 |
10-03-2021, 01:04 PM
|
#1
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Billings Metropolitan Area
Posts: 4
|
Trailer Brakes Not Working
I've got a 2006 Keystone Cougar. Last time I took it out the trailer brakes weren't working. I've been trying to find the problem for a week.
Here's what I've tried:
Two different trucks; both trucks operate the brakes on my other trailer fine. I don't think it's the truck or brake controller.
I checked the wiring between and including the trailer plug to the brakes.
I've jacked up all four tires, and none of the brakes are working when they're engaged.
All brakes have a slight brake drag when rotated, whether the brakes are engaged or not.
The brakes show 9,8 volts at the connection in front of the four axles where the wires for the four brakes are joined when the brakes are engaged. THe ground wire on both ends of the cut shows 0 ohms when measured to the frame - good ground.
When cut there, the resistance across the four magnets is 4 ohms, which looks like it's in spec.
I built a new 7 pin connector and just ran a electric brake wire and ground to the clipped wired at the axle. Even when brakes are engaged, they don't engage at the hubs.
Today I took a hub off and the brakes look good. When I engage brake controller, I measured 9.8 volts at the hub connection, but the electromagnet is not magnetized. I can't imaging that four magnets went bad at the same time.
I can't figure out where to go from here to try andf find the fault. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jim
|
|
|
|
10-03-2021, 05:33 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,304
|
Did you get your bearings lubed recently? Did the shop just connect to the zerk fitting and let 'er fly?
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2021, 06:53 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Trinidad,TX
Posts: 973
|
Do the brakes work when you pull the pin in the break away switch?
__________________
Woody
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Laredo 290 SRL
2019 Ram 2500, 4x4, Cummins diesel
Andersen hitch
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 06:47 AM
|
#4
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Billings Metropolitan Area
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven
Did you get your bearings lubed recently? Did the shop just connect to the zerk fitting and let 'er fly?
|
No I do all the maintainance myself. THe hub I pulled apart has good bearings, good seal, no excess lube and good brake shoes. For some reason the electromagnet is not activating. I need to figure out why. If I manually move the magnet are,the brakes expand normally.
Thanks!
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 06:48 AM
|
#5
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Billings Metropolitan Area
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody
Do the brakes work when you pull the pin in the break away switch?
|
They don't. Somehow, power isnt getting to the magnest or there's a problem with the electromagnets, I think.
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 07:10 AM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
|
The life expectancy of electric trailer brake magnets is usually determined on how much you use the brakes.. or in other words; how long and how many times they're activated.
For instance if the breakaway switch was applied accidently for a period of time it will significantly lessen the life of the magnet...
And, they may not have all quit at the same time...
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Acc...SAAEgJV_vD_BwE
If you've used the same magnets for several years it's time to replace them..
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 07:44 AM
|
#7
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Billings Metropolitan Area
Posts: 4
|
Thank you! I didn't think they could all go bad at the same time. I'll get another one and see if that's the problem. I appreciate the help!
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 08:26 AM
|
#8
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,317
|
If you can, put a DC amp clamp on the wire from the break away. Pull the pin, your looking for 12-16 amps. I’m thinking you have a bad connection or magnet wire inside a hub.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 09:46 AM
|
#9
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,979
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
If you can, put a DC amp clamp on the wire from the break away. Pull the pin, your looking for 12-16 amps. I’m thinking you have a bad connection or magnet wire inside a hub.
|
^^ This.....
Somewhere, there's a shorted wire where it enters or exits the axle tube or a corroded connection where the brake wiring is crimped to the magnet wires or a damaged/crushed wire inside a hub.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2021, 10:01 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
If you can, put a DC amp clamp on the wire from the break away. Pull the pin, your looking for 12-16 amps. I’m thinking you have a bad connection or magnet wire inside a hub.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
^^ This.....
Somewhere, there's a shorted wire where it enters or exits the axle tube or a corroded connection where the brake wiring is crimped to the magnet wires or a damaged/crushed wire inside a hub.
|
He stated that he had 9.8 volts at the magnet when he activated the controller but the magnet was not energized...
This is a 15 year old trailer... really could be anything..
I guess he could run a 12 volt hot wire directly to the hot side of the magnet and see if that woke it up..
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
