full lock up like the break away is kicking in witch is all new (breakaway switch,battery) I'm not sure if the brake controller is bad or a short some where But if it was a short wouldn't I blow a fuse (the brake signal is a +12v correct so if it was shorting out it should pop the fuse) The light on the brake controller lights up when it happens like I'm stepping on the brakes but I'm not. Just thought someone here might have had the same issue and could point me to the possible problem.
Electric brakes locking up = dirty underwear
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Diamondpilot
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I would check the pads. If they have had grease on them they need to be replaced, the will grab. You may also want to have someone follow you in your tow vehicle and watch the brake lights. I had this happen to a customer one time. If the brake lights come on for any reason what so ever it will engage the trailer brakes, you do not have to push the pedal, just the lights coming on. He had a short or a bad switch on the truck side of things. Took for ever to track it down. You could also hood the trailer up to a buddies truck and check things out.
Chris
Chris
It doesn't happen when I apply the brakes that works just fine. Just cruising along with my foot no where near the brake pedal and WHAMM thought someone rear ended me but its just my trailer with all 4 tires locked up. pulled over gave everything a once over seemed ok got back in and within a half a mile it happened 2 more times its just a pulse for a second or two then they release. If it was my pads grabbing would that cause my light on the brake controller to light up? I had to unplug the controller to make it home.
Soundguy
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If the lamp on your controller is coming on when it does this.. I'd check the break sense wire and the panic button.. if it has one... might be something rolling around in the controller kicking the panic button on.. or a bad conenction in the break switch itself making it flicker on / off.
soundguy
soundguy
RobS
Super Member
Might also be something in the breakaway switch. Mine caught on something once while I was backing up and the brakes locked right up. Took me forever to figure that one out!
Diamondpilot
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Yea, if its just grabbing without you applying the brakes check the brake away switch, pull the lanyard and put it back in a few times, ect. I would still check that truck you are pulling it with. Like I said before if the brake lights are coming on by themselves it will cause this, seen it before on a Dodge truck. It was a bad switch on the brake pedal.
Chris
Chris
JB4310
Super Member
Could it be a low battery on the break away system?
I would suspect it has to be outside of the in truck brake controller if its going into full lock up. Must be in that break away circuit, loose, dirty connection or short some where.
EDIT: whoops, I just read post 3 where you said you disconnected the controller, I assume it didn't happen after that? if so disregard my previous guess
Good luck, JB.
I would suspect it has to be outside of the in truck brake controller if its going into full lock up. Must be in that break away circuit, loose, dirty connection or short some where.
EDIT: whoops, I just read post 3 where you said you disconnected the controller, I assume it didn't happen after that? if so disregard my previous guess
Good luck, JB.
Highbeam
Super Member
I think you smashed your wire harness somewhere along the way to the brakes and you are getting a 12v short from the charge wire into the brake wire. Your brake controller sends a lower voltage like 3-6 under normal conditions to apply the brakes and when you send 12 volts to the brakes you will get lockup. Backfeeding the power to the brake controller might light it up too.
Check your wires for damage. I usually see this damage right at the ball where the wires have been pinched between the ball and hitch.
Check your wires for damage. I usually see this damage right at the ball where the wires have been pinched between the ball and hitch.
radioman
Super Member
hmm , try stopping to look at the breakaway switch. you seem to be describing the same symptoms i had in the past. go under the trailer to the axles and look to see if the brake wires that spans the to the other side are inside the axle or on top. IF the wires are inside the Axel like some trailers, you might have a wire inside with the insulation worn off. Take the wire out of the axle and do a visual inspection, chances are you got a shorted out wire. Happened to one of the campers i had. I took the wire out and installed new wire but this time i taped it directly to the top of the axle instead of inside the Axel.