Brake controller always on???

[basilry]

I just installed a Draw Tite Activator II brake controller on my truck and for some reason it is always on. I havent even pulled my trailer since I hooked it up but it comes on everytime I hit the brakes?? I checked and rechecked the wires and everything is hooked up correctly. I should only have a little red light on the bottom of the display when it is not plugged in, but instead I get the digital reading of how much braking force Im asking for. Any suggestions? The controller is brand new and Im using the factory supplied pigtail. Thanks

 

[dmhollister]

Check and clean your connections at the trailer plug in at the back of the vehicle. We had a similar experience with corrosion across the contacts that would cause a short. This is especially true where salt products are used as de-icers such as rock salt and calcium cloride liquid. Just a thought.

 

[bnbrown]

I would check the plug, then back track the wire to see if it is shorting somewhere, if you cant find something there maybe disconnected the output wire...
My dad's '01 came with a draw tite controller and it always was on, thought about putting a switch on it (made a high pitched electric whine when activating). If there was no trailer attached it still would output just the same.

 

[HBarlow]

I think it is nothing to worry about, it's normal. I believe the controller is siimply telling you the voltage that it is making available to the trailer brake pin inside the seven pin receptacle at the back of your truck. The controller you installed is a pretty basic one that has no way to determine if the trailer is connected, or not. It will provide voltage everytime you press the brake pedal whether the trailer is back there or not.



Harvey

 

[steved]

I agree, my Tekonsha activates every time the brake pedal is applied... regardless of whether there was a trailer on it or not.

It has been this way on TWO trucks (same control box), it has worked flawlessly.

If you think about it, there is no user-controlled ON/OFF switch... and there shouldn't be for safety reasons (oooops, I slammed into this Yugo... must have forgot to turn the trailer brakes on!)

steved

 

[Gene Arnold]

I have the same controller and occasionally see the digits when the trailer is not attached. I do the same thing DMHollister does--just clean the plug and spray WD40 on it. It always returns to normal.



Gene

 

[AH64ID]

I think it is nothing to worry about, it's normal. I believe the controller is siimply telling you the voltage that it is making available to the trailer brake pin inside the seven pin receptacle at the back of your truck. The controller you installed is a pretty basic one that has no way to determine if the trailer is connected, or not. It will provide voltage everytime you press the brake pedal whether the trailer is back there or not.



Harvey

I have never had a brake controller do it, yes they turn on... but they dont operate until you apply brakes with a trailer hooked up... sounds like it thinks its hooked up.

 

[MStrain]

I have the same problem, I leave my brake controller unplugged when I'm not using it because everytime I press the brakes the relay clicks and it is really annoying. I don't tow alot but I do drive alot and it was driving me nuts, I think I might break the ground with a switch, maybe someone has a better way to do this, break one of the other conductors maybe?

 

[steved]

Again, mine has done it since day one... the power indicator is always on, and always trips from green to red when I step on the brakes. The power meter and trailer connection LEDs only operate if there is a trailer hooked up...



I think it is probably just normal operation.



As for turning it "off", I think I would place a switch between the brake switch and the controller... if it doesn't "see" you stepping on the brake, it won't activate...



steved