frozen brakes?

It could just be something simple, and by asking his question here he might get an answer to help him solve his dilemma, and not need to spend money on a mechanic.

OP, I have had the ABS valves go bad on a trailer before, and loose all braking.

 

When you pull trolley valve, do you hear air exhausting from trailer when you release it?

You can also try hooking red and blue gladhands from the truck together with rubbing alcohol in either one then push red button in and out a few times ... It sounds like you have ice in a line ... Somewhere ...

 

I have been at this a day or two and the reasons I know what I know is I am not afraid to ask questions and or get my hands dirty. A driver is out in the middle of nowhere and has a problem it is nice to have some knowledge. Some garages love to beat up people who have no knowledge. This the O/O section and in my opinion most people who own their own truck want to know what makes it tick. Myself I do everything I possibly can myself. I would say most O/O think the same way.

 

Good luck. Hope it's an easy fix.

 

A lot of us have more experience turning wrenches than some shop mechanics, and a few even have the same credentials and certifications. I know a few mechanics-turned-driver because the money wasn't there at the shop they had been working at. I also know "mechanics" hired by some companies who had ZERO education or experience...showed up to work on their first day with a "196 piece mechanics tool set" from Sears because they were told to "bring your own tools". Just because they work in a shop and have a shirt with their name on it doesn't mean they know more than the driver who brought the truck in. I refuse to put my truck in ANY shop that won't let me supervise the work as it is being done, and prefer to use shops that will allow me to help the mechanic to save time and shop resources because they don't have to pay the 2nd mechanic to help out. Once I am comfortable with the work a shop does, I have no problem leaving my truck there and going elsewhere...but it takes a while to get to that point. I've seen far too much to blindly trust an unfamiliar shop.

 

Tractor protection valve??? maybe,, frozen up dirt or went bad

 

Well, the day is about over...any luck getting 'em working?

 

I was told long time ago. Rubbing alcohol is ok to use in a pinch. But it will dry out seals in the valve bodies if used to much. When you do use it try to put some air line conditioner in your lines when possible.
Joesmoothdog. You are naïve. To be an owner operator you become a mechanic. Part of the job.
OP good luck . IF your line is frozen in the tractor you can put some air line antifreeze/alcohol in you line out of the air compressor.

 

Xsetra is correct try not to use rubbing alcohol, for 3.99 buy a bottle of line conditioner. It has lubricants in it that will keep valves and seals intact. Rubbing alcohol is cheap but it will cost much more when you have to start changing components. Had my own trailer issue yesterday, once I re-conditioned the lines everything was back to normal in 30 minutes time. Winter causes issues.