Can one bench test an electric brake controller (the timed variety) for functionality just by putting 12v & ground to it & then squeezing the trigger? I should get 12V on the red wire (brake pedal switch wire) & almost 12v on the blue wire....right?

Can one test it in the pickup by checking at the bumper attach connector w/a volt meter? Reading some of the Tekonsha faqs, it reads like there has to be a "load sensed" to make it work. So, do I need more load than a simple VOM?

I'm suspecting wiring problems, but then again maybe it's the controller.