Forum Discussion

CVD's avatar
CVD
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014

Brake Buddy – Test Button No Longer Works

I’ve had a Brake Buddy since 2005 (no problems until now). The test button no longer causes the arm to extend, nothing happens when I push it. All other functions work like they always have (i.e. the compressor runs when it is plugged it, and stops once it’s full). But, I can't complete the normal start up procedure, where you push the test button 4 - 5 times when hooking it up. Per the remote sensor light, the unit does activate when under hard braking (like it should).

I’ll call customer service tomorrow, hopefully it’s fixable. Anyone else had this problem?
  • tyoungs's avatar
    tyoungs
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2014
    I had the same problem with mine until I added a dedicated 12V line direct from battery to a socket just for the Brake Buddy - may have something to do with how much draw there is when unit is "airing up" - once it gets to pressure, then the button seems to work OK, sometimes I still need to wiggle it a bit when depressing the button, like it's not making good contact. New HD 12V receptacle really helped a lot.
  • CVD's avatar
    CVD
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2014
    I called Brake Buddy and was told the same thing as Raloma ($300- to fix it). I then took it for a drive in another car (plugged in and sitting in the passenger seat). It did activate when I braked. So, the only thing wrong is the test button. I can push the toad brake peddle by hand a couple times to pressurize the system – no need for the test button.

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    Cliff
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2014
    isn't all that button is doing is powering it to activate it which is exactly what your break away switch is doing? why not just tap into those two wires going to the BA switch and put a button there?
    bumpy
  • Raloma's avatar
    Raloma
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2014
    Cliff
    I have the exact same problem with my Brake Buddy. I called them and they will fix the circuit board for $300.00 or sell me a new Brake Buddy for $650.00. I told him that I have just been pushing the brake peddle 5 or 6 times to get rid of the vacuum, and it is working fine. He told me that is the right thing to do if I don't want to spend the money to fix it. So for now I'll just push the brake peddle.
  • tandkj's avatar
    tandkj
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2014
    You can send them back to the manufacture and they will rebuild them. Did mine for $65 which was the cost of the parts. No shipping fee involved.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2014
    no such issues with mine but i would "guess" that it is just no electrical contact with the switch/button. if you have the breakaway switch hooked up, couldn't you just pull that to activate?
    bumpy

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