Hi Guys. As a newbie on the block I am looking for some advice from all you weathered travellers.
I own a Hyundai Teracan which tows my rig really well. However the brakes on my van constanly lock-up when applied.
I originally had a Tekonsha Voyager installed by the auto electrician. After repeated adjustments to try and stop the locking-up I purchased a Hayman Reece 100% solid state controller (on the advice of my van service technician Pall Tall). However the problem persists. The brakes on the van have been checked out and are OK and I have even had a mate tow my van with not problems at all - no locking-up. So it seems the problem is in my towing vehicle. In addition, using the slider on the controller does not lock-up the brakes but does not seem to have an further effective beyond the half-way mark. In other words the brakes come on and progressively increase as I move the slider until it reaches about half-way, then there is no fufther effect.
Does anybody have any suggestions, tips etc that may help me solve the problem. If I can get it fixed it will save many pedestrians getting the fright of their lives when I approach the traffic lights and apply my brakes - screech, howl, shudder
Happy tripping and thanks for your time (and hopefully problem solving tips) Pommyroy
I agree, it just needs resetting. I use the slider a bit going down a long steep hill, like a hand brake just to give the brakes a rest on my tow vehicle.
1/ Some times the plate has been welded onto the axle with up to 2mm offset to the cenre of the axle , thus only one shoe does the majority of the braking and can cause lock up.
2/The brakes can be adjusted too tightly. The drums for good safe braking vthe drums do not need to maintain contact with the brake shoes. my advice would be to adjust them up until the wheels are difficult to turn and then back off the adjuster at least 10 clicks.
3/Check that the lever which applies the brakes , when the magnet is energised is of the same length as the other ones. Ihave found that all leavers are not of equal length and will cause early lock- up and if leaver is not sufficiant length it willul the internal mechanisam and will not release properly. Had this problem when i brought the van befoe this one.
Hope you get it sorted out soon .
Regards Herbie.
-- Edited by herbie on Monday 22nd of April 2013 12:46:17 AM
If the problem is there with two different controller it sounds like your stop light switch is dickey. Try adjusting it so you have to press the brake pedal a little more before the brake light comes on.
ozjohn wrote:
Ditch the outdated Solid State HR Sentinal or 5300 and replace it a HR Guardian IQ or a Tekonsha Primus IQ, Prodigy P2 or P3.
Or even put the Voyager back in.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
If the brakes on the van work ok behind another car, check the brake light wire & the brake wire are not crossed at the car plug. If this is the case you will have lock up with a slight touch of the brake pedal, regardless of controller settings.
If you have a Pajero 2013 like i have there is no suitable place to mount any unit horizontally so you have to get the hayman reece unit that can be mounted at any angle and does not have the pendulam to put more brake bias on as you brake,. they are either on or off. Fortunately the Pajero can tow up to 3 tonne with out stabilzers and has fantastic ABS brakes with four spot dual piston calipers, cheers, Michael
Just want to say thanks to everyone for their possible solutions. I have taken the van for another trip around the area pririo to putting it to bed for a couple of months and have completely reset it. Seems to be improved somewhat although still get a slight lock - from time to time!!!!. Still a bit of a mystery though and not what it was when towed by Aussietravellers's vehicle. Will have a look at some of the later tips from Ozejohn, Herbie and Pete.
