Service Trailer Brake System....a little different

[DBlackmam33]

2010 Ram 3500. I've read several people having issues like I have. The "Service Trailer Brake System" comes up with a light of a Trailer with a line through it. What I am curios about is, when I hook up a Trailer, the lights still work and the Brake controller recognizes it but won't actuate the Trailer brakes.

I wasn't sure if anyone else had a similar issue to this, where the error pops up but lights still work and the controller recognizes a Trailer being hooked up. I will add that this happened right after I had to charge my batteries after them dying one night. No battery issue since however.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[flan]

Have you tried applying 12v through the trailer brake pin to eliminate a problem on the trailer side?

 

[DBlackmam33]

Do you mean removing the connectors to the back of the controller and applying 12v to the pin on the connector that would control the brakes on the trailer? If so, then no but I would definitely try if I had a diagram of the connectors.

 

[AH64ID]

The trailer lights and brakes are separate circuits so no surprise there.

If the truck didn’t see the trailer you also wouldn’t get the error.

Normally the issue is with the wiring on the trailer, so that’s where I would start. Start simple and check the connections at each brake and the ground (s). If that doesn’t fix your issue then check each magnet, which is a little more work. If that doesn’t fix it start looking for a short or open in the wiring, and lastly look into the pickups wiring.

 

[DBlackmam33]

The trailer lights and brakes are separate circuits so no surprise there.

If the truck didn’t see the trailer you also wouldn’t get the error.

Normally the issue is with the wiring on the trailer, so that’s where I would start. Start simple and check the connections at each brake and the ground (s). If that doesn’t fix your issue then check each magnet, which is a little more work. If that doesn’t fix it start looking for a short or open in the wiring, and lastly look into the pickups wiring.

Thanks for your reply!! I tried it on 3 different t trailer with the same result. The error comes on every time I start my truck, regardless if a Trailer it attached. I appreciate the info that the lights and brakes are separate. I'll see if I can find the pin that controls the brakes on the harness and see if I can actuate them manually.

 

[jsalbre]

If you're getting the error without a trailer attached then the trailer brake line from the controller may be shorted to something. I'd look for smashed connectors or rubbed wiring.

 

[DBlackmam33]

If you're getting the error without a trailer attached then the trailer brake line from the controller may be shorted to something. I'd look for smashed connectors or rubbed wiring.

Gotcha. I thought it was weird that it happened right after my batteries had died. I read several posts where the error went away when they installed new batteries. After charging up, my batteries haven't had an issue since but the error is still there. I'll definitely look for a smashed wire.
Thanks!

 

[flan]

Do you mean removing the connectors to the back of the controller and applying 12v to the pin on the connector that would control the brakes on the trailer? If so, then no but I would definitely try if I had a diagram of the connectors.

Ok if you tried 3 different trailers, forget my suggestion.

 

[Bde_are]

Did anybody get a resolution to this issue?

 

[2dogs]

New guys bare with me, I am also having service trailer break system on 2016 3500 RAM, so far sounds like hunt and peck after reading comments, right