Why Would Trailer Brakes Only Work With Manual Override Lever and Not Brake Pedal

Question

Question:

Brakes work manually but not with pedal. It is a brake force control and a 2009 chevy silverado 1500 4x4

asked by: Carl

0

Expert Reply:

Sounds like your brake controller will apply your trailer brakes if you apply the manual override lever but not when you press the brake pedal. This is a fairly common problem and the solution is the red wire of the brake controller.

Make sure it is connected to a circuit that only sees voltage when the brakes are applied and none when released. Most likely the connection is the issue and just reconnecting the circuit will cause the controller to work again.

It also is very likely it's the CHMSL fuse being blown on your truck. Check fuse location 12 in the fusebox in the side of the dashboard to see if the fuse is blown.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Zeb R.

5/23/2020

I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado with built in brake control. When I use brake pedal the camper brakes don’t work. But they work with manual control on the dash

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Chris R.

5/26/2020

Just to be sure, are you testing this while driving or just with the truck and trailer parked? The factory unit is proportional, meaning it will send back power based on deceleration (when hitting the brake pedal) - so if you're just testing the controller while parked, it's not going to send anything back when stepping on the pedal. If it's during travel, then there's an issue with the brake input circuit (red wire) like Jameson mentioned above. Since it's a factory unit I would bring the truck up to a local Chevy dealer to have them take a look.

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Darcy

9/26/2021

@ChrisR I did the same thing with a 2015 3500. Lifted the trailer and spun the tires on the trailer and they locked up with the foot brake

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Les D.

10/20/2021

But they may not brake on acceleration or deceleration.

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See All (7) Replies to Zeb R. ∨

Mike G.

5/29/2020

Ok I have similar trouble with my trailer Brakes only working in the manual mode. I have a 2004 Chevy 1500 Z71 4X4 - Brand new RV with Factor Brakes. Our reputable? RV dealership tried for hours testing the system and could not come up with why the trailer brakes will not work when the Brake pedal is depressed. I have checked the CHMSL 10 amp fuse in the side dash fuse box and it is good. I have unplugged the control box connectors and tested the red blue and black wires and all seem to get 22- 25 volts. Could it be related to the Brake pedal switch? Or other system. All l;ights and turn signals work fine on the RV

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Richard S.

9/6/2020

I have a 2014 f150 with the same problem, the brake pedal wont apply the trailer brakes but the manual control will work with the dash mounted brake controler

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Jon G.

9/9/2020

If you're sitting still when you test with the pedal then that is likely your problem. Have you tried towing and stopping with your brake pedal? If that doesn't work then you'll want to look for the fuse for the brake pedal in your owner's manual like what Jameson mentioned.

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Richard S.

9/9/2020

I have been towing my travel trailer and only the manual lever will apply the trailer brakes when attempting to slow down or come to a stop. Ive checked all fuses that have to do with brakes and towing. The brake lights and turn signals are working on trailer just no response from brake pedal to brakes on trailer. Thank you

Reply

Jon G.

9/14/2020

@RichardS Try checking the red wire going into your brake controller. Make sure that when you press down on your brake pedal that wire is getting hot. If it doesn't get hot and your controller is spliced in with the wiring you might have connected to the wrong wire. If that wire is getting hot then your controller is in need of replacement.

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See All (5) Replies to Richard S. ∨

Marc B.

6/20/2024

Hi Jameson. Do you think the same problem would be the same for a 2022 f150

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Jameson C.

6/20/2024

@MarcB yes that would be basically the same problems on that truck.

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Brian P.

8/23/2024

there is no red wire to my controller it's plug with blue wires. i put a aftermarket controller it did it work.

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Jameson C.

8/25/2024

@BrianP is the problem that it doesn't work with the brake pedal.

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Tiara D.

11/2/2024

@JamesonC I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe, brake lights don’t work when manually press pedal, but will work when I use the brake control. Can u help

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Jameson C.

11/3/2024

@TiaraD Have you checked the third brake light fuse?

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See All (5) Replies to Brian P. ∨

Answer 1

This sounds like the trailer brakes are not receiving the signal from the brake controller when you apply the brakes. I believe what is happening is that you may have a loose, broken, or inaccurate connection on the red wire from the brake…

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Answer 2

If your trailer brakes activate when using the manual override but not when pushing on the brake pedal you may have a bad connection or a faulty brake switch. I have also linked below our article on Brake Controller Troubleshooting. Also if you have…

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Answer 3

The controller is only putting out voltage when the manual switch is applied on the brake controller, but not when the vehicle brakes are applied, is that correct? The most likely problem is that the controller is not getting the input that the…

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Answer 4

Since the controller is activating the trailer brakes when you use the manual override that means that the trailer battery not being connected is not the problem. Both the brake pedal and the manual override will tell the controller to send back…

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Answer 5

Since you have already tested the trailer brakes with a few different trucks by different manufacturers (2 of which have been used with an Electric Over Hydraulic (EOH) system), the problem should be with your trailer. The reason that they most…

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Answer 6

The first thing I would do is check for power. Using a circuit tester like #PTW2993 check to see if 12V power is running to the #HS381-8066 when you use your manual override on the brake controller. If you have power here and no brakes it is likely…

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Answer 7

You are correct, you should only be getting output when the brake is applied, or the override switch is activated. It sounds like the controller might be bad, but to make sure, you should probably bench test it before tossing it. Use a circuit…

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Answer 8

All the brake controller needs to sense a trailer connection so that you can test it is a slight amperage draw on the output circuit. For that you can use a circuit tester like the part #PTW2993 with one pin grounded and the other on the output pin.…

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Answer 9

I do have an option for you but we don't offer replacement circuit boards for any of our electric over hydraulic brake actuators and if I'm being honest here, that is no something you can purchase and replace yourself. If you wish to have…

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Answer 10

The Westin PRO TRAXX Oval Nerf Bars - 4" - Black Powder Coated Steel #21-22775 and Westin Platinum Series Oval Nerf Bars - 4" - Black Powder Coated Steel #21-2775 are very similar and both fit your 2018 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab. As you can…

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Answer 11

I attached a picture that shows the pin out diagram for the Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole #PK11893-11932 that you referenced.

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Answer 12

Yes, you can use the Reese Friction Sway control part #83660 without a weight distribution system. You would just need to use the tab part #RP26003 on the ball mount as well.

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Why Would Trailer Brakes Only Work With Manual Override Lever and Not Brake Pedal

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