Bought a brake controller for my 99 Expedition which has the factory 7pin tow package. All the trailer lights work when I hook it up to the truck but I'm not getting power to the trailer brakes. I towed this same trailer last week with my 14 F-150 without issue. The brake controller displays "--" when hooked up. When I manually depress the brake slide on the controller, the brake lights illuminate on the vehicle but again, no brakes. Is there a fuse for the electric brakes?

 

Here is the link to owners manuals find your 99 and go to page 135 there is a fuse.

JustGiveMeTheDamnManual.com - Your Source For Free Owners Manuals

 

You don't mention the brake controller make and model, but the bars you describe are likely telling you that the controller isn't 'reading' a trailer. This means that there's a short somewhere in the brake output circuit. The most likely thing to check (other than the fuse Lossoftraction mentioned) is a dirty/damaged/corroded 7-way connector on the Expy.

If you find white or green corrosion on the pins in the connector, there's a good chance the corrosion has migrated to the inside of the connector, preventing signal from getting through.

 

...and more than likely a relay is also required.

 

Just take it a step at a time. first verify you have the fuse and relay you need in place. After that an open circuit is far more likely than a short, post back once you are sure everything is in place and we can walk you through this.

Steve