Notices
All Things Towing Conventional, 5th Wheel, Toy Hauler, Flatbed, Gooseneck, Electrical/Brakes/etc.

Trailer brake don't work

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
Sclock's Avatar
Sclock
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Trailer brake don't work

I have a 2004 f250. Bought used with no owners manual. My trailer brakes quit working. I went to ford dealer and got the fuse diagram. Fuses are good. I switched brake controllers and still no luck. I know the brakes work on my trailer cause my buddy used it with his truck and had no problem. The deal said there is a relay for trailer brakes but could not or would not tell me the location of it. Any ideas????? I'm out of options other then taking it to someone to work on it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2014 | 08:38 PM
  #2  
BossGasser's Avatar
BossGasser
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro, OR
Did you test the fuses or look at them?
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 05:12 AM
  #3  
Pit Crew's Avatar
Pit Crew
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: north east Ohio
The relay is under the hood. Not sure which one, but if you just switch them around one at a time untill you find the bad or missing one.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 05:17 AM
  #4  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
I moved this to the towing section for some additional help. Check our tech folder as well.

check here for a copy of your owners manual. That should also help to locate which relay is for the towing:

Owner Manuals | fleet.ford.com
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 05:28 AM
  #5  
bigredtruckmi's Avatar
bigredtruckmi
Lead Driver
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Club FTE Gold Member
Check the brake switch located on the brake pedal. We had that problem. It will also affect the cruise control and several other functions of the truck.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 06:31 AM
  #6  
RV_Tech's Avatar
RV_Tech
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Fuses or connection between truck and trailer about 99% of the time. Almost never the brake controller.

Steve
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 08:02 AM
  #7  
seventyseven250's Avatar
seventyseven250
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
Agree with RV_Tech. Plus, if you swapped controlelrs and still had the issue, that also points to the controller not being an issue. Start testing the outputs at the rear bumper and go from there.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 05:33 PM
  #8  
Sclock's Avatar
Sclock
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Problem solved..... I bought a new relay and started swapping them out until I found the bad one. Probably not the best way but it worked. Thanks for every ones input.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 15, 2014 | 05:35 PM
  #9  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
Thanks for reporting back.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jeepclark
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Feb 25, 2012 03:14 PM
767indian
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
11
Aug 16, 2010 09:53 PM
yamaman22
Excursion - King of SUVs
2
Jun 25, 2007 06:04 PM
gtex
1997 - 2003 F150
3
Jan 2, 2007 07:44 PM
buddymx
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Jul 27, 2004 12:17 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:23 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE