trailer wiring 911 need help asap

[red_loctite]

ok folks, i have a major problem that i need to get fixed asap, i have work to do and i can't do it with out having trailer brakes.

so, what happened was, my trailer plug on the truck side shorted out. i was on the highway and my trailer brakes came on with out me applying the brakes. after a short look, i noticed that the plug on the truck side rotted out and the wires shorted. after i got home and put a new plug on, i had no trailer brakes. all of my other lights work,(brake, turn and running) i can put 12v to the trailer side of the brakes and they work. now, i have never seen this before - when i apply the trailer brakes from the controller ( not applying the truck brakes) the truck and trailer brake lights come on, but no trailer brakes. the little indicator light on the controller doesn't come on either. i replaced a mini fuse, one of the 30amp pink fuse and 2 relays under the hood. one other thing, when i have everything hooked up, and drive in reverse, the trailer brakes come on 100%, but there is still nothing that comes up on the brake controller. i have tried 2 different controllers as well.
please any help is needed!!!

thanks
Chris.

[jesilvas]

If they're engaging in reverse and not forward, there might be an internal issue mechanically.
Also, the brake controller shouldn't activate the brake lights. Someone wired it wrong.

[red_loctite]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

If they're engaging in reverse and not forward, there might be an internal issue mechanically.
Also, the brake controller shouldn't activate the brake lights. Someone wired it wrong.

everything worked 100% before the plug shorted out. when i manually apply the trailer brakes (from the controller) that turns on the brake lights

[jesilvas]

I understand. But those lights shouldn't come on from manual engagement. But anyway.
Try a diff trailer. Then you can rule out the truck or trailer.

[Turbostang500]

I like the idea of trying another trailer.

Also, ground problems can cause some really weird stuff to happen.
Power will back feed through other circuits and cause them to try and function but normally with
less voltage.

Double check your pin chart to make sure you have the right wires in place, then check your ground connection.

[mmm635]

Originally Posted by red_loctite

ok folks, i have a major problem that i need to get fixed asap, i have work to do and i can't do it with out having trailer brakes.

so, what happened was, my trailer plug on the truck side shorted out. i was on the highway and my trailer brakes came on with out me applying the brakes. after a short look, i noticed that the plug on the truck side rotted out and the wires shorted. after i got home and put a new plug on, i had no trailer brakes. all of my other lights work,(brake, turn and running) i can put 12v to the trailer side of the brakes and they work. now, i have never seen this before - when i apply the trailer brakes from the controller ( not applying the truck brakes) the truck and trailer brake lights come on, but no trailer brakes. the little indicator light on the controller doesn't come on either. i replaced a mini fuse, one of the 30amp pink fuse and 2 relays under the hood. one other thing, when i have everything hooked up, and drive in reverse, the trailer brakes come on 100%, but there is still nothing that comes up on the brake controller. i have tried 2 different controllers as well.
please any help is needed!!!

thanks
Chris.

I had the same problem a couple of months ago while hauling my race car. Everything worked great until it started raining. The trailer lights would work, but the brake controller would not recognize the trailer brakes via error message.

Even though the harness side on the truck looked like it could be upgraded soon, the problem was the wiring on the trailer. When the rain hit the exposed wires, it caused the short. Check the trailer wiring first.

[RedBKM]

If you have your brakes activating in reverse you may have your brake signal shorted to the reverse light pin. All 7-ways have a reverse light connection but I can't remember the pin. With KOEO try putting into reverse and listening for the magnets at each wheel. 4 brakes will draw 10-12 amps in my experience so I'm not sure if that would pop your reverse light fuse or not. Worth a try!

Be aware that there are two versions of 7-way plug wiring. The colors of wires on the trailer also changed in the early 2000's.

Every brake controller I've used (including the Tow Command in my '06) will light the brake lights when the manual button is pushed over. The lights on the truck and trailer both light up. My old truck had an add-on box and it would light the brake lights with the key off if you slide the manual button.

[jp45601]

Maybe if you asked E TRAILER. just maybe they might be able to solve your problem?