Trailer Brake Controller Switch Stuck???

[brandon]

took the truck in town and it was fine, then all of a sudden the brake light on the dash came on and i noticed the trailer brake switch was stuck and not releasing when i let off the brake pedal. the trailer brakes weren't being used, and i wasn't hauling anything. i don't haul anything that i need to use them with and if i do haul anything i use a different connection. I've never used this connection i'm guessing it is wired to. if you need any more info please let me know. any ideas on how to fix this?

[zieg85]

My guess is the controller shorted out.  It receives the signal from the brake light switch.  Hopefully nothing back fed to short and truck wires out.  If it where me I would cut the power wire to the controller and brake light switch and see what happens.  Good luck...

[Lt.Del]

are your brake lights on?  could be the brake light switch itself, since they run off brake light switch like mentioned earlier.

Try killing the power totally to controller, either via a fuse, or remove the pos. battery cable for a minute or two to try and reset the controller.

[bake74]

     You can also see if your controller has a adjustment screw on the back side of the controller.  Some models I have used have had adjustment's on them, otherwise like sgtdel said, disconnect power and see if it releases, if not you might have to replace controller.

[brandon]

i disconnected the black wires and nothing, i even disconnected the negative cable at the battery, still nothing. my brake lights do work, the "Brake" light on the dash stays on and the brakes work, but not as they should be, or did before. i've even put on the e-brake and released it several times. i don't understand why it would just do this, driving down the road, and if the problem is with the brakes themselves, or a switch/wiring. any other suggestions? sorry guys, i'm quite the novice.

[brandon]

I told you i was quite the novice, and we're always told to check the simple things first. You don't reckon one of the brake fluid reservoirs being bone dry would have anything to do with it huh? Filled it up, started her up, and before i could get her backed up, the light went out and the switch was working. i'll have to keep an eye on it, and check for leaks. thanks for your input though, i do appreciate it. now i can either hang a new mower deck belt or work on my 6 PBR's... hhmmm...

[jaredts]

If you have a chamber in the reservoir go dry, you don't want to drive it and keep an eye on it.  Its just not safe.  Believe me, I've made that mistake.  You've got a leak and they are usually easy to find.  If its the master cylinder there's usually a very slight sign of moisture under the master on the booster.  If its a wheel cylinder/caliper then there's usually a tire that has a wet spot on the inside (under the vehicle).  It could be a rubber line or rusted steel line.  Like I said I once made the mistake of saying, Oh it just lost a little bit of fluid in the last few days, I can fix it this weekend and then suddenly I had no brakes.  Master cylinders can let loose all at once when they have started to leak.

[Grim 82]

+1      Find that leak and fix it.

[Lt.Del]

I hope you bled the brakes.  Air is most certainly in the line now.

Did the fluid come out of the front resevoir, or the rear?  If the front was dry, those operate your front brakes.  Rear resevoir (smaller) operates the rear brakes.

I'm gonna guess you have front discs and rear drums.  Depending on front or rear, I'd definately look at the lines for moisture, and remove the two wheels to check for the leak.