Brake controllers

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Dec 27, 2010 | 01:59 AM

#16

IDMooseMan

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,756

Likes: 38

From: Nampa, ID

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchamberlain

If IDMooseMan is talking about the '97 in his sig, he didn't have a factory brake controller.

I've encountered this a number of times here on FTE. Apparently it was not uncommon for dealers to add an aftermarket brake controller to a truck, then sell it as "factory."

That's the one I'm talking about. I have the factory tow package. Don't know if a brake contoller was included in that package.

(On a side note, I ordered the Build Sheet. It shows several packages included on my truck, but I can't locate any information regarding what is included in the individual packages.)

The Prodigy I installed has worked wonderfully over the years I've had it. I've towed the trailer from California (I had to pick it up from Mom's place) to Idaho and made several trips back to California. I've towed it all over Idaho, too. I have absolutely no complaints with the Prodigy.

I noticed that someone mentioned a 4-pin connector was part of their factory tow package. Mine doesn't have one; only the 7-pin connector. Maybe that's included in the newer truck tow packages? I have an adapter to convert 7-pin to 4-pin so it really isn't a problem; just more of an observation.

Dec 31, 2010 | 07:42 AM

#17

Super Steve

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 904

Likes: 0

From: PHOENIX

So I have the Tekonsha P3 now.
I also have the adaptor plug that plugs into the brake controller and the truck.
Where is the plug outlet located in reference to the OBD plug?

Dec 31, 2010 | 09:53 AM

#18

dchamberlain

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 8,180

Likes: 669

From: Scio, OR

Take the panel below the steering wheel off. On the right (passenger) side of that compartment is a steel frame structure. In that structure is a triangular hole. The plug is attached to the other side of that frame structure right were that hole is. It's a grey plug usually.

It's a pain in the butt to get to.

Dec 31, 2010 | 12:00 PM

#19

Super Steve

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 904

Likes: 0

From: PHOENIX

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchamberlain

Yay.
Nothing is ever easy.
Thanks.

Dec 31, 2010 | 02:04 PM

#20

TexasRebel

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 2,752

Likes: 5

From: Stillwater, OK

It gets easier in newer pickups

as of '08 if you don't have a factory TBC the plug you are looking for is dead-headed onto the back of the coin holder that replaces it.

Jan 9, 2011 | 12:18 AM

#21

tamo2000

New User

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

Reese Brake Controller installation - need help

Hi All!
Looking for some help for a brake controller installation.
I plan to tow a 19 ft trailer next weekend and just bought a Reese Pilot brake controller plus the Ford wiring harness.
car: e150, 2003, V8 5.4L.
I think the car has the towpackage as it has a tranny coller and it looks that the hitch has been always there.
Also there is a wiring harness (plug c248 according to addatadiy page). Still the color codes of the harness confuse me.

HEre is what I got:
The 6-bin C248 connector left under the steering column fits the ford harness I bought. STill it has the following colors:
1-Grey/ (with red stripe)
2-Yellow
3-Dark Blue
4-Orange
5-light green
6-light blue

This all does not fit to the information which came with the Reese brake controller. For ford (until 2009) it says:
Red: 12V
Lt. Green: Stoplight
White: Ground
Dark Blue: TRailer Brakes
Brown: n/a

OK, I got light green and DB, but that's it.

Question:
1. Any suggestion?
2. Could somebody check with a tow package what the color coding is?
3. How do I find out if I really have a factory tow package and it was not added later?

The plug is grey.
Thanks!

Jan 9, 2011 | 03:23 PM

#22

Super Steve

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 904

Likes: 0

From: PHOENIX

Which plug do you have by the hitch?

Jan 9, 2011 | 04:30 PM

#23

minitrk

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 244

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamo2000

If you have the underdash plug and you bought the correct ford harness then you will just match colors of the harness to the controller, then plug the harness into the truck.

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Jan 9, 2011 | 07:56 PM

#24

tamo2000

New User

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

SOLVED:Reese Brake Controller installation - need help

OK, I took some time and found the reason after looking a long time in the wrong direction. The solution is: There are two identical plugs under the dash: a brown and a grey one. The break controller wiring harness for Ford fits in both.
The brown one was so much hidden I did not find it - not an easy location to get to.

The brown one is ID C248 and a grey ID C238. It is the brown one to use.
In the grey it causes weired behavior with the turn light - I hope I did not break anything.

Jan 14, 2011 | 09:07 PM

#25

IDIDieselJohn

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 8,005

Likes: 7

From: Ottawa, Ontario

I've got a question since were in the subjet of brake controllers....

What type, like what model or style or whatever you wanna call it my old style 1980's brake controller I have in my motorhome? Works great, and I can manually push the **** with my finger to brake the trailer, and make the trailer slow me down. The **** moves to the left when you step on the brake.

Heres a pic:

Jan 14, 2011 | 09:47 PM

#26

rvpuller

Moderator

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 6,507

Likes: 897

From: Home Base Nebraska

John that is the old style hydraulic controller, it should have a brake line going to a tee at the master cylinder. They where a great controller but when they started to put ABS on the rear brakes they couldn't be used anymore because they displaced to much fluid. After using one like that I was never happy with any other controller until I bought a Brakesmart that also works directly off the master cylinder but uses a transducer to sense the braking pressure instead of brake fluid pushing on a cylinder like your does.

Denny

Jan 14, 2011 | 09:54 PM

#27

IDIDieselJohn

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 8,005

Likes: 7

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Perfect thanks, Denny!

Hydraulic controller. It does have a tee on the master and an extra line heading towards the back.

Since this thing is an '87 is doesn't have that useless Rear Anti Lock, it's got that Load Sensitive Proportioning valve on the axle.

Jan 15, 2011 | 01:39 AM

#28

roberto.porter20

New User

Joined: Jan 2011

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9; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> The prodigy is highly recommended. Read this : Tekonsha Prodigy | TRAILER ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER

Jan 15, 2011 | 07:09 AM

#29

rvpuller

Moderator

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 6,507

Likes: 897

From: Home Base Nebraska

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberto.porter20

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w

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After having a controller that worked directly off the trucks hydraulic system like Johns does I was never happy with any other controller until I bought a Brakesmart. I ended up with 4 or 5 on the shelf including Prodigy, but I still have the Prodigy as a backup just in case. The Ford built in controller also works off the truck hydraulic system so if I bought a new truck I would use it instead of a Brakesmart or Brake Max that is like the Brakesmart. If you are pulling a lite trailer you can't tell that much difference because the truck can handle the extra wight but I pull a 16K 5th wheel (that we live in) and there is no way the truck brakes can stop this thing. With a system that works off the trucks hydraulic system you can't even fell the trailer brakes come on, no jerk just smooth braking

.

Denny

Jan 15, 2011 | 10:14 AM

#30

Super Steve

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 904

Likes: 0

From: PHOENIX

Any suggestions on where to mount the P3 on a superduty?
Also, do you use the screws it came with and screw only to the plastic?
I was thinking underneath that little pocket for wallets.

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