2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Trailer Brake - Elec Brake woes...

[USMCBay]

I bought a 2007 40' Ameritrail Gooseneck FB (used) - Problem: No Electric brakes - No red light on...



When I go into reverse brakes work - but lock up (won't release). Go back into drive -red/green light goes off - brakes release #@$%!



Elec Brakes have worked fine with other trailers - even new trailers.



All exterior lights work fine...



So it has to be this Trailer - right?



I'm no auto electrician AT ALL!



Please Help - Gotta have it going by tomorrow eve.

 

[MMeier]

Check the plug!

. . If you're are certain the truck is wired correctly, it would have to be on the trailer end. Has the end on the trailer been replaced?

 

[Loren]

Marine,



It sounds like someone wired the trailer plug so that the auxiliary wire is connected to the electric brakes. The auxiliary wire on most RV's is used for the trailer's backup lights. The truck is wired to power that wire when the truck's backup lights are on.



Here's the code for trailer plug wiring. It should be a simple matter to check the plug. The terminal number (and usually the color) is marked on the plug. It is usually molded into the plastic.



Trailer wiring codes:



Terminal number: Wire color: Gauge: Recommended Circuit

1: White: 10: Common ground

2: Blue: 12: Electric brakes

3: Green: 14: Tail, license, running lights

4: Black: 10: Battery charge (hot)

5: Red: 14: Left turn

6: Brown: 14: Right turn

7: Yellow: 14: Extra auxiliary (back up lights)





Looking at the receptacle on the truck, at the top is the keyway for the plug. There are three terminals to the right side and three to the left. The layout makes no sense but these are the pins:



Upper right: #4 (black wire): Battery charge: This pin should always have battery voltage = 12. 6 volts.



Middle right: #6 (brown wire): Right turn: This pin should have zero voltage with the lights off. It should read battery voltage intermittently when the right turn signal is flashing. It should have battery voltage continuously when the brakes are applied. My truck reads 11. 7 volts when this is powered.



Lower right: #2 (blue wire): Electric brakes: This pin’s voltage will vary with increased output from the brake controller. The Tekonsha Sentinel controller sends 0. 5 volts to this pin continuously. Voltage increases to battery voltage with full brake application.



Upper left: #3 (green wire): Tail and running lights: This pin should have zero volts when the lights are off, and battery voltage when the lights are on. Mine reads 0. 1 volt with the lights off. Not checked with the lights on.



Middle left: #5 (red wire): Left turn: Same as for #6, except for left turn signal.



Lower left: #1 (white wire): Ground: Should never have any voltage.



Center: #7 (yellow wire): Auxiliary pin: The travel trailer industry uses this pin as power to the backup lights. Dodge wires the factory receptacle that way. It should have zero volts when the backup lights are off and battery voltage when the truck is in reverse and the key is on, that is, whenever the truck’s backup lights are on. My truck reads zero with the lights off. Not checked with lights on.



I hope this gets to you in time and that it helps. Good luck.



Loren

 

[USMCBay]

Marine,



Here's the code for trailer plug wiring. It should be a simple matter to check the plug. The terminal number (and usually the color) is marked on the plug. It is usually molded into the plastic.



Trailer wiring codes:



Terminal number: Wire color: Gauge: Recommended Circuit

1: White: 10: Common ground

2: Blue: 12: Electric brakes

3: Green: 14: Tail, license, running lights

4: Black: 10: Battery charge (hot)

5: Red: 14: Left turn

6: Brown: 14: Right turn

7: Yellow: 14: Extra auxiliary (back up lights)



I hope this gets to you in time and that it helps. Good luck.



Loren

Loren,



I am utterly floored by your response... I could not have asked for a better person to respond. I am completely humbled that you would write all of that out with that degree of detail. Brother - I think your dead on... that has to be it and you are one fine American.

I will check this out first light or maybe tonight (up with two Ill children - 6wks / 3yrs).

Thank you, thank you, thank you - I wish I could give you a Firm Handshake and a Huge Steak Dinner for you and yours! (... in either order)



Members like yourself make this so much more than just a I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER-chat site. Just in time alone your information and expertise is priceless to me.



