Figure 6

-10-

The DSC operates the left and right side trailer brakes
independently in order to control trailer sway and therefore it is
very important that the correct DSC wires are connected to the
correct side brakes. The DSC purple wire must be connected to
the left side electric brakes with a 14 gauge (min.) wire. The DSC
pink wire must be connected to the right side electric brakes with
a 14 gauge (min.) wire. Failure to properly connect these wires will
prevent the DSC from controlling trailer sway.

Front

Br
e
Swak-A
itc w
h ay

Full Size +12V
Trailer Battery

Frame
Ground

Purple Wire
Left Side Brakes

-

+

Dexter
Sway Control

Pink Wire
Right Side Brakes

Left Front
Electric Brake

Right Front
Electric Brake

Left Rear
Electric Brake

Right Rear
Electric Brake

Rear

Figure 7
-11-

Dexter Sway Control Wiring

Left and Right Side Brake Wires

ite

Wh

Green

Black

Brown

Blue

Br
e
Swak-A
itc w
h ay

ue

Bl

Green

Full Size +12V
Trailer Battery

Running
Lights
Frame
Ground

= TRAILER LIGHTS
(wires not shown)
= FRAME GROUND
(wires not shown)

-

+ Battery

Trailer
Connector

Green

+

Running
Lights

Dexter
Sway Control
The DSC mounts on
the center line of the trailer, 5 to 10 feet
back from the trailer hitch ball on a
VERTICAL frame surface.

Green

Green

Pink

= BACK-UP LIGHTS
(not used)

Purple

White

= BREAKAWAY SWITCH

Dexter Sway Control Wiring

Wiring Diagram
Bumper Pull Trailer
Electric Drum Brakes
with Dexter Sway Control
Full Size +12V
Trailer Battery

ck
Bla

WHITE
Ground
10 gauge

YELLOW
Back-up
12 gauge

Bl
ue

RED
Left Turn - Stop
12 gauge

BROWN
Right Turn - Stop
12 gauge

BLUE
Trlr. Brake Sig.
12 gauge

Red

GREEN
Running Lights
12 gauge

White

BLACK
+12 Volts
10 gauge

Yellow

Wire Connections to Trailer Plug
and System Overview

Running
Lights

Running
Lights

White

Left Front
Electric Brake

Pink

Purple

Right Front
Electric Brake

Pink

White

Left Rear
Electric Brake

Pink

Purple

Right Rear
Electric Brake

Pink

Running
Lights

Running
Lights

Green

Green

Red

Green

Brown
Running
Lights

Left Turn Stop Light

Figure 8

-12-

Right Turn Stop Light

The DSC wire harness has five wires requiring electrical
connection and one wire for the status LED light. The function of
each of these wires is outlined in the table below:
DSC
Wires

Trailer Wire Function

Wire Gauge
Required

Purple Wire Left side electric brake
output (all left side
brakes)

14 Gage Minimum

Pink Wire

Right side electric brake
output (all right side
brakes)

14 Gage Minimum

White Wire

Trailer battery/frame
ground point

14 Gage Minimum

Blue Wire

Electric brake controller
signal from tow vehicle

14 Gage Minimum

Black Wire

12VDC from tow vehicle
trailer harness

14 Gage Minimum

Gray Wire

10' wire with a two pin
connector on the end that
plugs into the LED status
light

Included in kit

The 14 gauge wires of the DSC wiring harness are approximately
12" long to allow for flexibility when mounting the unit. Extensions
will be required to connect unit to the trailer’s electrical wiring.
When making connections to the trailer’s wiring harness, the
desired termination is a solder joint. If the connection is not
soldered, use the appropriate size and type of “crimp-type”
weather sealed heat-shrink connectors, using the manufacturer’s
recommended crimping tools in accordance with their crimping
instructions.
Once the 14 gauge wires are connected, route the Status Light
wire to a location on the front of the trailer and mount the Status
Light Module onto a flat surface using two (2) #6 self-tapping
screws. Select a location that makes it easy to see the Status
Light when looking at the front of the trailer.

-13-

Dexter Sway Control Wiring

DSC Wiring Harness

Taking shortcuts when connecting any wires on your trailer only
increases the likelihood that some part of your electrical system
will fail. Make sure your splice connections are durable and sealed
against exposure to water and corrosive elements. One loose wire
connection can disable your entire trailer brake system.
When adding extension wires to the DSC wiring harness, you
must use the correct gauge wire. These gauge sizes are outlined
in the table above.

