trailer brakes
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trailer brakes
hi
I bought a 08 F350 and a 09 Trailblazer travel trailer. Everything was fine for the first couple of trips. Now if I apply more than light brake pedal pressure I get at "trailer wiring fault" message on the controller. At the same time I can feel the brakes grabbing and releasing harshly in quick succession. Has this happened to anyone else. Is there a way of determining if the trouble is the trailer or the brakes?
Thanks
I bought a 08 F350 and a 09 Trailblazer travel trailer. Everything was fine for the first couple of trips. Now if I apply more than light brake pedal pressure I get at "trailer wiring fault" message on the controller. At the same time I can feel the brakes grabbing and releasing harshly in quick succession. Has this happened to anyone else. Is there a way of determining if the trouble is the trailer or the brakes?
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Sounds like one of the brakes has a short. What controller?
I am getting this as well. Most likely a wire got scratched and is touching the metal part. My trailer is easy to get under, so I disconnect the brake I suspect the most and try. Once I find the faulty wheel -the drum has to go out.
I am getting this as well. Most likely a wire got scratched and is touching the metal part. My trailer is easy to get under, so I disconnect the brake I suspect the most and try. Once I find the faulty wheel -the drum has to go out.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
What happens when you are just sitting parked and activate your trailer brakes using the manual control? Knowing the amp draw to your trailer brakes will tell you whether they are within spec.
Steve
Steve
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
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From: Winchendon MA
I recall seeing a post on one of the trailer sites about this same ishue. The poster found one of the brake wires had chaffed through and would short out just where it came out of the frame. Might be worth rolling under the trailer and have a close look at all four wires.
44
44
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I recall seeing a post on one of the trailer sites about this same ishue. The poster found one of the brake wires had chaffed through and would short out just where it came out of the frame. Might be worth rolling under the trailer and have a close look at all four wires.
44
44
Steve
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Hotshot
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Steve
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New User
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where would be the best place to take the amp reading for all brakes. Is the best a clamp on amp meter.
I wish I had a system that would self diagnose<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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I wish I had a system that would self diagnose<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Most manufacturers use a 12-2 or 14-2 with one black and one white lead in a red jacket. I am sure you know with a clamp-on, you only go around one leg. With the brake controller fully activated, you should see about 12 amps, although I think anything over 10 is usually good.
If your problem happens only when you are rolling, I would consider a chafed lead, especially since the brakes were good for a while. Since they are cycling, I wonder about the possible of a short that is causing an auto reset fuse to engage.
I don't work on Ford's built-in controller and am not sure as to the possibility it is capable of cycling the brakes.
Best of luck,
Steve
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New User
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guys, you have been a great help. I'm beginning to think it's what RV tech say and it may be an auto reset breaker/fuse/overload protection. If it's a dead short the controller maybe protecting it self and breaking and reseting like a turn signal. Just a thought.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Off topic but I had to toss it out there - clamp on amp meters.
I had an alternator problem in my first car. My dad thought it was because I was drawing too much current from the electrical system from my Ham radio. So he had me take it over to the service shop for them to test it while I transmitted so my dad could proove my radio was the culprit. I told them that their clamp on meter wouldn't work.
You should have seen the tech's face when his meter read 1700 amps
Point - clamp on meters read electrical current. When you toss RF in the mix look out!
The radio only drew 20A max, on transmit (and ONLY at peak). Not enough to worry about.
I had an alternator problem in my first car. My dad thought it was because I was drawing too much current from the electrical system from my Ham radio. So he had me take it over to the service shop for them to test it while I transmitted so my dad could proove my radio was the culprit. I told them that their clamp on meter wouldn't work.
You should have seen the tech's face when his meter read 1700 amps
Point - clamp on meters read electrical current. When you toss RF in the mix look out!
The radio only drew 20A max, on transmit (and ONLY at peak). Not enough to worry about.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Off topic but I had to toss it out there - clamp on amp meters.
I had an alternator problem in my first car. My dad thought it was because I was drawing too much current from the electrical system from my Ham radio. So he had me take it over to the service shop for them to test it while I transmitted so my dad could proove my radio was the culprit. I told them that their clamp on meter wouldn't work.
You should have seen the tech's face when his meter read 1700 amps
Point - clamp on meters read electrical current. When you toss RF in the mix look out!
The radio only drew 20A max, on transmit (and ONLY at peak). Not enough to worry about.
I had an alternator problem in my first car. My dad thought it was because I was drawing too much current from the electrical system from my Ham radio. So he had me take it over to the service shop for them to test it while I transmitted so my dad could proove my radio was the culprit. I told them that their clamp on meter wouldn't work.
You should have seen the tech's face when his meter read 1700 amps
Point - clamp on meters read electrical current. When you toss RF in the mix look out!
The radio only drew 20A max, on transmit (and ONLY at peak). Not enough to worry about.
Steve
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Winchendon MA
My thinking was same as you theres somthing chafted and shorting and resetting the controler.
I feel your pain on living in the sticks...I bought my tow hauler 250 miles from home. Anytime there an ishue its a two day afair minimum...and a 100 gas bill.
It could be in the truck harness too. Got a buddy with a rig you can try?
44
PS: keep buying Fluke meters!
They own the company i work for.
I feel your pain on living in the sticks...I bought my tow hauler 250 miles from home. Anytime there an ishue its a two day afair minimum...and a 100 gas bill.
It could be in the truck harness too. Got a buddy with a rig you can try?
44
PS: keep buying Fluke meters!
They own the company i work for.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
My thinking was same as you theres somthing chafted and shorting and resetting the controler.
I feel your pain on living in the sticks...I bought my tow hauler 250 miles from home. Anytime there an ishue its a two day afair minimum...and a 100 gas bill.
It could be in the truck harness too. Got a buddy with a rig you can try?
44
PS: keep buying Fluke meters!
They own the company i work for.
I feel your pain on living in the sticks...I bought my tow hauler 250 miles from home. Anytime there an ishue its a two day afair minimum...and a 100 gas bill.
It could be in the truck harness too. Got a buddy with a rig you can try?
44
PS: keep buying Fluke meters!
They own the company i work for.
Steve
