Troubleshooting the ITBM

[Alaska Dan]

14 Bighorn. Oem module and brake controller.
AlfaObd, & bluetooth reader, all check out.
Dash and display show as they should.
Still no gain, and actual trailer braking function.
Long trip this Saturday Towing 4100 lb travel trailer.
Suggestions appreciated. Dan.

 

[Loudram]

I have an aftermarket controller but I think with any controller you need a load to check for brake voltage at the plug. If you have that then it's the trailer. The link below is a troubleshooting guide to checking the controller voltage without a trailer hooked up.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-299233.html

 

[18CrewDually]

The module has to "sense" a trailer is plugged in to put out gain. It needs to recognize resistance through the magnets to "know" it is hooked to a trailer before it will put out power through the trailer plug.
Check your trailer plug connections. Most of the time the terminals inside the trailer plug need to be cleaned and/or spread to make a better connection with the truck. 99% of the time its a trailer issue, not a truck issue.
Second most common issue I see are magnet wire connections at the backing plate and axle. Usually they are a crimped connector that allows moisture and corrosion causing a poor connection ending in the copper wire strands over heated and brittle making no connection. The last trailer I worked on had this issue on both front and rear axles on the driver's side resulting in the brake controller NOT recognizing a trailer being hooked up so it had no brakes. Magnets were fine. I stripped back wire insulation until I found good clean wire, reattached (soldered) and they all work fine since.

 

[Alaska Dan]

Thanks Guys. I've got some homework to do. Thanks for the tips.
Dan.