Help with new Jordan wiring - I got trouble

[Walker]

Is it my wiring, my controller, or the trailers fault? I've got an 01 with the factory harness [blue plug], and the corresponding wires from the Jordan attached [in order from oem truck plug to Jordan controller as follows]: Black to White [ground], Red to Red [30amp power], and Blue to Blue [electric brakes]. I left the White with Orange stripe unhooked [vehicle brakes]. Does this sound right?



If so, here's what's happening. This is the second trailer [time] that when I plug in, it immediately locks up the brakes on the trailer. I've got no continuity light at all. Any ideas please? Thanks.[/time]

 

[WestTN]

You need to hook the Brake Sense wire from your Jordan to the vehicle white with tan tracer wire. Most of the wiring in these newer trucks is different than older stuff. The lights are wired permanently to the positive voltage and the ground is switched to activate the light. So, the brake circuit is probably the same. Failure to connect the brake sense wire may be the reason the brakes are locking. The circuit is probably set up to sense a low as brakes applied.

 

[Walker]

I did a "search" first, and found that we only need 3 wires hooked up when you have the factory "plug". That's why I left the one undone. You think I need to hook up the wire that says "vehicle brakes" too?



still confused.

 

[Joe Pool]

Walker,



Have you visually checked or used a meter to verify that the tow vehicle and trailer plugs are wired properly? Just a thought.



From your first post it sounds like you have the controller wired correctly. Does your control cable move easily or is it possibly hanging up and applying the brakes? You might try disconnecting the control cable from the bracket to see if the brakes unlock. You could possibly have a bad controller or a misadjusted control cable.



Joe

 

[WestTN]

The vehicle brakes wire is how the controller is told to apply the brakes. Without that one, the thing is just a paperweight.

 

[Joe Pool]

WestTN,



A Jordan controller doesn't use a "brake sense" wire.



The connections are as follows:

1) Blue wire to trailer brakes

2) White wire to battery ground

3) Red wire to battery positive



4) Control cable (nonelectrical) to brake pedal arm bracket



The wire colors are the ones on the controller.



The Jordan is controlled by brake pedal movement, not electrical or inertial input.



Hope this helps.



Joe

 

[Walker]

Joe, that's what I figured as well. That's why I left the "vehicle brakes" white w/ stripe wire unattached. Isn't the ground wire included on the plug [white to black in my case]? If so, it sounds like I'm wired right. Could be the two trailers I've used [borrowed] are wired wrong [or differently]. Or could the controller be fried. What are the signs of that?

 

[Joe Pool]

Walker,



Try checking this link out http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/troubleShoot.html

I'm not sure how to tell if a controller is bad, but they might be able to help you.



You could also try contacting Jordan Research directly. The toll free help number in my Jordan book is 1-800-533-0306 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST Monday thru Friday.



Joe

 

[ropinfool2]

Do you have the 7 pin plug or are you using a 6 pin? The 6 pins can be wired two different ways depending on trailer manufacturer. The hot and brake wire are swapped between the two. So if you are using a trailer with a 6 pin and an adapter to a seven, you need the correct adapter also. Did this work with the old brake controller? Was everything working before you changed the controllers out? Give us more info and maybe we can help you out. John