Have an early '99 F350 pulling a new gooseneck trailer (about 1,000 miles). On the way to the job site trailer brakes worked normal, moved truck around during day, no problems noticed, then on the way home only seemed to work with a little foot on pedal. The brakes still worked with the manual slider though. Switched trailer to a different truck, work normally there. Do I have a bad brake controller or ??????

 

Don't understand what you are trying to say....sounds to me it works with a 6 year olds foot but not with an adult's foot on the brake pedal !!!

By reasons of deduction, the controller is okay as it worked "correctly" with the other trailer. I'd be checking your grounds* and/or the wiring to the wheels. These wires frequently have twist connectors on the wires...they should be soldered and wrapped with electricians tape.


* - Do NOT rely on the physical connection of the hitch for your ground between truck and trailer. Use the Ground point in the hitch electrical plug.

 

Sounds to me like there is a problem with the brake controller sensing the input from the brake switch. What type of controller do you have? Might just be wiring, it might be the brakes are using more current that what the controller was made for. i.e. single axle, dual, triple etc.

 

I believe it is a predator brake controller. It's just a two axle GN. Haven't had any problems up to now with this truck and newer trailer setup or other trailers. Need to put this truck on a different trailer and see. Do controllers just go bad?? no fuses in line anywhere???

 

if it was a fuse, you wouldn't be able to actuate the brakes with the manual lever. I would pull it out and re-seat the connector to make sure that isn't it. Sounds like it just isn't getting the brake signal. Use a test light or DVM when you have it disconnected to make sure when you step on the brake it actually is sending the 12V to the controller. That is where I would start. connector should be somewhat close to the radio. You should be able to follow the wires from the controller to it.

 

I agree wtih cangim...however my first advice would be to make sure the truck brake lights are actually coming on themselves!...perhaps there is simply an issue with the brake light circuit in the truck...easier to have someone stand behind the truck to ensure you are getting brake lights when you hit the pedal...then once that is confirmed...do as cangim suggests with the DVM at the brake controller harness/connector end

Good luck

Joe.

 

After checking everything over again this morning and finding no problems I stumbled upon the directions for the controller. I called Dexter (the manufacter) and told her what it was doing. She says the controller is bad and is sending me a new one free of charge! Glad I found the manual and called. Hopefully problem solved.

 

Glad to hear it...good luck!

joe.