Not Recognizing Trailer
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 216
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From: Western PA
Not Recognizing Trailer
Could use a little help diagnosing my trailer hitch issue. First, I have 2016 Cayenne GTS, an 18' twin axel trailer, and use a Curt wireless brake controller, for hauling my SxS... approx a 1,600lb machine.
Twice in the past, the car has not recognized anything hooked up, and if I take the empty trailer a mile up the road, it'll suddenly send power to the trailer/ controller and all seems fine. I can shut the car off, come back 20 mins later and all works... I do get left turn, right turn and brake light fault warnings on the dash, but the brakes work, so I've not been overly fussy
Tonight, I couldn't get it to hook up and recognize the trailer at all... with controller or even trailer alone... I hooked up my PIWIS and under "Actual Values input signals", control unit supply voltage = 14.4V, but 'trailer power supply switched = Off
I interpret that to meaning that there's power going to the hitch control module, but it doesn't recognize anything hooked up in order to turn the hitch on and send signals.....
I cleared any faults, none came back...
Anyone know what's going on or something I can try....?
Twice in the past, the car has not recognized anything hooked up, and if I take the empty trailer a mile up the road, it'll suddenly send power to the trailer/ controller and all seems fine. I can shut the car off, come back 20 mins later and all works... I do get left turn, right turn and brake light fault warnings on the dash, but the brakes work, so I've not been overly fussy
Tonight, I couldn't get it to hook up and recognize the trailer at all... with controller or even trailer alone... I hooked up my PIWIS and under "Actual Values input signals", control unit supply voltage = 14.4V, but 'trailer power supply switched = Off
I interpret that to meaning that there's power going to the hitch control module, but it doesn't recognize anything hooked up in order to turn the hitch on and send signals.....
I cleared any faults, none came back...
Anyone know what's going on or something I can try....?
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From: New England, MA
@SonofaBish I'd start with reseating the three sockets on the trailer module. (right rear kick panel) Disconnect and reconnect. I'd do the same for the trailer connector, if you haven't unplugged it recently.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 216
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From: Western PA
@SonofaBish I'd start with reseating the three sockets on the trailer module. (right rear kick panel) Disconnect and reconnect. I'd do the same for the trailer connector, if you haven't unplugged it recently.
I checked those... made sure all the pins in the connectors were solid, and plugged back in.... no luck. 😡
Not sure what you mean by trailer connector?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 216
Likes: 46
From: Western PA
yes.. my issue was with the trailer itself... after lots of testing, i was seeing some goofy things with the PIWIS, but figured out it was because it was sending a signal, but not getting anything back. I had some wires on my trailer that were cracked and sometimes worked, other times didn't. Rewired whole trailer, got a proper brake controller, and all is good.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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yes.. my issue was with the trailer itself... after lots of testing, i was seeing some goofy things with the PIWIS, but figured out it was because it was sending a signal, but not getting anything back. I had some wires on my trailer that were cracked and sometimes worked, other times didn't. Rewired whole trailer, got a proper brake controller, and all is good.
I'm having a similar problem in the sense that the AHK module doesn't automatically switch on the trailer power supply when I connect the trailer brake or the pin tester. I dont know if it should automatically turn the trailer power supply switch on or if it should be turned on by default.
Do you have an idea on what the proper function should be?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Western PA
I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Thanks for the quick reply.
I'm having a similar problem in the sense that the AHK module doesn't automatically switch on the trailer power supply when I connect the trailer brake or the pin tester. I dont know if it should automatically turn the trailer power supply switch on or if it should be turned on by default.
Do you have an idea on what the proper function should be?
I'm having a similar problem in the sense that the AHK module doesn't automatically switch on the trailer power supply when I connect the trailer brake or the pin tester. I dont know if it should automatically turn the trailer power supply switch on or if it should be turned on by default.
Do you have an idea on what the proper function should be?
Though, if I'm honest, far easier than that would be to just find a trailer that you KNOW works with soemone else's truck and see what happens.
do you have a brake controller, either installed under the dash or one like the Curt Echo?
If you end up needing to buy a control module, I'll sell you one dirt cheap. I thought that was my issue and bought one for $300 and turned out that wasn't it. So I've got a good one sitting around collecting dust.
Last edited by SonofaBish; Apr 1, 2024 at 07:36 AM.
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3rd Gear
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I'm no expert, so take this with a grain of salt... but from what I could tell, a very small current is sent to each pin, and only when there's recognition of a trailer there, prob by return of closing a loop or something, does it turn on and send full power. I'd have to look through the piwis again to see if I can remember where I was when I could see that it had no recognition of a trailer....
Though, if I'm honest, far easier than that would be to just find a trailer that you KNOW works with soemone else's truck and see what happens.
do you have a brake controller, either installed under the dash or one like the Curt Echo?
If you end up needing to buy a control module, I'll sell you one dirt cheap. I thought that was my issue and bought one for $300 and turned out that wasn't it. So I've got a good one sitting around collecting dust.
Though, if I'm honest, far easier than that would be to just find a trailer that you KNOW works with soemone else's truck and see what happens.
do you have a brake controller, either installed under the dash or one like the Curt Echo?
If you end up needing to buy a control module, I'll sell you one dirt cheap. I thought that was my issue and bought one for $300 and turned out that wasn't it. So I've got a good one sitting around collecting dust.
I'm curious as of what the proper sequence of operation should be in the circuit.
What kind is the brake controller you have collecting dust?
I did try the tester on a friend's truck and it immediately recognize it as a trailer connected to the it so that tells me the tester is ok.
By the way, what kind of trailer are you towing?
What version of PIWIS do you have? Can you point me to a reliable source to get the PIWIS?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 216
Likes: 46
From: Western PA
I did try it with a Curt Echo and a 7 Pin tester but nothing seems to work. I don't have a trailer yet but planning to get me one.
I'm curious as of what the proper sequence of operation should be in the circuit.
What kind is the brake controller you have collecting dust?
I did try the tester on a friend's truck and it immediately recognize it as a trailer connected to the it so that tells me the tester is ok.
By the way, what kind of trailer are you towing?
What version of PIWIS do you have? Can you point me to a reliable source to get the PIWIS?
I'm curious as of what the proper sequence of operation should be in the circuit.
What kind is the brake controller you have collecting dust?
I did try the tester on a friend's truck and it immediately recognize it as a trailer connected to the it so that tells me the tester is ok.
By the way, what kind of trailer are you towing?
What version of PIWIS do you have? Can you point me to a reliable source to get the PIWIS?