problem with new brake control
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Joined: Apr 2013
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problem with new brake control
I have a 99 Mountaineer.
Just installed new 7 pin plug and draw tite activater II 5500 series brake control.
Everthing has checked out with meter at plug.
No trailer connected to tow vehicle , brake control shows a single dot when the brake or manual brake is applied.
(also using light green wire on brake switch 1999 mountaineer)
With trailer attached , the brake control shows the same dot.
Appling the manual brake on the controler has the same single dot.
I ran a ground jumper wire from good known ground on vehicle to ground on trailer after I had cleaned and reattached ground wire to trailer.
Same single dot.
I pulled trailer along my driveway and only the single dot shows with brake pedal BUT when I used the manual brake , the controler showed 3.5
I adjusted it to 1.5 and went for a test drive.
The brake controle never showed numbers again.
only the dot.
I moved this vehicle and hooked my old tow vehicle to trailer with Draw tite activater II and it works fine.
The trailer has a single axle .
Thanks
Kit
Just installed new 7 pin plug and draw tite activater II 5500 series brake control.
Everthing has checked out with meter at plug.
No trailer connected to tow vehicle , brake control shows a single dot when the brake or manual brake is applied.
(also using light green wire on brake switch 1999 mountaineer)
With trailer attached , the brake control shows the same dot.
Appling the manual brake on the controler has the same single dot.
I ran a ground jumper wire from good known ground on vehicle to ground on trailer after I had cleaned and reattached ground wire to trailer.
Same single dot.
I pulled trailer along my driveway and only the single dot shows with brake pedal BUT when I used the manual brake , the controler showed 3.5
I adjusted it to 1.5 and went for a test drive.
The brake controle never showed numbers again.
only the dot.
I moved this vehicle and hooked my old tow vehicle to trailer with Draw tite activater II and it works fine.
The trailer has a single axle .
Thanks
Kit
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
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From: Frederick, MD
So if I understand correctly...on the old tow vehicle the trailer brake controller works..
On the Mountaineer it does not.
Have you consulted the install instructions with the trailer brake controller or called their tech support?
On the Mountaineer it does not.
Have you consulted the install instructions with the trailer brake controller or called their tech support?
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Joined: Apr 2013
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You are correct.
I double checked all wiring before reconnecting the battery and then checked all contact points at the 7 way plug.
I called Draw tite and they think the problem may be in the trailer.
They suggested I check all wiring to the brakes for voltage drop.
I will see if I can do that this morning.
Yesterday I hooked the trailer to the old tow vehicle and the brakes work fine.
This would suggest to me that the problem is not with the trailer as the trailer brake controllers are the same.
Also yesterday after my initial post I rehooked to new tow vehicle and the brake control showed a flashing 0.0 when the brake was applied.
When the manual brake was applied the display showed a flashing 3.5
This would be enough braking force to be very noticable if used.
I tried towing and useing both methods of braking with no success.
I double checked all wiring before reconnecting the battery and then checked all contact points at the 7 way plug.
I called Draw tite and they think the problem may be in the trailer.
They suggested I check all wiring to the brakes for voltage drop.
I will see if I can do that this morning.
Yesterday I hooked the trailer to the old tow vehicle and the brakes work fine.
This would suggest to me that the problem is not with the trailer as the trailer brake controllers are the same.
Also yesterday after my initial post I rehooked to new tow vehicle and the brake control showed a flashing 0.0 when the brake was applied.
When the manual brake was applied the display showed a flashing 3.5
This would be enough braking force to be very noticable if used.
I tried towing and useing both methods of braking with no success.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
If the controllers are the same, swap them. See what that does.
Also on the mountaineer I am not sure but check all the fuses. Don't think there is one and based upon how you wired it does not seem to apply.
Also on the mountaineer I am not sure but check all the fuses. Don't think there is one and based upon how you wired it does not seem to apply.
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Just went out to move trailer to a place so I could check the axle connections and the controller is working flawlessly.
?????????????????
I'm still going to check axle connections.
My only guess is that the trailer has not been used for some time .?.
Or Gremlins
I plan on reckecking all new connections for a possible poor connection.
I understand your suggestion on swapping the two controllers.
They are both hard wired and if I remove the new unit I will send it back to Draw tite.
Purchased less than a month ago.
?????????????????
I'm still going to check axle connections.
My only guess is that the trailer has not been used for some time .?.
Or Gremlins
I plan on reckecking all new connections for a possible poor connection.
I understand your suggestion on swapping the two controllers.
They are both hard wired and if I remove the new unit I will send it back to Draw tite.
Purchased less than a month ago.
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New User
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Rechecked every connection.
All solid.
The only thing I can think of would be that the trailer had been sitting for some time.
One of the brakes may have been stuck open or possibly both.
After some bouncing on our great Louisiana roads the brakes freed up.
I have done another test drive and everything is functioning fine.
Never a dull moment.
Something I failed to mention is the trailer is a 1971 camper.
Thanks for your help.
Kit
All solid.
The only thing I can think of would be that the trailer had been sitting for some time.
One of the brakes may have been stuck open or possibly both.
After some bouncing on our great Louisiana roads the brakes freed up.
I have done another test drive and everything is functioning fine.
Never a dull moment.
Something I failed to mention is the trailer is a 1971 camper.
Thanks for your help.
Kit
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Here is the URL for troubleshooting this controller. It is pretty self-explanatory.
http://www.hitchpro.com/application/...ions/N5500.pdf
Steve
http://www.hitchpro.com/application/...ions/N5500.pdf
Steve
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