If your truck displays a service trailer brake system warning message on its
dashboard, it must not be driven until this issue has been addressed by a
professional. Such an alert indicates an electrical wiring error within its brake
controller or module which prevents electricity from reaching the brakes.
Brake Shoes
Your RAM truck is packed with smart systems designed to make life easier, such as
the trailer brake controller. This system enables the brakes of your trailer to respond
when and how hard they should press, as well as helping customize its sensitivity to
match that of your vehicle.
Your ITBC communicates with the computer in your truck to reduce the force
necessary to apply brakes, making for smoother braking action and reduced force
needed to apply them. Depending on your preference and load size, this system can
either be proportional or time-delay.
If your truck displays a service trailer brake system message, this means its
International Trailer Brake Controller (ITBC) has disconnected from its power source
and needs reconnecting to work again. Luckily, this problem can easily be remedied
at home using just a few simple steps. First remove the wheel, use a flathead
screwdriver or “star wheel” adjuster to loosen its control nut (this tightens snugness
between brake and wheel) then tighten with an allen key or other suitable tool the
control nut before tightening with allen key until tightness between these
components has returned and tightness tightness between them both will.
Drums
Trailer brake systems feature drums made of cast iron or steel, lined with
automotive-grade friction material for efficient use. When activated, electromagnetic
elements inside of each wheel press against this drum and produce sufficient friction
to stop its movement – providing enough frictional force to stop its forward progress.
Although trailer brake systems are generally safe and straightforward to use, there
may still be potential complications that could cause issues with them. If any issue
arises with your trailer brakes – including delays when stopping, sinking pedals,
squeaky or unresponsive brakes or failure of stopping – then action must be taken
right away to address them. Common symptoms could include delay stopping,
sinking pedals or nonresponsiveness from your trailer brakes.
Resetting your service trailer brake system ram 1500 isn’t complicated, but a few
tools will come in handy before beginning the process. These include a flathead
screwdriver, rock or wood piece and strong hammer. Once assembled, locate the
adjustment nut located at the backside of your trailer brakes secured with a locknut,
loosen it by using your flathead screwdriver before using an Allen key or flathead
screwdriver to loosen it with.
Electromagnetic Elements
Ram pickup trucks are equipped to haul anything from work trailers and
campervans, to horses, horses trailers and boats to lakes with ease. Their powerful
towing system includes a trailer brake controller to avoid unintentionally activating
trailer brakes when towing.
Problems with trailer brakes typically stem from either improper threshold voltage
levels or short circuits, both of which can be detected by measuring system
amperage using a voltmeter connected to any two magnet lead wires of one of the
brakes; reading should begin at zero and increase as you activate your controller bar.
Poor standards in trailer brake wiring often result in short circuits detected by the
CCM as DTCs, easily remedied by pouring WD-40 onto connector pins inside plugs to
dislodge any dirt that has collected over time.
Wiring
A trailer brake system is an essential element of your truck, providing drivers with a
smooth driving experience when towing loads. However, like other components in
your vehicle, its performance may be affected by various external influences like
corrosion, seizure seizure binding and wire deterioration – to address this problem
you need to identify any damaged components immediately and fix them as soon as possible.
First, locate and loosen the adjustment nut on your trailer brake – typically found
near to its axle. With your flathead screwdriver in hand, loosen this lock nut and
move on to step two of this process.
Step Two of Repair is to locate and change out the fuse that powers your trailer
brakes, typically found within a Power Distribution Center or Box. Fuse should be
labeled RT/LT for identification purposes, then replaced as soon as possible with new one.