yes I've tried that too

 

When you operate the manual slide, you are not in the computer. The manual slide does not depend on the accelerometer or the transducer at the master cylinder which again suggests a connection issue as you are basically working a switch feeding power down a wire. At times folks get the message and the controller still works manually, which does suggest a controller issue.

Before pulling the computer, I would suggest going to a dealer and having them test your system, if you have not done so. Despite the appearance, this system is not greatly advanced from what we have had for years. It simply combines known components using modern electronics.

Just a thought,

Steve

 

Maybe another thought is try / borrow a second trailer and see if the problem still exsisted. I'm wondering if there might be a resistance issue in the trailer wiring.

 

Thanks. I will perform both suggestions.

 

With the trailer disconnect, you know the circuit is open as far as the ICB is concerned and even with only one axle connected, you will not get the message as the controller does not know how many axles you have. It is either open or closed.

The thing about the IBC is that it is not really that special. High-end aftermarket controllers look for the same circuit and give off the same or similar messages to this is not just a Ford issue.

On my Ford IBC, if you tape the slide so it is constant on with no trailer, you will get the trailer disconnect message, but you still have power at the brake pin. I did this just the other day as I wanted to be sure I was right about how it worked. Getting a trailer disconnect message means you do not have brakes, it does not automatically mean there is not power at the pin.

Somewhere between the controller and the trailer, the circuit is losing contact. These can be absolutely maddening to track down as is any intermittent problem. On the used fiver we just bought, the night before I picked it up, I checked the seven pin in the bed of my truck and it was working perfectly. Pick up the trailer, nothing. Screw around with it while there, nothing. Finally plugged to the seven pin on my bumper and after proper screwing around (new technical term) I got it working well enough to get home.

Once home still nothing in the bed. Clean, clean, screw around, screw around and finally all is well. This is just a real common problem given what in my opinion is a very poor design at the connections. The reason I try to slow everything down while troubleshooting this problem is the natural tendency is to blame the black box in the system and, while that is possible, it is the least likely of the problem areas and I hate to see people spend money unless the problem is clearly diagnosed.

Just me,

Steve

 

Steve, great information and diagnostic approach. I agree the problem is probably in the trailer brake circuit, given the 'trailer disconnected' message. I used to get that message intermittently here while back with my flat bed trailer. I took the plug on the trailer apart and all looked fine. I took all wires apart from the plug, re-cut and re-connected them and the problem went away. I'm not sure what fixed it, only that it did.

I enjoy your informative posts and thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

Thanks Ron,

I can not tell you how many times I have been down this road. One of the most important factors here is the liability issue that goes along with brake controllers is huge, so Ford did not take that issue lightly in designing their controller. I have a hunch with liability in mind, the IBC may be a bit more sensitive to good connections than after-market controllers, but I do not know that for a fact.

Good job fixing your "controller".

Steve