Brother thanks again - I can't tell you the headache you saved me from in time restraints. If I wasn't pecking away with a baby in one hand and a keyboard in the other I would bore you with the headache you saved me from if this trailer was inoperable this weekend.



I wish that TDR could make an example of this thread...



Shawn

 

[Loren]

Shawn,



I'm pleased I could help. I hope it works.



I have had to educate so many people about trailer plugs (not just on this forum either) that I finally typed up a document in my word processor that has all that stuff. It has come in handy a lot.



If you look closely at the plastic near the metal terminals on the plug you should see numbers moulded into it. Those numbers should correspond to the numbers in my earlier post. It's very easy to get it right once you know the secret.



If you're ever near Cincinnati, I'm not too far from there in Rising Sun, Indiana. I'm in the TDR Travel Companion. Give me a call and I can at least treat you to some good coffee. I don't hold anything against Marines, even though I did spend over nine years in the Navy.



Good luck with the sick kids.



Loren

 

[USMCBay]

Loren,



Hey - thanks again... Yes I worked for the Navy for 4 Years. :-laf



I'm almost positive that has to be it - going to try and sneak out there for Lunch and check the connector - got your reply printed out and screwdriver ready.



Thanks Loren

 

[USMCBay]

BINGO!!!



Well it was a smaller six pin plug... but from your description I saw what you said about the Aux and Elec Brakes being reversed.



Aux = Yellow



Elec Brakes = Blue



I swapped the blue with the yellow and (golf ball in the cup sound) - THAT WAS IT.



I would have had to rent a trailer tonight for $320+, delivered it tonight 4 hrs round trip... made the run then have it back at 7am Mon morning - And throw Houston bumper to bumper rush hour into all of that. Just a pain... and all that on the sneaky so I can be at work on time.



Thanks again man...

 

[WestTN]

Here is a picture. Hope it helps.

 

[Loren]

Shawn,



Great news! Glad you got 'er fixed.



******



Dennis,



That's a terrific picture. I probably can't bring it into my word processing file (Word Perfect) but I'll try. In any case, I saved it and can print it with Adobe Reader any time. Thanks.



Loren

 

[USMCBay]

Loren,



Uh oh... no Hand brake. I have lights, Brakes when applied at floor - but no hand activation...



P. S. This is a small 6 Pin... going into a Larger 7 Pin via connector.

 

[Loren]

Loren,



Uh oh... no Hand brake. I have lights, Brakes when applied at floor - but no hand activation...



P. S. This is a small 6 Pin... going into a Larger 7 Pin via connector.

Shawn,



That's really weird. It sounds like it might be a problem with the brake controller itself. I doubt that changing to a 7-wire plug will help this issue.



Good luck figuring it out. Keep us informed.



Loren

 

[USMCBay]

Okay... I put the Blue & Yellow back in there original place and ditched the Pigtail I used to reach my bumper plug.



BINGO Again! But the information you gave me is in my truck with my tools!:-laf



I've always wanted to know exactly how it is SUPPOSED to be. I'm good now!



Thanks again,



Shawn

 

[Loren]

Okay... I put the Blue & Yellow back in there original place and ditched the Pigtail I used to reach my bumper plug.



BINGO Again!



Shawn

So was it the pigtail all along?



Loren

 

[ScottLewis]

Once again, your TDR dues have paid off.



Loren, I saw your comment about incorporating WestTN's Bargman pic into your document. I took a shot at a method that might work for you.



Load the Adobe PDF. Under "Tools" choose "Select and Zoom" then "Snapshot".

Click on the picture then paste it into Paintbrush or similar program. Then you can insert the JPG into your docs.



I often use this technique to copy PDF file photos or drawings.



Dan

 

[Loren]

Dan,



Thanks a lot. I just went through the steps and it worked great!



You're right, my TDR dues have paid off. Maybe not as much as when I learned about the tax credit for alternative fueled vehicles and save $200 on my taxes, but every bit helps.



For those who don't know, don't get excited. Congress repealed that tax credit for diesels a long time ago.



Thanks again Dan,

Loren