Factory Trailer Brake Controller Problems..
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Factory Trailer Brake Controller Problems..
So back to working on my truck, I've been having this problem since I bought the truck about two months ago. Everytime few times I press the brakes with the trailer hooked up it flashes "trailer disconnected" and starts beeping even when this flashes my trailer lights and brakes still work.
I tried it with all four of my trailers which all work correctly with other trucks and the problem persisted. So first thing I checked was the trucks trailer wiring and connectors, well It was rigged so I cut it all out back to the wiring harness and wired it up right. Well, Still have the problem.
So I checked the controller(TBC) and noticed that when I press the brakes and It says trailer disconnected my TBC sceen sporadically flashes like its got a short or something. Here's the wired thing, If I reach over and manually test my brakes the work fine... I'm thinking bad TBC?
is a video so you guys can give me y'alls opinion. Need to get it going for the Saint Jude Trial Ride next weekend.
I tried it with all four of my trailers which all work correctly with other trucks and the problem persisted. So first thing I checked was the trucks trailer wiring and connectors, well It was rigged so I cut it all out back to the wiring harness and wired it up right. Well, Still have the problem.
So I checked the controller(TBC) and noticed that when I press the brakes and It says trailer disconnected my TBC sceen sporadically flashes like its got a short or something. Here's the wired thing, If I reach over and manually test my brakes the work fine... I'm thinking bad TBC?
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Sometimes it is the wiring harness at the rear bumper plug.
I had to replace the ITBC in my old 2005 it was acting up so much. It would either disconnect with a trailer attached (similar to what you are experiencing) or act up even with no trailer installed. Extremely annoying to have the beeping and the message center constantly broadcast warning reminders for nothing.
Josh
I had to replace the ITBC in my old 2005 it was acting up so much. It would either disconnect with a trailer attached (similar to what you are experiencing) or act up even with no trailer installed. Extremely annoying to have the beeping and the message center constantly broadcast warning reminders for nothing.
Josh
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Since the pedal and manual override on the IBC use the same circuit to feed the trailer, and the manual override works, it is hard to make a case it is the plug at the rear or the harness from the controller to the seven pin plug, assuming good trailer braking with manual slide. This set of symptoms is normally indicative of a bad IBC.
When you see the "no trailer connected" the IBC is simply saying the circuit through the seven pin to the trailer is not complete. It is the blue lead only at the trailer feeding the power.
You can also get this same set of symptoms with defective aftermarket controllers.
When you see the "no trailer connected" the IBC is simply saying the circuit through the seven pin to the trailer is not complete. It is the blue lead only at the trailer feeding the power.
You can also get this same set of symptoms with defective aftermarket controllers.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Other side of the sunrise
I've gotten this warning a couple of times shortly after plugging in the trailer plug and driving down the road. What I found my problem to be was the plug not fitting snugly and having a poor connection. Wiggling the plug and pushing in a little has so far cleared the warning each time. Not sure if it is the factory Ford 7 pin connector or the trailer's plug. I will eventually have to replace one side or the other, not sure which one yet, but thought you could check yours as well. It would be a lot cheaper than the ITBC, if the same issue as mine...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Foothills, CA
Mine's had issues similar to Tim -- I never have a problem when not hooked up. I used some crap Napa grease on the terminals (Sylglide) some years back, trying to keep oxidation down and the stuff caked up hard. So that was my 1st issue. Second is a flaky ground on the horse trailer plug side, I bent the tabs in the plug (they were messed up) and use a tiny bungee cord to hold the plug in securely and that's worked so far..
If it's acting up w/ no trailer, I'm thinking you're on the right track and it's up in the head unit probably...
If it's acting up w/ no trailer, I'm thinking you're on the right track and it's up in the head unit probably...
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
I've gotten this warning a couple of times shortly after plugging in the trailer plug and driving down the road. What I found my problem to be was the plug not fitting snugly and having a poor connection. Wiggling the plug and pushing in a little has so far cleared the warning each time. Not sure if it is the factory Ford 7 pin connector or the trailer's plug. I will eventually have to replace one side or the other, not sure which one yet, but thought you could check yours as well. It would be a lot cheaper than the ITBC, if the same issue as mine...
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From: Bristol, TN.
For those who do a lot of towing and have plug issues the best stuff I have found is a product called Stabilant. It is much better than anything available at the automotive stores. It works like magic on the pins provided the pin is not completely gone. I carry it in my truck and it has bailed out my butt in situations where troubleshooting would have been very problematic.
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Don't sell it, just like it! Untitled Document
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Yep, Everytime I hit the pedal it starts freaking out. I ordered a like new TBC off ebay (fingers crossed) and new factory plug and play wiring harness for the two plugs in the back just to be sure... I'm tired of fooling with this! LOL
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
I will be curious to hear how this comes out.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
The hardest thing about the IBC is folks tend to overthink the problem. It is really no different than a high-end aftermarket controller other than it uses a few more inputs to activate, it will activate with the ABS systems, and it is lacking many of the built-in diagnostics of a good after-market controller (which I think is a huge draw back, he says editorializing). 
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For those who do a lot of towing and have plug issues the best stuff I have found is a product called Stabilant. It is much better than anything available at the automotive stores. It works like magic on the pins provided the pin is not completely gone. I carry it in my truck and it has bailed out my butt in situations where troubleshooting would have been very problematic.
Don't sell it, just like it! Untitled Document
Don't sell it, just like it! Untitled Document
Which product?
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