Quote:
Originally Posted by fun2bethad
Hey all,
I have a 1965 Caravel and the brakes aren't working at all. Here's what I know:
1. The breakaway switch had something dropped on it a year or so ago and had a hole in the top of it. I replaced it this fall but it didn't fix the problem. When I opened it up, it was rusted and definitely shot.
2. The brake controller in the tow vehicle indicates that the brake is being applied as the numbers go up when I apply the brake. It's pretty obvious the brake is not engaging though.
What is the best place for me to start? Any ideas? Thanks for any feedback you can offer!
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Electrical problems are notoriously difficult to diagnose over the Internet so I don't give step-by-step suggestions any more.
There are a few things you can try however.
First of all, you should pull the drums and inspect the brakes and bearings. That's periodic maintenance that should be performed regularly, and it may provide some answers. For example, the mechanism may be corroded to the point where it just has to be replaced.
Beyond that, using a test light while someone applies the brakes at the controller will help identify any wiring problems. The most common points of failure are at the tow vehicle connector and at the connection between the chassis wiring and brake magnet.