!

CAUTION

Dexter Sway Control Wiring

Failure to use the correct gauge wire may result in
poor braking performance or brake failure. Improper
wire gauge may also result in significant damage to
your trailer or its components, cause a fire, which
may result in serious or fatal injury and/or property
damage. Undersized wire will prevent electrical circuit
protection devices such as fuses or circuit breakers
from functioning properly. Undersized wire may melt or
burn before these safety devices can be activated.

-14-

Testing the DSC for Correct Wiring

CAUTION
Before proceeding with the following test procedure,
it is important to have the DSC unit powered on with
a green status light. Failure to power the DSC before
proceeding may result in a permanent failure or
malfunction of the unit.
In order to verify that the DSC is wired correctly, follow the test
process listed below:
1. Ensure that the trailer battery is fully charged or that a
charging device is connected to the trailer.
2. Connect the +12V to the black wire on the DSC and ground
the white wire from the DSC.
3. Connect a brake controller to the brake signal (blue) wire of
the trailer harness.
4. Turn on the brake controller and apply the manual override
until the DSC status light comes on.
5. Verify that the light is GREEN and that it is “flickering”. This
indicates no faults with the DSC. If the light is not GREEN,
refer to the troubleshooting section to correct the detected
fault(s).
6 Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 on the following page to
verify correct wiring on the left and right sides of the trailer.
After the trailer passes the left side test, reconnect the left
side brake as normal before repeating for the right side test.
Note: It is very important for the wire test connection to
be made back near the left and right side trailer brakes.
Do not perform this test up front near the DSC since
that will not verify correct wiring back at the brakes.
7. If the DSC status light does not flash the correct number of
times as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, make the necessary
wiring changes so that the flashes match the correct side.

-15-

Functional Test Procedure

Functional Test Procedure

Functional Test Procedure

8. After the trailer passes the test as shown in Figures 1 and
2 and the brakes are reconnected as normal, verify that the
GREEN flickering light is displayed. If it is not, refer to the
troubleshooting section to correct the detected fault(s).

-16-

4 RED
Flashes

S t atu s
L i g ht
Cable

Purple

DSC

St a t us
Ligh t
Mo dule
St a t us
Ligh t
Ca ble

DSC

LE FT Si de
B r ake Wi re s

RIG HT Side
Bra k e Wires

PUR PLE - Bra k e
Co n t ro l

PINK - Bra k e
Co n tr o l

WHITE - Gro un d

WHIT E - G ro un d

Tempor arily
connect t h e
Pu r pl e an d
Whi te wire
at O N E b ra k e
l ocati on a n d
v er i fy the
statu s LED
fl ashes RED
3 t im es

T em po rar ily
co n n ect th e
Pin k a nd
Wh it e wire
a t ONE br a ke
lo ca t io n a n d
verif y t he
s t a t us L ED
f la s h es R ED
4 time s

Figure 1

Figure 2

-17-

Pink

Statu s
Li g ht
M odu l e

Functional Test Procedure

3 RED
Flashes

The DSC Status Light Module
The DSC performs a self-diagnostic test every time it “wakes up”
by receiving a signal from a brake controller in the tow vehicle.
The light will flash RED and GREEN approximately six times on
startup and then go to GREEN. The DSC also continually monitors
system parameters during operation. If the system is operating
properly and no faults are detected, the GREEN light will remain
ON and flicker or pulse. If a problem is detected, a RED light will
flash a specific number of times to indicate the specific problem.
The following Status Light and Troubleshooting table contains the
meaning of the different RED and GREEN light flashes along with
troubleshooting suggestions to correct the problem(s).

Functional Test Procedure

The DSC continues checking the fault status and keeps the RED
light flashing until the fault is corrected. Once corrected, the
GREEN light returns. Note that when the trailer is not moving,
every 60 seconds the GREEN light will turn off for three seconds
and back on. This is normal and indicates proper operation of
the DSC. If the GREEN light is not turning off and on every 60
seconds while the trailer is not moving, have the DSC checked by
your local service center.

-18-

Mount the Status Light Module in a location on the front of the
trailer where the light is easily seen.
Light Action

Condition

Corrective Action

Solid GREEN
pulsing

Normal operation –
no system faults

No action – system ok.

1 GREEN flash

Module reset to
manufacturers
default values. Keep
trailer sitting still
for minimum 30
seconds, then drive
normally.