Forum Discussion

azbohunter's avatar
azbohunter
Explorer
May 22, 2021

intermittent brakes

I am having the intermittent brake problem. I have done some diagnostics as recommended in other posts. I pulled the emergency connection and all four wheel rolled, I checked for power at wires coming out of that connector and had power, crawled under trailer on drivers side and checked for power at front axle, good. Checked rear axle and it was no go, wiggled some wires, pulled on wire going through axle etc, checked power and at rear axle drivers side again and it was there. Went back to truck, plugged emergency connector back in, checked dash brake with manual slide controller and it went up to 10, pulled the emergencey plug and all four wheel slide? So I have determined that the problem is wiring and not magnets or in the hub..but don't know where to go from here?
  • Roger10378's avatar
    Roger10378
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2021
    The easiest way is to run new wire from the known good point to all the brakes. Just make sure you use large enough wire.
  • JRscooby's avatar
    JRscooby
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2021
    Disconnect from TV, and wire between battery (+) and breakaway switch. Using jumper wire, put a light in that wire, so it grounds thru brakes. Watch light while you shake wires. When it flickers/or goes out the bad connection is in your hand
  • azbohunter's avatar
    azbohunter
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    Thanks to you both, sound advise. I will try the light bulb thing and see where that goes but seeing how my rig is pushing 20 years, I might just start at main wires and run new through axles and hopefully be covered.
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    Replace all the splices, wiring never fails in the middle, always at the connections.
  • azbohunter's avatar
    azbohunter
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    Mike134 wrote:
    Replace all the splices, wiring never fails in the middle, always at the connections.

    I have checked everything visible and I can't see anything that looks like it would be a problem. I have heard of insulation wearing off inside the axles over time. It might not be my problem but I think that I will pull new wires thru and then I will know.
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    azbohunter wrote:
    Mike134 wrote:
    Replace all the splices, wiring never fails in the middle, always at the connections.

    I have checked everything visible and I can't see anything that looks like it would be a problem. I have heard of insulation wearing off inside the axles over time. It might not be my problem but I think that I will pull new wires thru and then I will know.


    Replacing the wiring will give you peace of mind that the wires are are good and you'll need to replace all the connections for the new wires so in the end your problem will be fixed.

    safe travels.
  • Sjm9911's avatar
    Sjm9911
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    I had the same problem on mine, except it only happened when i was going down the road. After a week or so of looking for it i replaced the all the wiring. That worked. And was much easier then chasing the problem around. I was getting a low voltage signal intermittently when towing.
  • Roger10378's avatar
    Roger10378
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2021
    Don't try to feed new wire thru the axle. Just run it on the outside and use zip ties to hold it in place.
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    May 23, 2021
    Roger10378 wrote:
    Don't try to feed new wire thru the axle. Just run it on the outside and use zip ties to hold it in place.


    Piece of cake to go thru the axle, tie the new wires to the old and use the old wires to pull it thru.

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