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Old 11-15-2021, 12:26 AM   #1
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Brakes Engaged Request Troubleshoot

Hi, I'm green at this and just joined the forum. I have a 2002 Sierra Lite travel trailer which we bought used and my partner and I drove it for a week before the brakes engaged. What should we look for to troubleshoot this problem? We just had a seven-pin electronic system installed in our van to connect to the trailer. We noticed two things. 1. The brake controller emergency brake button in our vehicle got lodged / wedged (not sure of the proper name for this button) and I managed to release it but the brakes are still engaged. 2. Our trailer batteries have had issues with holding a charge so we will replace them tomorrow. Firstly (because I've been asked by a friend who wants to help) Is it an electronic braking system in the 2002 Sierra Lite? Secondly, what is the best way to troubleshoot this issue, if there is one? My partner and I are living in our trailer and we're in a bad place financially, trying to fix this issue on our own so any information or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Old 11-15-2021, 12:36 AM   #2
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There should be an emergency breakaway cable that is connected to a switch box on the tongue of the trailer. If that breakaway cable is pulled out of the switch box (or is missing completely), the brakes get emergency power drawn from the battery and will lock up. That will explain both battery being drained and the brakes locked up.

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You can check your 7-pin connector using a voltmeter. With no brakes applied by the controller, and with the breakaway cable pin inserted in the switch box, you should have 0 volts between the brake pin and the ground pin on the 7-pin connector. If you have 12-volts between the two on the trailer side when it is disconnected (assuming a charged battery), then your emergency breakaway switch is activated.

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Old 11-15-2021, 08:56 AM   #3
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Welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. X2 with the break away switch and using a multimeter to check things good luck let the forum know what you find.
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