I have been through 2 different brake controllers. They both say E1 (No trailer connected) with the first apply of the brake pedal. Then most of the time it will show the power of the brakes after the initial push of the brake pedal A(usually). The second controller is worse than the first. I can move the lever over with no E1 showing up on the screen. This is fricken driving me crazy!!!. I have tried 2 differnet trailers and the truck has the 7way plug in the box and by the rear hitch. My trailer is brand new (well 8 months old) and the other trailer is 9yrs old. Both are goosenecks. I feel like beating my head against a wall. Is it the truck or trailer? I found the side marker/directional/brake light to be wired wrong, and the mfg of the trailer didn't even use a heat shrink tubing. I won't mention the name but not happy with the trailer (thats another story). Could it be the battery on the trailer? Why is it when the brake is applied it shows E1 but I can still feel the brakes grabbing a little on the trailer? I need to know where to go from here.

Also, with a gooseneck should I be using a propotional or time activated controller?

A

 

Ahh yes.. As I was reading my post I see I forgot to mention I did repair the side marker/directional/brake light. The brake wire was tied to the ground. That was repaired a week ago and I just got in the house from swaping out a new controller.

 

What year and model is your truck? Did you buy the correct adapter for the brake controller? On some models a fuse or breaker is required under the hood in that distribution block for the trailer brakes to work.