What should the Sensabrake IQ7 extreme do on start up.
Before you connect the trailer plug to the tow vehicle make sure the vehicles ignition is off. This is because the Alko sensabrake in car controller will only look for a plugged in actuator when the ignition is first turned on.
On start up the in car kit will beep for approximately 30 seconds. This is a warning that the compressors pressure is less than 50%. If the same beeping is heard while driving there is a lack of air pressure and you will not have fully functional brakes.
After 30 seconds the beeping should stop. If it continues there may be a fault. Either an air leak of a faulty compressor.
The compressor should continue for another 90 seconds or so. It will stop when it reaches full pressure or it has reached thermal shut down ( fault).
Give the trailer cable/plug a bit of a shake. If you hear clicks and hisses from the actuator unit this indicates a poor connection in the trailer plug. It may need the pins spreading, cleaning or even replacing. A poor connection in the 12 pin plug/socket can cause the trailer brakes to unintentionally activate while driving. If this continues to be an issue we recommend using 2x 50 amp Anderson connectors for the sensabrake wiring to the tow vehicle, especially if you do a lot of beach launching,
Once the compressor has stopped you can test the system by giving a moderate amount of pressure on the brake pedal. The actuator should click and hiss but the compressor should not start up. You should get at least 4 brake activations before the compressor starts up again. Any less and this indicated poorly bleed brakes.
If the brakes need bleeding, then this should be done with a vacuum tool and suck the fluid from the calliper. Alternatively you can get an ALKO tool that allows you to pump fluid in under a small amount of pressure from the reservoir end.
Under no circumstances should you use the actuator to bleed the brakes!
| Beeping from in car unit continues for more than 30 seconds after start up. | Compressor faulty or the unit is not holding air | Service required |
| Beeping from in car unit while driving,
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Poorly bleed brakes, faulty compressor or unit not holding air, Wiring fault ( brown wire disconnected) | Service required |
| Compressor runs for more than 2 minutes in start up | Faulty compressor, unit not holding air. | Service required |
| Compressor starts up too often. | Poorly bleed brakes | Bleed brakes using vacuum tool |
| Actuator will not turn on | Low battery supply voltage, faulty in car kit, bad wiring | Check wiring at trailer plug |
| Brakes unintentionally come on while driving | Poor power supply to actuator, | Check trailer plug/socket. Water/corrosion in plug/socket due to salt water. |