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Brake controllers are essential for heavy-duty vehicles for a safe ride. It calculates and tells the pedal the power needed to stop the vehicle safely. But what to do when is the brake controller not working with pedal?

There can be several causes you must check for the EOH system, fuses for the controller, brakes engagement, and brake controller itself. If everything is fine, you may have a problem with the pedal. The pedal may be faulty because of the brake booster, vacuum pump, cracked hose, or sludge in the brake line.

You can better understand and solve the problem after knowing the exact problem. Stay here and learn how to sort out the possible cause and fix it accordingly.

You may also like: How long should brembo brake pads last?

Why is my brake pedal stuck?

Why is my brake pedal stuck

The brake pedal can get stuck due to various reasons. Here I have listed the four major potential causes for brake pedal stuck.

Bad Brake Booster:

Bad Brake Booster can be the culprit for the brake pedal stuck. If the booster is bad, it cannot maintain the required vacuum pressure, which may make the pedal stuck.

Failing of the Vacuum Pump:

Some vehicles come with several types of brake boosters. If your vehicle comes with an electrical or mechanical driven pump, the pump can be the culprit for the stuck brake pedal. A faulty or blocked pump can cause the pedal to get stuck.

Cracked Vacuum Hose:

The brake booster is connected to the engine through a vacuum hose. If cracked, it will fail to create the required pressure, which may make the pedal stuck.

Sludge in the Brake Line:

Building up the sludge in the brake lines can be the culprit for pedal stuck. Over time due to moisture and mixing with oil, sludge is created, which blocks the brake line. Pressure can not reach the required point and fails to perform a function.

Why is the brake controller not working?

brake controller not working with pedal

You may have a problem with the wires on the trailer brake magnets. Check for the magnets; each of the magnets should have two wires. The first is for power, while the other is for grounding. 

Check the power wire; it should connect appropriately with the brake controller and battery. 

Then check the ground wire. It should be connected to a clean metal surface without paint or corrosion.

How to troubleshoot brake controller not working with pedal?

troubleshoot brake controller not working with pedal

Has your brake controller not working with pedal? Here are four major causes which make your brake controller unable to work with the pedal.

  • EOH Failure
  • Checked Fused is not registered
  • Brakes failing to engage
  • The brake controller declined to work

Problem 1: EOH Failure

EOH trailer brake operation failure can be the culprit for the controller not working with the pedal. The ford factory trailer brake controller is unable to function with eoh brakes.  

There is usually a second operation sitting available for the eoh trailer brake. So you need to use this basic operation. Otherwise, you will be unable to solve the problem.

Solution 1:

You need to replace the integrated brake controller with a new one compatible with your model. Suppose you have a 2013 ford f-150, eoh it will not work with the 2012 or earlier models of FORD. 

Problem 2: Checked Fuse is not registered

If the fuse is not verified, it can be the culprit for the brake controller not working with the pedal. You can only access the function once the fuses are connected to the controller. So to fix the issue, you must check the controller fuses and verify fuses are correctly connected.

Solution 2:

You will need a circuit tester to verify the fuses connected to the brake controller. You must have a good-quality circuit tester to check and verify the fuses. I recommend Klein Tool non-contact circuit tester. It will perform efficiently and is simple to use.

  • Test both wires coming and going from the brake controller by connecting them with the tester
  • Check all the wires one by one; most vehicle fuses are four. So you should check the four wires.
  • Check the tester value and verify whether the voltage is coming or not.

Problem 3: Brakes Failing to engage

If the brakes fail to engage, the brake controller will not work with the pedal. So you must check and ensure the brakes are engaged correctly.

Solution 3:

You have to check for the pads for wear. If there is excessive wear, you need a replacement for the brakes.

  • Most vehicles have seven-pin connections to the brakes; all should attach them for proper functioning.
  • Check for all seven connections and find the worn or detached connection.
  • If possible, repair; otherwise, replace.

Problem 4: Brake controller declined to work

You may have a problem with the brake controller. A faulty brake controller will fail to perform its function correctly. 

So if you have checked for all other causes, you must check the brake controller. It may be faulty, which makes you unable to engage with the pedal.

Solution 4:

Take the circuit tester and verify the functioning of the brake controller. Check out the red wire that exists on the rear of the controller. 

If you press the brake controller and the tester light switches on, the controller is working fine; otherwise, you have a problem with the brake controller.

You will need to replace the brake controller.  I recommend Tekonsha 8507120 Brakeman IV brake controller. You will find it compatible with all Ford and many other trucks.

  • Disconnect the battery’s negative wire from the terminal
  • Identify the point where the controller is mounted
  • Unscrew the old bracket controller
  • Remove the bracket controller and install the new bracket controller
  • Finally, plug in the bracket controller to the wires

How do I reset my brake controller?

Resetting the brake controller is pretty simple. You do not need to perform any long process. You need to detach the connector behind the brake controller for a few seconds. Five seconds are enough; reattach the connector to access the functions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Why is the brake controller not working with the pedal f150?

If you notice the brake controller needs to be fixed with the pedal f150, check its functioning. Whether it is working manually or not. If it is working, manually check its wires; it usually happens when the wire needs to be connected correctly to the brake controller.

Why is my brake pedal not going down?

There are many reasons for the brake pedal not going down, but some of the possible causes can be:

01. Wrong brake fluid
02. Overheating braking system
03. Damaged or broken parts such as rotors, pistons, calipers, and brake pads
04. Broken parking brake
05. Defective ABS component

How to quickly fix the stick brake pedal?

First, open the bleed valve, and lose it just a half turn. 
Ask your partner to keep it pressed.
Wait until the flow of the fluid turns slow, then close the valve
Then ask your partner to pump the brake pedal and repeat the process until the fluid is clear and there are no bubbles.

How to Setup the brake controller?

01. Plug the trailer wiring harness into the battery
02. Then allow the brake controller to calibrate
03. Go to settings and make personal settings as required
04. Check and set up the maximum output level
05. Now adjust the sensitivity level
06. Finally, activates the brakes as needed manually

Where is the brake controller fuse located?

The brake controller fuse is located in the engineering compartment inside the fuse box. For the brake controller, a 30 amp fuse is used.

Conclusion:

Brake controller working is essential for smooth driving and safe vehicle landing. It calculates the correct power level and ensures the safe stop of the trucks. But if it works properly with the pedal. Check for possible problems, and after identifying the causes, fix them. It may take 30 to 50 minutes to check and resolve the problem.

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