Brake Buddy

[ROYBUCK]

I had problems with my Brake Buddy, I posted on 4/8/14 if any one is interested in reading. When I got back home I called Brake Buddy they had no idea of what happened, said if I would send it in they would look at it, need to send Brake away and all accessory. They have a new Brake Buddy Vantage Select at $1499.00 I think a little high they said they would take my old Brake Buddy and $650.00 for the new one. I don't think I want to use mine even if they overhaul it, it is about 12 years old. does any one have any experience with the Vantage Select. Thanks Roy

P.S If the Brake away is activated will it release by it self or do you need to push it back in

[ROYBUCK]

I had always in the past pumped the brake two or 3 times but don't remember if I did this time or not, I had stopped at a rest area about 1 hr before this happened, I will check tomorrow where the break a way wire comes through the fire wall to see if the wire is fractured. I would like to thank every one for your replies, they have been very helpful.

Roy

[John_Joey]

ROYBUCK wrote:
I have hooked it up on the passenger side and drove around at different times, it works like it is supposed to, but that still does not explain why it locked the brakes up on the toad for no reason, since no brakes was applied inside the MH> Roy

What I'm saying is to hook it up and then pull apart the break away and see what happens (just like if the car broke away from the MH.) Doing the above is what I said in a prior thread of yours which seems now to prove it's not the unit itself (thus the rebuild will be for not since it appears to be working correctly.)

What you're testing now is the break away feature outside of your car. If when that safety device is activated it pushes down on the brake and holds it there, then that is a possible cause of your problem. It may have activated. The wires may have worn somewhere and are shorting to ground making the unit think it has a run-a-way toad.

Also remember when you use the brake buddy you need to pump the brakes a few times with the engine off before using the unit to dump brake pressure. Did you do that prior to when you had the issue?

[JohnnyT]

Moved from Class A forum

[imgoin4it]

I also suspect the break away feature. A friend had a problem with it unexpectedly activating and a cousin had it happen to him twice. All those were about 8 to 19 years ago and Brake Buddy confirmed the problem was some kind of short in the break away feature and FIXED it at that time. All the of us bought them at the same time and that is when I stopped using mine. Brake Buddy was owned by a different at that time.

[jhilley]

I would most suspect the break away function. Cdonnector either on pin end or Brake Buddy end.

[ROYBUCK]

I have hooked it up on the passenger side and drove around at different times, it works like it is supposed to, but that still does not explain why it locked the brakes up on the toad for no reason, since no brakes was applied inside the MH> Roy

[John_Joey]

ROYBUCK wrote:
...snip...P.S If the Brake away is activated will it release by it self or do you need to push it back in

Why don't you hook it all up and test it out? No need to be rolling to test that function. If nothing else you will see what logic the brake buddy uses when that occurs. I'm guessing the foot will extend and stay extended with the compressor kicking on when needed.

[The_Texan]

My BB is the original square metal box bought new in 1996 and has been refurbished by the company once, for free. I trust it explicitly, even after they refurbished it and still use it in my truck. There is NO way I would use their "newer" models, as they have had nothing but grief with every model except the BB Classic. Also, you can buy the Advantage Select on ebay for $899 or less, all day long and sell yours for whatever you can get for it, after they refurbish it.