I just bought a new camping trailer that I will tow with my 2010 MDX. I bought the MDX a few years ago and have used it to tow an older trailer very successfully. The new one, however, is equipped with electric trailer brakes, which require a controller. I've had some problems getting the controller to function properly when hooking it up to the MDX's brake controller connector. It appears that the controller is not supplying any voltage to power the controller. This is a picture of the diagram on page 490 of the Owner's Manual, on which I've written some notes.


Apparently the terminal labeled BRAKE (20A) (BLUE) should be a constant 12 volts from the battery. A multimeter connected between this wire and the ground wire reads 0 volts. The only voltage present is on the terminal labled STOP (LIGHT GREEN), and then only when the brake pedal is pushed. Obviously this must be the signal that causes the controller to activate the trailer brakes. Presumably the BRAKE (20A) (BLUE) wire will be protected with a 20 amp fuse or circuit breaker somewhere in the MDX's wiring harness. Anyone know where? My problems could just be a blown or missing fuse.

Any other ideas? Have I interpreted the diagram correctly?

Thanks,
Jon

 

Note on the diagram above the handwritten colors are the wires that are attached to the brake controller (A Curt Venturer). White - Ground, Blue - Brake. (goes to trailer connector), Red - Stoplight, and Black - Battery +.