Trailer brake problems, controller flashes 'OL'

[CKarnes]

Hope someone can give me some info on a problem I'm having. I recently bought a Jayco 26' 5er. On the way home when I apply the brakes the controller will sometime show the numerical reading, like 3. 5 or 4 depending on the setting, then more than 1/2 the time it will start flashing 'OL' . If I turn the controller down to 1 or below it shows the number but when turned back up it will sometime read OK then back to 'OL'.

The trailer is a 2000 and had moderate use. The trailer I pulled just weeks ago did not have that problem.

My problem is, I live in a subdivision w/ a HOA that will not allow me to work on the trailer in my drive or on the street, and I just can't afford to just throw parts at it. I have changed the 7 pin plug w/ no change.

And Ideas ???

 

[jelag]

If in fact you have an overload, than the most common problem is a broken wire that's grounded..... or a magnet that is loose and has gobbled up the wiring in a wheel... in either case it take some knowledge and skill to figure it out... .

I'd turn up the controller and disconnect one wheel at a time until the overload dropped out... and assume that the problem was in that wheel... .

Something like this might take a good tech 10 min or 2 hours, depending on how lucky (fast) he can sort it out...

 

[FParisi]

I had that problem with my old trailer. It seemed to help when I cleaned the connector to the bake controller.

 

[Hoefler]

If the wires run inside the axle tube from one side to the other, most likely rubbed raw inside the tube.

 

[GAmes]

I had that problem on a brand new trailer recently. One of the brake wires going into the backing plate was pinched in the axle spring. Sometimes it was touching metal (OL) and other times the brakes worked as designed. I agree with jelag, finding the short circuit could be very time consumng or a simple fix.

 

[CKarnes]

Thanks for the excellent replies. It makes sense that there is a ground somewhere. I can do some work at the storage lot, and believe I'll start w/ isolating which wheel or wire run is the culprit.