I have a factory integrated trailer brake controller on my 2010 F150 that has never been used. Yesterday I hooked my tandem axle car hauler to the truck, but the trailer brake controller said not connected. The trailer lights did work. The trailer has been hooked to my Expedition and everything worked great. Any ideas why the controller is not recognizing the trailer? Thanks.

 

Did you get any other messages, or fault codes? The TBC works only with electric brakes. It will not work with hydraulic surge brakes, or Electric-over-Hydraulic brakes. At least that's what it states in the owners manual. How about a blown fuse or bad relay? Or possibly a missing fuse or relay?

 

The trailer has dual electric drum brake axles. The dash just says no connection, but all the lights still work. I was wondering if the factory installed trailer brake controller needed fuses/relays installed before using. This is the first time its been used.

 

Mine will do the same thing if the plugs not pushed in far enough and I've also learned to wiggle the plug as I'm pushing the plug into the socket to get better contact.

 

on my 2012 the controller worked right away with no relays or fuses req'd.

Check your fuse box though... its possible the fuse is blown.

And check your connector. I had trouble one time with a broken out pin in my trailer side connector. I had to put a new connector on the trailer side to fix it. Unfortunately for me, it was the ground wire so I lost lights and everything. If you just lost your brake wire then your lights would still work.

 

Look in the glove box for the fuses and relay that are likely not installed. Don't know why but most of the trucks including mine do not have the relays and fuses installed even with the built in controller mine still came with the harness for a aftermarket controller.

 

My 2010 had the integrated controller installed but the fuse and relay were still in the bag! Harness and instructions were also in the bag. Fuse and relay go in slots 21 and 41 IIRC.

 

Wow.. My dealer not only installed the bag 'o' stuff they also filled the 36 gallon gas tank for me when I picked it up...

Mitch

 

Boy Mitch ain't that a treat!!

 

Same with my 99 and 03 F-150s as well as the 2011s I test drove. Two relays for the trailer brakes: one for trailer battery charging and one for brake controller.

I speculate that a smaller % of F-150 buyers tow something requiring electric brake controller. Having the trailer battery charge pin of the 7-pin hot all the time, or hot in run, when trailer harness is not plugged in is a risk.

 

Having the pins hot at all times when not towing will cause them to corrode and not work when you need them. I have seen it many times people ignore the connector til they need it and it no longer works. Reminds me to clean mine in the morning thanks.

 

Thanks for all the help. I've looked at my truck and the only thing that seems to be missing is fuse #21 under the hood. Could this keep my trailer brakes from working? I didn't find a relay, harness or fuse floating around in the truck anywhere. Thanks.

 

The fuse and a relay will be in a small clear plastic bag. It will be in either your glove box, or center console. If I remember correctly, #21 is the "Battery charge relay Power" location - for a 30A fuse. #9 is the "TT Battery charger Relay" location. That's were they are for my '11 Lariat. I guess it would be the same for a 2010? If you don't have them or can't locate them go to your dealer. They should of been there. I tow a 7x14 tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer. It doesn't have an on board battery to charge so I haven't put them in. But my trailer brakes and controller work fine. I can't run the trailers interior lights when the truck is off or in acc. thou. So I may put them in this spring.

 

Scarlet as a side note your trailer with electric brakes must have a battery to be legal. It has to have the ability to stop on it's own if disconnected. A breakaway switch and battery are required by DOT for electric trailer brakes to be legal.

 

I realize that. The break away switch is on the frame by the hitch. It's a little black box, with an eyelet that has the safety cable. I was referring to a regular automotive 12V battery. Since we are on that subject, is there a separate battery that is used for the breakaway switch? And were would I find it on/in the cargo trailer? Is it a part of the breakaway switch? I always thought that, the safety chains would hold the trailer close enough to the truck to allow the plug to stay connected to supply the power for the electric brakes. And that's assuming I have the chains on correctly and the plug attached to allow the cord to move freely. Am I wrong?