Weak Braking w/ Tekonsha P3
I have been using my Tekonsha P3 brake controller for about five years with two different trailers without problems until this spring when I noticed weak braking. Braking was fine last fall, so the co...
Forum Discussion
A very common failure with electric brakes is the wires to the magnet go bad and/or break off partially or completely.
Brake parts moving and rubbing wires or corrosion or just plain wear can cause it. The wires are often stiff and don't like that.
You can also clean the inside of the hub- the large flat round area- to which the magnet attached when charged. The hub then turns forwards and causes the brake lever to move, activating the brakes inside the drum.
If the inside of the drums are rusty, crusty, greasy, etc, the magnets can slip, resulting in the brakes not activating properly.
Also check to make sure the lining hasn't come partially or fully off the metal part of the brake pad. When trailer brakes sit for a while (ie over winter), they and the rivets or glue (yes, some don't use rivets only crappy glue :S ) can deteriorate.
Another thing.
MAKE SURE you used the proper wiring for your connector. I've seen two DIFFERENT diagrams!
You could also have a bad breakaway switch or battery connection to the switch, which can do strange things to your braking.
Tip: Using a 12v battery and a couple pieces of wire with the ends bare can be used to test your trailer wiring directly, using your trailer's connector, sans vehicle and controller.
It's already been mentioned to check your brake adjustments. The adjusters tend to rust on both manual and auto adjusting setups.
Hope this helps.
Brake parts moving and rubbing wires or corrosion or just plain wear can cause it. The wires are often stiff and don't like that.
You can also clean the inside of the hub- the large flat round area- to which the magnet attached when charged. The hub then turns forwards and causes the brake lever to move, activating the brakes inside the drum.
If the inside of the drums are rusty, crusty, greasy, etc, the magnets can slip, resulting in the brakes not activating properly.
Also check to make sure the lining hasn't come partially or fully off the metal part of the brake pad. When trailer brakes sit for a while (ie over winter), they and the rivets or glue (yes, some don't use rivets only crappy glue :S ) can deteriorate.
Another thing.
MAKE SURE you used the proper wiring for your connector. I've seen two DIFFERENT diagrams!
You could also have a bad breakaway switch or battery connection to the switch, which can do strange things to your braking.
Tip: Using a 12v battery and a couple pieces of wire with the ends bare can be used to test your trailer wiring directly, using your trailer's connector, sans vehicle and controller.
It's already been mentioned to check your brake adjustments. The adjusters tend to rust on both manual and auto adjusting setups.
Hope this helps.
