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Old 03-15-2011, 07:13 PM   #1
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Question light on brake controller

Yesterday i noticed the green light on the brake controller was lit up as i was on my way to work.... i thought that was strange as it is never lit unless plugged into the trailer ??? When i arrived at work, i just unplugged it from the fuse panel to prevent it from draining the battery. I do have a brake light that is mounted in the receiver and plugged into the 4 pole socket on my connector. I only have that in the receiver during the winter non-towing months. Anyone experiance this before ?

Thanks - Jeff
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Old 03-15-2011, 08:59 PM   #2
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What model brake controller do you have?
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Old 03-16-2011, 08:51 PM   #3
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It is a Tekonsha Voyager.
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Old 03-17-2011, 01:54 PM   #4
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JB, The green means trailer is connected. It will turn red if something is wrong or the brake is applied.

Check, instructions here:
9030 Instructions

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Old 03-17-2011, 07:32 PM   #5
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I forgot to mention, i wasn't towing when i noticed the light on. So, i can't help but be curious as to why the light would be on ??? any takers ??? thanks - Jeff
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Old 03-17-2011, 08:55 PM   #6
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Jeff, If the light you are getting is showing the TT is connected, then:

Well, maybe, there is a real fine drain or connection between the blue brake wire in the truck and ground.

When the camper is plugged in the controller needs to sense a resistance to ground that occurs thru the brake coils. That is how the controllers know something is plugged in.

Some how you may have created that path.

Maybe try unhooking the brake wire up at the controller and see if the light goes off. If it does not, then something in the controller is a muck.

If it does go out but goes back on when hooked to the controller but no trailer attached, then pull the blue wire off again from the controller, use an ohm meter and try to find how much resistance is to ground. If you have very much, some how something is connected ground to the blue brake wire in the truck from where it hooked to the controller to the 7 wire plug. Maybe corrosion in the 7 wire plug?

If you can at least find that the controller is OK, then your going to have to hunt to find what is tying the blue brake wire to ground.

Good luck and hope this helps

John
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Old 03-17-2011, 09:48 PM   #7
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I used to have a Tekonsha Voyager and it only takes a small amount of leakage on the brake wire to make the light turn on green. John pointed you in the right direction. It could even be a lot of road salt in the connector socket causing the leakage.
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Old 03-21-2011, 09:56 AM   #8
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I will jump on the corrosion or debris in the 7-pin. The Blue wire should not be anywhere near the 4-pin outlet so I doubt your non-towing brakelight is the cause. I had a similar problem where corrosion in my TT side 7-pin connector had started bridging two terminals so it is possible.

The brake controller being defective is always a possibility too of course.
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Old 03-27-2011, 06:56 PM   #9
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Thanks guys !! I haven't had the time to look at it, but later this week when it warms up some more, i'll go out and have a look at it. I was hoping maybe it was something to do with the plug.... when i figure it out, i'll let you know.

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Old 03-27-2011, 07:14 PM   #10
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If there is a short or corrosion based leak to ground, it will most likely be in the 7 pin plug. They are prone to moisture intrusion over our long winters here in eastern NYS, and with that moisture comes the dreaded salt. The salt causes accelerated corrosion and a buildup of corrosion residue. That residue is electrically conductive and as soon as it reaches the next terminal, you have the beginning of a short. The sensing circuit in the Tekonsha is very sensitive to even the tiniest change in voltage thus the green light comes on.

You will want to open up the connector on the wire and clean every thing thoroughly. Do the same on the side under the hatch where the trailer plug fits.

If the corrosion is not too extensive, you should coat everything with dielectric grease before putting it back together. I use the grease several times a year on the terminal side, too.

If the damage is too severe or widespread, consider replacing the entire plug.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:10 PM   #11
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when I install the receps on the back of vehicles, I rotate them 90* counter clockwise, which puts the brake output and the ground on the side, sorta helps against moisture buildup on the lowest points making the connection. The tekonshas only need a few milliamps to light the light....
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Old 03-30-2011, 07:27 PM   #12
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Well guys... today i had a chance to look at the 7 pin plug. Mine also has a 4 pole on the side. I have a receiver mounted brake light that plugs into the 4 pole that i use in the fall and winter when not towing. The 7 pin looked clean, and free of corrosion. I decided to pull the 4 pole off and then plug back in the harness under the dash. After doing that, i checked the brake controller.... no light on !! I did look at the connector where my 7pin wires plug into the factory harness. I think before we go out for our first trip in May, i will unplug that connection, see how dirty it looks and clean it up if needed. For now, everything works fine.
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Old 03-30-2011, 07:33 PM   #13
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Great!! The easy fix... however it may end up coming back and now you know where to go looking.

Happy camping

John
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Old 03-31-2011, 10:54 AM   #14
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Maybe the reciever brakelight is the same to the controller as having a TT plugged in. Who'd'a thunk it?

jim
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