I have been reading on here and watching youtube videos of other unit installations and want to confire about something. I bought a oem electric brake controller off of ebay out of a junked 08 f250. It has a return policy, but I am not sure I need to send the unit back. According to my truck once I plugged the unit in the information center is telling me "Trailer Brake Fault." Is this because


1) My computer is not recognizing the brake controller and needs a ford tech to sync the controller to the computer

2) I missed something on the install, I did note a single wire with a single plug that was unused. I have the factory aux switches and asumed it was for something else. Is it a ground?

3) My unit is bad

Thanks in advance.

 

Number One

 

x2 on number one , I also thought the master cylinder was different..

 

I'm pretty sure you need a master cylinder. that's why I went with a $20 adapter harness and the Tekonsha from my last truck sits an inch from my right knee. Doesn't look the cleanest but it's cost effective.

 

I stuggle to understand why you would need the master cylinder replaced, but I guess Ill find out when I take it to get programed. I am ok with a few extra to get the clean look, seeing that Im about even right now, I guess I can afford a few more bucks.

 

If the truck came with the integrated controller, there were two ports on the master cylinder. One for the regular Brake Pressure Switch for the cruise control and a Brake Pressure sensor for the brake controller.

If the truck came without the integrated controller, the port for the Brake Pressure sensor was not drilled and tapped.

 

My FIRST post! I've read the thread about adding an OEM Trailer Brake Controller to a truck that did NOT have one installed from the factory,.and have a question. I bought a used low mile 6.0 diesel 4 x4 automatic F350 that has the 7 Way plug on the back of the truck and it's it hot on all wires EXCEPT the Brake Control Wire. I bought an OEM Brake Controller because I saw the wires for it plugged into a blank cubby hole insert on the dash. Took Cubby Hole insert out checked wires for power and found them hot so i bought an OEM Brake Controller and installed it, I get the TBC error light on dash. That clears when pushing the reset button on dash (but comes back after every restart) I checked the 7-way Plug pin for brake control and had someone Holding the buttons on Controller and the Brake control pin was hot, so I assumed it was working and I just needed to take truck in to Ford and have them turn ON the TBC in the software. When I went to a dealer, they told me there was more needed than just turning the software on for it?? So now what? Can anyone tell me what I need to buy besides an aftermarket brake control? The dealer said there was a different Master Cylinder needed and a sensor, but nobody there could tell me a part number for either part?? I thought about it for a few days and started looking for an extra wired plug in near the Master Cylinder and there is one back plugged into a blank on the wiring loom, not sure it's the right one but it's there. Can anyone tell me if I change the master cylinder to one that has both ports drilled and tapped what else I'll need and if that will cure the problem?? I'd appreciate part numbers if you know them.. Thanks all.

 

Yes, you need the 3 port master cylinder that has a pressure switch to activate the brake controller. The wire that it connects to is right there already so you just replace the master cylinder assembly, bleed the brakes, and you should be good to go. You can save yourself money by getting Forscan and a obd2 adapter suggested by them. https://forscan.org/download.html you can download it free and look around, think its like 50 to buy a lifetime, then say 50 for an adapter. Stealership is going to bang you for at least 150 and with forscan you look in there anytime and diagnosis other issues, or change tire sizes, tire pressures, turn off buzzers, activate daytime running lights. Makes a lot of sense to just get forscan and do programming yourself.