Brake Controller

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Jan 16, 2023 | 05:00 PM

sailorman3

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2004

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Brake Controller

( I did post this in the towing section but am hoping to get a faster response here. Thanks)
I have a 2017 F150 with the OEM brake controller. If I use the controller manually, brakes will come on no problem. If I use the brake pedal, it will only give me one bar of gain which gives me little if any braking power. The fuse by the footwell for the module is good. The fuse under the hood for the module is good. The gain is set at 8 and the force is set for moderate. I’ve cleaned both connectors, the one on the truck and the one on the trailer. At this time I am by myself so I cannot test the brake wire voltage coming out of the trailer to see if it varies What else can I do or look for at this time?Thanks

Jan 17, 2023 | 06:15 AM

Olds64

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From: Edmond, OK

If you have a multimeter with clip leads you can test the voltage by yourself. Just set up your multimeter and use your phone or a digital camera to take a short video while you depress the brake pedal. Sort of a pain but it would give you more info.

Some multimeters even have a hold function that will retain the last reading until cleared.

Jan 17, 2023 | 11:42 AM

99powerstrokedF250

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1st - what speed are you testing your brakes at? If I recall this is a proportional brake controller, meaning it applies harder as speed increases, to give you an 'even' stop instead of the 'jerk' feeling of the old pendulum style controllers. Turning the gain up will make the trailer brakes apply harder, but they still apply proportionally to your truck brakes, specifically to alleviate the 'jerk' feeling. 0

2nd - what kind of a trailer is this? If it's an RV or even a light-duty (less than 10k) flatbed or utility trailer, you'll likely want it set for 'light electric', not 'moderate.' 'Moderate' would be for an equipment trailer, with a heavier-duty braking system.

Jan 17, 2023 | 01:25 PM

sailorman3

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 221

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Thanks for the reply. I’ve got everything straightened out now. It was a cargo trailer and the brakes were out of adjustment. Once I got it adjusted, and the controller set up properly, the gain on 6 and effort at moderate, it’s hard to tell the trailer is back there during breaking. Thanks for your reply.

Jan 20, 2023 | 09:32 AM

99powerstrokedF250

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorman3

That will also cause you major issues. Glad it got squared away.

Mar 13, 2023 | 12:13 PM

220KF250

5th Wheeling

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 47

Likes: 1

From: North Pole, AK

I'm having an issue with my '05 F250 S/D diesel. Intermittently, the brake lights will come on and the Tow/haul controller will squawk --- without me stepping on the brakes, and not towing a trailer. I believe this may also occur when I am towing a trailer. I had the bed off the truck last week and all the rear wiring checked for shorting and corrosion. The dash odometer and trip meters are not working --- most of the time. If they were, I'd get a report "Check trailer wiring", or words to that effect. I'm wondering if I have a bad controller, light switch, brake switch or dash circuit board.

Any thoughts?