Brake Wiring Issue - Fiberglass RV
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Old 04-24-2017, 01:15 PM   #1
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Name: Bill
Trailer: Scamp 13 Std.
Minnesota
Posts: 31
Brake Wiring Issue

I have a Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller connected to my one month old Scamp. When I set the power level on the controller I can't get lower than a 6.0. or so. The trailer brakes seem to work both manually from the controller and if I set the power value higher than 6, say 7.5 or so.

I called Tekonsha and they had me me look at the brake controller display both when it was hooked up to the trailer and when it was not. Tekonsha says that I have a "slight" short in my trailer-side brake circuitry that could be anywhere from the plug-in all the way back through the trailer. They also indicated, because of what the display was saying, that it wasn't on my tow-vehicle side or with the controller itself.

So I'm wondering where to look first for the short. While poking around and checking everything, I also notice that my back-up lights on the trailer are not working. Could that be connected to the brake-wiring short issue?

All other exterior and interior trailer lights work, including the brake lights.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

Bill
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Old 04-24-2017, 02:20 PM   #2
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Name: John
Trailer: 1979 Boler 1700
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If you haven't already, verify that the 7 wires from your tow vehicle are correctly wired into the 7 blade connector to match the 7 wires on the Scamp side of the connector. On the Scamp side the position and color of each wire is shown in post #8 of the following thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ion-57709.html
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Old 04-24-2017, 02:57 PM   #3
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Name: Bill
Trailer: Scamp 13 Std.
Minnesota
Posts: 31
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Originally Posted by John in Michigan View Post
If you haven't already, verify that the 7 wires from your tow vehicle are correctly wired into the 7 blade connector to match the 7 wires on the Scamp side of the connector. On the Scamp side the position and color of each wire is shown in post #8 of the following thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ion-57709.html
I do believe it is wired correctly, but thanks for this suggestion. I've found out additional info and what looks to be a fix, at least I hope so.

I took it to the installer of the brake controller and he checked it out with an emulator and concurred that it wasn't working properly. He then put a new one on, right out of the box, and it worked properly with the emulator. I came home, hooked it up to the trailer and it works properly there, too. So unless there is a short somewhere in the wiring, it looks like it was the brake-controller all the time. If it is a short in the trailer circuitry, this new controller will probably fail, too.

The person who installed the vehicle-side seven-pin connector did not hook-up to the back-up lights. He said that few travel trailers have them anymore and that it was more expensive to do, so they don't do it unless requested. I didn't specifically request, because I just assumed it would be done. Guess it isn't much of an issue since I wouldn't be backing up the trailer very far and would never do it without looking first behind the trailer and also to have my wife outside looking and directing anyway.

Bill
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Old 04-24-2017, 03:03 PM   #4
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That's great news that you've resolved the problem. Next the road testing...
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Old 04-24-2017, 07:46 PM   #5
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Name: David
Trailer: 2014 13' Scamp -standard w/ front bunk
Vermont
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Originally Posted by Bill MN View Post

The person who installed the vehicle-side seven-pin connector did not hook-up to the back-up lights. He said that few travel trailers have them anymore and that it was more expensive to do, so they don't do it unless requested. I didn't specifically request, because I just assumed it would be done.
Bill
Interesting. I had the same experience with Toyota. Took my new vehicle in to have them wire it for the brake controller and a 7-pin connector assuming that I would get all 7 pins wired. Got it back and the emulator indicated that the back-up light circuit didn't work. They gave me the same answer - "oh, we never do the back-up circuit. Never heard of anyone wanting it". To their credit when I said I did want it, they ran the additional wire without charge.
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Old 04-25-2017, 06:04 AM   #6
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Sounds like both of you had "let's get it done and outta here" installers

I bought and installed the factory wiring harness for my 2006 Jeep Liberty back when it was new and it included backup lights.

My 2007 Silverado came with a factory installed 7 pin connector and it also has backup lights.

Might be just me but I don't like anyone touching my vehicles because things are seldom done to my sanctification.

Joe
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