Trailer breakaway system

[Jeff from Brisbane]

Hi,

I have become involved in a brake lights problem on a caravan with the breakaway systems, Have traced wires where they can be seen and have found a short in the brake light wire in the caravan wall. Tried a jumper wire from the wires where they last can be seen. Cut the red stop light wire there and again at the taillights & connected up a jumper wire.. All works fine then. So the short is in the wall somewhere, Can run a new wire inside the van which will fix the problem. But I seem to remember that some of those breakaway systems put on the caravan brake lights when they operate & as such would need to be connected to the brake light wiring, Its an "Engager".
Anyone know if they are connected to the brake light wiring or not, If they are the problem could be in the breakaway unit which I have not looked at yet. It does not mention any connection to the stop lights on its front cover only earth, blue (trailer brake) and constant 12V positive. I would like to leave this system alone if I can.

Any idea or suggestions appreciated,

All the best
Jeff

[BruceS]

Sounds like a job with a test light or multi-meter.
Is it a standard caravan build?
Make & model etc may get a more detailed answer.

[norman]

Welcome aboard Jeff from Brisbane. I wouldn,t have a clue, but someof the other folk on here are clued up on wireing..

[T1 Terry]

Welcome to the forum Jeff,
Are you sure the caravan has a breakaway brake system? Have you tried diconnecting the pin connected to the lanyard cable as seeing if the brakes apply and if the stop lights come on when they do? I'm thinking that you are going to need a wiring diagram from The van manufacturer, hopefully such a thing exists. If not, you will need to find the break away unit and look for the red brake light wire coming in and out, ( hopefully not just a branch wire T'ed into the main line) trace in each direction to find where the short is. A very labour intensive job. If it is a branch line then a replacement wire out to the bypass wire you have installed will sort the problem.

[Jeff from Brisbane]

Problem fixed.

We ruled out the "Engager" breakaway system as its not connected to the brake lights.

After talking to the caravan manufacturer we ascertained the approximate location of the cable and it turned out the owner had re-screwed some dinette cushions to the wall in that area. Checked the new longer screws and found one was making contact with brake light wire. Removed the screw and all is well although we used a spare core rather than the damaged one for the brake lights.

So all is well. Thanks to those who supplied such useful information.

All the best

Jeff