Here's one for ya....(brake controller)

[TRCM]

Should my brake controller light up when it is not connected to the trailer ??



I notced sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't.



I didn't think much of it until we hooked my dad's boat up to it and the lights weren't right, but they did work fine on another vehicle.



I'm thinking I may have a short or something in the factory connector on the hitch. The in bed one works fine.

 

[BKeence]

My controller and the ones we use at work are the Tekonsha. The light is never on unless there is a trailer with electric brakes hooked up.

 

[B.G. Smith]

There have been reports on here of corrosion in the factory installed receptacle causing short circuiting. That would be where I would look first. bg

 

[TRCM]

I checked the instructions tonight, and they say the decimal point should light up. Thye say you shouldn't get a reading. not sure if 0. 0 is considered a reading by them or not, as 3. 0 is what it reads with the trailer connected. I found no bad connections, or corroded connections, or shorts anywhere, and both the in bed and factory hookups seem to be wired the same.



Not sure what is up now.

 

[KWheaton]

Decimal point is all that should light up. My brakes used to work intermittently, and with 12,000 lbs. back there, that's scarry. The controller used to flash OL, I assume that was overload, as in a short. I bought a new 7 way plug at the dealership for $14 dollars, no more problems. This just uses 2 screws and a plug. Good luck finding your problem, I'd guess it's a little corrosion, check the ground and use your di-electric grease.

 

[EB]

IF the other suggestions don't work, jack the trailer up and have someone step on the brake and spin the wheels. If you have one or more that don't lock up, you probably have a bad magnet. (magnets)

 

[TRCM]

this is with the trailer disconnected

 

[EB]

Guess I missed that.