Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

[Darol Wester]

I read in an article here from July where someone mentioned testing this critter electrically, but never said how. How would I go about this?

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

I tested mine by having someone operate the switch and listened for it to click and felt it click, which meant the solenoid was working. If yours is connected to the backup light you will need someone to shift in/out reverse. I hooked mine up to a toggle switch, lighted. That way if I plan to stop on a hill and back up I activate the reverse lock out while the brakes on the trailer are not being applied.

Then you can also try to back up a hill and see if the brakes apply.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

The lockout solenoid or is it a reversing solenoid that vents back to the master? One just blocks the brake line (not very reliable), the reversing vented one diverts brake pressure back to the master. The blocking one is harder to test and you'll probably need to rebleed the brakes to do this but the simple answer is to connect the solenoid wire to a 12V supply, a ground wire to the solenoid and unscrew the brake line from the rear of the lockout type solenoid. Pump the master via the breakaway lever. you shouldn't see fluid out the back of the solenoid. The reversing solenoid can be tested in a similar fashion by unscrewing the return line to the master but won't need rebleeding since you haven't opened the lines to the brakes. If it's functioning properly you'll get a squirt of fluid on the return side.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

Additional question: When you installed the disc brakes did you change the master out as well to a disc brake type? They are different slightly internally, the disc type has a pressure relief hole in the end of the piston.

 

[Darol Wester]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

OK. This thing is off the trailer, so I did the power test and I got nothing. No feel of something working or any sound either. I'm quessin this thing is gunnied? This is the reversing solenoid. Any tips on something better than Tie Down? This one is 4 years old. It does play in the Pacific now and then. Brookings normally Elk.

 

[Darol Wester]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

Additional question: When you installed the disc brakes did you change the master out as well to a disc brake type? They are different slightly internally, the disc type has a pressure relief hole in the end of the piston.

I do have the return style cylinder that's for disc brakes. But, I just went through it a while back and there wasn't a hole in the piston. Does the return make up for it?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

Like I said. Only somewhat more reilable. I haven't found one that wasn't Chinese in manufacture, I check mine on a regular basis. They don't make much of a click, but should be noticable. I can check mine with a standard 12v trickle charger. Probably gone bad.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

I do have the return style cylinder that's for disc brakes. But, I just went through it a while back and there wasn't a hole in the piston. Does the return make up for it?

I'ts about a 1/16"hole in the nylon washer at the end of the piston, not a hole in the piston itself. If it doesn't have one, drill one. But I don't think it would affect the bleeding process, it's there to relieve pressure on the calipers.

 

[Darol Wester]

Re: Testing a Tie Down reverse lock out???

I'ts about a 1/16"hole in the nylon washer at the end of the piston, not a hole in the piston itself. If it doesn't have one, drill one. But I don't think it would affect the bleeding process, it's there to relieve pressure on the calipers.

There was a white nylon washer at the end of the spring towards the piston that had a hole in the center of it.
Guess I'll get me a new Tie Down and hope that does the trick.

Thanks guys!!