trailer fault
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: MN
trailer fault
2006 f 350 DRW 6.0 with factory trailer brake controller.
I got a "trailer fault" code on the dash.
The trailer is plugged in, I have checked the connection, trailer side is new. The connection slides in smoothly and firmly no apparent problems with the connection.
I get no faults when I plug in the trailer, I can drive it apply the brakes, use the directional lights, with no faults or problems. All lights, brake/directional lights work good.
I turn on the headlights/running lights I get the fault code (trailer fault) on the dash, but all running lights/tail lights work fine. Everything works as it should. The brakes work. The battery on the "breakaway" says "charging". This does not change when I turn on the lights.
Is there a list of faults for the Trailer brake controller, some guide lines on what to check for each different code.
I have read on different forums, guys have fault codes for module, brakes, directional lights, but I find no information on just a "trailer fault"
Any ideas on what the problem could be and where to start looking?
I got a "trailer fault" code on the dash.
The trailer is plugged in, I have checked the connection, trailer side is new. The connection slides in smoothly and firmly no apparent problems with the connection.
I get no faults when I plug in the trailer, I can drive it apply the brakes, use the directional lights, with no faults or problems. All lights, brake/directional lights work good.
I turn on the headlights/running lights I get the fault code (trailer fault) on the dash, but all running lights/tail lights work fine. Everything works as it should. The brakes work. The battery on the "breakaway" says "charging". This does not change when I turn on the lights.
Is there a list of faults for the Trailer brake controller, some guide lines on what to check for each different code.
I have read on different forums, guys have fault codes for module, brakes, directional lights, but I find no information on just a "trailer fault"
Any ideas on what the problem could be and where to start looking?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: MN
I read the older thread, one of the posters, mentions "resetting the Trailer Brake Controller, how do you do that?
Right now I am checking my grounds and the wiring for the running lights... it seems logical that the problem could be with the running light circuit, since the "trailer fault" light on dash, shows it self when I turn the light switch to the on positions.
Is it possible;
to have a bad/weak ground and the running lights on the trailer function as they should, bright/normal, and still set the fault light off on the truck?
Is it possible;
to have a marginal connection with in the running light circuit, where the all the lights function bright normal. and still set the fault light off in the truck?
Right now I am checking my grounds and the wiring for the running lights... it seems logical that the problem could be with the running light circuit, since the "trailer fault" light on dash, shows it self when I turn the light switch to the on positions.
Is it possible;
to have a bad/weak ground and the running lights on the trailer function as they should, bright/normal, and still set the fault light off on the truck?
Is it possible;
to have a marginal connection with in the running light circuit, where the all the lights function bright normal. and still set the fault light off in the truck?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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Had a 2006 F350 that was purchased new; was mainly just a plow truck after 2010.
used to have trailer hitch mounted reverse lights plugged into the trailer plug. They stopped working a few years ago. Went to mess with the trailer plug a few years ago, and the whole plug fell out due to rust.
caused a “trailer fault” message and battery drain. Think the insulation on the trailer hitch wires were dried and cracked and now shorting. I just cut off the plug and capped the wires. That fixed the electrical drain, but still got the trailer fault message.
I checked the fuses and even unplugged the trailer brake controller (was oem when I bought the truck), but could never get rid of the fault message.
Traded the truck in last year.
So.....my trailer fault apparently started with cracked wiring at the trailer hitch, if that helps at all.
used to have trailer hitch mounted reverse lights plugged into the trailer plug. They stopped working a few years ago. Went to mess with the trailer plug a few years ago, and the whole plug fell out due to rust.
caused a “trailer fault” message and battery drain. Think the insulation on the trailer hitch wires were dried and cracked and now shorting. I just cut off the plug and capped the wires. That fixed the electrical drain, but still got the trailer fault message.
I checked the fuses and even unplugged the trailer brake controller (was oem when I bought the truck), but could never get rid of the fault message.
Traded the truck in last year.
So.....my trailer fault apparently started with cracked wiring at the trailer hitch, if that helps at all.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Many fault codes are generated by deterioration of the seven pin connection on the back side of the bumper, not on the trailer side. Water gets in there and eventually contacts break down. As a general rule it is not the controller itself. Sounds like your truck spent some of its time in a harsh environment so I would check there. The plug comes apart and is not too hard to check. Since everything works until there is a voltage drop at the seven pin (I suspect), the ground is most often the seven pin lead that corrodes.
Steve
Steve
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Cross-Country
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From: MN
My 2006 f 350 has 69k miles the truck is inside, most of the time. I have taken the connector apart and it looks new. No corrosion.
The truck gets no faults when towing my Travel Trailer.
I only get the fault message when I am connected to the flat bed car trailer, and ONLY when I turn on the running lights.
Is there significance, in the fact that the fault only shows up when I turn on the running lights? Am I correct to inspect and reconnect all the connection points of the running light circuit and clean all grounds to the trailer?
Again, IF I do not turn on the running lights I get NO fault message, it is only when I turn on the running lights.
Everything else seems to be operating correctly.
The truck gets no faults when towing my Travel Trailer.
I only get the fault message when I am connected to the flat bed car trailer, and ONLY when I turn on the running lights.
Is there significance, in the fact that the fault only shows up when I turn on the running lights? Am I correct to inspect and reconnect all the connection points of the running light circuit and clean all grounds to the trailer?
Again, IF I do not turn on the running lights I get NO fault message, it is only when I turn on the running lights.
Everything else seems to be operating correctly.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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if you have a third trailer to hook up, may want to do that just as a triple check that it’s definitely a trailer issue
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