Forum Discussion

krazymatt's avatar
krazymatt
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015

Intermittent 5er Brakes

Okay so I've been trying to chase down an intermittent 5er brake situation. I bought it a couple months ago and my 2014 Ram integrated brake system tells me they're off and on and frankly annoys the living******out of me. I'm sure the truck is okay because I've hauled my flat bed trailer with brakes literally 8000 miles in the last 3 months with absolutely ZERO issues with the integrated brakes. I've replaced the 7 pin umbilical cord on the 5er along with a 7 way junction box from Etrailer and that didn't do it. I've re done all of the visible splices where the wires are spliced near the backing plates with butt crimp connectors and that didn't do it. Where do I go from here? I'm thinking my next step should be replacing the wire that goes through the axle tube and running new wire to the junction box. Then if that's not it I can replace all the magnets. Any ideas?
  • krazymatt's avatar
    krazymatt
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    Helimech wrote:
    Is it both brakes or just one side?


    It is NEITHER. They're totally normally functioning or not functioning at all. ON or OFF
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 15, 2015
    I would try as you mentioned, to run jumper wires outside the axles. You could disconnect the ones going through, and tape new, outside, to the axle, just to test.

    The wires inside can short from rubbing, over a period of time. I had this happen on a previous FW. I had no braking at times, then all of a sudden, too much braking.

    Jerry
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jun 15, 2015
    MFL wrote:
    I would try as you mentioned, to run jumper wires outside the axles. You could disconnect the ones going through, and tape new, outside, to the axle, just to test.

    The wires inside can short from rubbing, over a period of time. I had this happen on a previous FW. I had no braking at times, then all of a sudden, too much braking.

    Jerry


    That, and also check the GROUND connection from the pigtail to frame ground. Also the ground connection to the magnets.
  • krazymatt's avatar
    krazymatt
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    I'm thinking I can just run new wire through the axles and be done with it instead of running temp jumper wires right? I'm thinking I can use the old wire to run it through. The trick is not getting the two wires crossed when you connect.
  • Vette_Racer's avatar
    Vette_Racer
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    I've had the same problem and it was caused by the wires going to the magnets inside the drums. They had rubbed through the insulation and were shorting out. I replaced all the magnets and rerouted the wires and added another layer of insulation to them.
  • DaYooper's avatar
    DaYooper
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    Like others have pointed out could be a simple short inside the brake drum. I had the same issue several years ago, once I found the rubbed wire in the drum and repaired everything was fine. If that's all it is it will be a quick fix once you go through the trouble of removing the wheels and hunting for it.
  • 8ntw8tn's avatar
    8ntw8tn
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2015
    X3 on DmaxWW and DaYooper. I finally found the issue on mine after trial and error checking grounds, connections, and replacing the wire running through the axle tube. It was a wire leading to the magnet on the right rear wheel. It's a PIA to troubleshoot and find, but the fix itself was pretty easy. Good luck and hope this helps.
  • krazymatt's avatar
    krazymatt
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2015
    I had planned on packing my bearings anyhow. How do I find out what seals and magnets I need? I guess by measuring the diameter of the drums? I seem to find 12" magnets and 10" magnets online.

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