Alko - brake system

[Oceanic Dave]

Hi guys,

I got some water in the trailer connector that controls the brakes and trailer lights.

The brakes have locked up. I had to release the air manually from the alko unit.

I've managed to get home but need to get this fixed. The alko controller in the car keeps beeping. Do i need to reset it somehow?

The brakes work. They lock on just don't release.

I removed the plug. Fitted it again. Starts beeping like normal to pump air but even when the tank is full, it keeps beeping.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

[Spaniard_King]

pull the covers off both plugs. there is only 4 wires both sides make sure they are still connected in their respective positions. don't be scared its an easy job

oh yeh there is 2 sides to the plug.. the brake side only has 4 wires the lights have 5

[Oceanic Dave]

I've wired these before. I have just pulled them all apart. Car and trailer. Cleaned them, washed them etc. now just going to wait for them to dry and hopefully when i connect them all up it will be ok!

[rosco1974]

did it on my cat trailer once... once they dried out the problem was gone,only took a day to dry out

[Oceanic Dave]

Hope that is the only issue. Lets hope it drys out and works!

[Ocean_Spirit]

Oceanic - how did you go? Interestingly, I had to replace the original AL-KO SensaBrake actuator (MY2004 - bronze edition) back in late 2013. Had a good near 10 year run out of it. It had locked up on me and the bronze units were close to impossible to repair. Some advancements were later made in 2005 (black cased units which I suspect you have on your Tinka). Around this time (or later) AL-KO acquired the technology and made some critical changes (improving reliability and noticable manufacturing quality changes).

When changing out the old unit, I decided to stick with the SensaBrakes as we had the car controller in 2 cars). I have now had the LT-1000 for 2 years (grey cased unit). A big improvement again (and noticeable difference after also changing pads, servicing calipers/ discs, rewiring, etc.). The only original part that stayed put was the bronze brake lines which haven't corroded yet to a point where they cause any concern but will need to change these over for the rubber flexi lines in the future. I recently had another Tinka brake system refitted with the new extreme actuator, which is not drastically different but has better capacity.

Long story short - heading home from the annual holiday today in heavy rain, and I felt the brakes tighten up about 200km into the trip. Pulled into the roadhouse and found 4 hot wheels / discs. Seems like these systems are very sensitive to water as this is the second time it has happened to me. Dried out the plug, and gave both car and trailer connections with a hit of INOX. Tested all brake calipers and they were doing their job. This got me home the next 200km. Not satisfied with a temp solution though - particularly if you are climbing a hill or overtaking when your brakes kick in voluntarily (downright dangerous).

Will be having it all checked out again shortly by the local expert, but interested in anyone else's experience.

[tenzing]

HI OS
Dont know if it is the right thing to do or not, but last time I rewired the plugs, about 6 yrs ago, I filled the new plugs with silicone after connecting it all up and screwd the covers closed with a bit of excess oozing out.
All has been fine ever since
occasionally just need to give the brass terminals a little squirt.
PS after a bit of a think over xmas have decided not to muck around retrofittingg ANY parts , and will give them a call this week to just get the whole thing new.
Cheers
Brendan

[Oceanic Dave]

Hey guys,

I am 3 hours south of sydney and it's torrential rain atm so was worried about getting back home.

Anyway that day after fishing i pulled both plugs apart. Car and trailer. Sprayed wd40 - it's all i had, cleaned the terminals and let them dry. Next day when completely dried i put them back togethet and ran a quick test. At first the air compressor didn't work but soon as i rolled the car forward and hit the brakes it began to fill with air again. I went for a quick test around the block and everything is good again - few!