How does the truck determine....
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
How does the truck determine....
if a trailer is connected? I am trying to rig up a test plug so I can measure the output of the trailer brake controller to ensure it produces full voltage when brakes are fully applied.
what does the truck use to determine if a trailer is connected. inserting a 7 pin plug without any attached wires doesn't do anything, the dash display still indicates "trailer disconnected".
As always, all input on this matter is appreciated.
what does the truck use to determine if a trailer is connected. inserting a 7 pin plug without any attached wires doesn't do anything, the dash display still indicates "trailer disconnected".
As always, all input on this matter is appreciated.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
From: Panama City, FL area
No, not a jumper wire, that would blow your fuse. It should have resistance to simulate your electric brakes. If you measure the resistance on your trailer harness it will tell you how much resistance your jumper should have.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 6
From: Whitecourt AB, Canada
If you want a true test, the resistance equivalent to brake electromagnets is going to be a lower value (around 3-4 ohms each side) so you need something that can properly dissipate the energy as heat. That is probably not going to be a 1/4 watt resistor. If you want to simulate several axles those resistances are in parallel and lower it even more.
Ideally just use an old brake electromagnet.
Just a jumper wire (0 ohms) will present itself as a short and will trigger the 'Trailer Wiring Fault' message and/or blow fuses if the system doesn't detect it properly.
Ideally just use an old brake electromagnet.
Just a jumper wire (0 ohms) will present itself as a short and will trigger the 'Trailer Wiring Fault' message and/or blow fuses if the system doesn't detect it properly.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
Why cant this sort of thing be simple.....? I will wait until I hook up the trailer this weekend and then just test the voltage at each wheel.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
From: at the truck pulls
I agree with Trent, although I can't vouch for any values as I don't know them, but the logic is what I believe takes place. With computers on out trucks its very easy to sense very small amounts.
Just wondering, are you curious or are you wanting to modify or make something else.
Just wondering, are you curious or are you wanting to modify or make something else.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
You can still test the trailer brake output with a simple bargman tester. That's easy to do but will not test trucks ability to detect if brakes are present. The only way to make the truck think the brakes are present is to simulate the load. Since the load is relatively heavy, you need a load that can dissipate significant power. A simple battery load tester might do the trick... you know those old kinds with a pair of jumper-type cables, meter, and a big heatsink. Just a thought...
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
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From: Ontario, Canada
I am trying to determine if there is a problem with my TBC... in a previous thread, I noted that when I have my 5er hooked up I have to set the TBC gain value to 10 and it still doesn't seem like the trailer is braking very well. I got the same result with two different trailers, one of which weighed only 8500lbs (my 5er is 15k lbs). I also have to take apart each trailer brake and do a full inspection of each, but I figured I would try the easy part (so I thought) first.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 11
From: Central NJ
At the risk of stating the obvious, but cannot you take it to the dealer with that complaint? Or, the folks who sold you the 5er should be able to tell you what's up. The little joint I use has the thingamajiggy you all are talking about and can test the output of my brake controller as well as trailer lights ect....
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, TX
Can you not squeeze the lever to manually apply brakes, and thus send voltage to your trailer plug? That is how I tested my 2006 model. It won't simulate a load, but it will tell you if you are getting voltage at the plug.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
At the risk of stating the obvious, but cannot you take it to the dealer with that complaint? Or, the folks who sold you the 5er should be able to tell you what's up. The little joint I use has the thingamajiggy you all are talking about and can test the output of my brake controller as well as trailer lights ect....
Does your thingamajiggy simply light up if there is power, or does it give some sort of voltage reading as well?
