We have a shocking situation on our hands. I noticed the other day that the brake controller (Hayes) was doing a weird clicking noise and was cycling through some numbers and the brake lights were lighting up and turning off. The Hayes sometimes displayed an "OC" code. We finally decided to disconnect it from power and see if it could reset itself as we're outside the US and unable to get another. We left it disconnected (and obviously didn't tow) for a few days then reconnected it and it worked fine. We connected the trailer and took it for a test drive; again, working fine. I just noticed that we are not charging the batteries when we're hooked up. I had Jamie clean the connector on the back of the van - the wiring harness connector and that made no difference. I am getting shocked when I touch the outside of the van now, but Jamie says he is not. I looked under the dash and there is one loose wire that is hot.

Any ideas where to start on this? We have a couple problems and they are probably related. 1) trailer not charging when hooked up to TV and 2) getting shocked when touching the van (metal parts - not all the time, I thought it could be static electricity, but I don't think so). TIA!

We have a 2002 Ford E350 7.3L PSD extended super heavy duty (15 pass) van. When we bought it, we had a new wiring harness installed, a hitch put on and a Hayes brake controller installed. We can't take it back to where we had that work done; they're in snow and we're in Mexico.

I've been reading through alligators posts, but he seems to be talking about a 2004 and I'm not sure if this is the same. I'll keep going through his posts.

 

I get that from my F250 with a trailer hooked up,also i have got shocked by a toyota tundra when getting out and closing the door.It feels like static electricity to me.

 

I would think static electricity but we've been towing for over a year and I've never been shocked like this before. We're currently in the desert (Baja) and have been here before but I don't remember the shocking I'm getting. Course it doesn't happen each and every time I touch the van. Just when I'm not expecting it.

 

I'm not sure but as far as I have been able to determine 2002 is same as 2004. I'm not home right now so I can't reference my shop manual but I try to help if I can. You need to look under the van and determine exactly what the installing shop did to hook up your trailer controller. I bet you have a wire with frayed insulation touching your van's body or frame. When the engine is running the voltage that is supposed to be charging the battery is probably what is shocking you.

 

It will happin to me just before it snows or rains.

 

you are probably feeling static electricity as 12v dc just does not have the ump to travel thru you. you can buy static grounding straps, dry conditions are ideal for static electricity
sounds like lost power to the 12v terminal(#4) on your trailer plug, possibly blew a fuse.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq/wiring.asp