The Truck:
2010 F150 Lariat S-Crew
With Trailer Tow Package (4 and 7 pin plugs, Hitch and Fog Lights)

It Does have plug for aftermarket controller (the one that matches up with the pigtail that came in the plastic bag along with the relay and fuse)
Does NOT have Factory installed Trailer Brake Controller.
Background:
Purchased truck new AND also Ordered Factory Trailer Brake Controller, was told at the time of purchase (By Sales) That installation would be no problem.
Went back for installation and was told it COULD NOT be installed because wiring harness did not have proper plug. They also mumbled something about needing a different Brake Master Cylinder.
I have read all the threads I could find (which were very helpful) but they seem to apply to 09 models.
So I looked for myself: There is NO PLUG attached to the rear of the of the rectangular cubbyhole/shelf between the steering wheel and console where the controller (TBC) would be installed.
THERE IS a cable attached to the rear of the round coin holder just above the (TBC) spot. This is a small 8 pin plug.

Questions:
Does anyone have information specific to 2010 models?
Could the plug I found possibly be the one for the TBC?
If it is not for the TBC, what is it for?
Should I look in other locations for the TBC plug?
Is it possible that they changed the rules for the 2010 Model?

All help and suggestions are appreciated

 

search for this thread titled: "Brake Controller Wiring Access??" I believe it says that the plug attached to the coin holder is for the TBC but it also says it's for a 2009. I find it hard to believe that in the next model they would attach something completely different to that very same spot. Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps

 

The instructions are with the pigtail that came with your truck.
Should be in a bag in your glove compartment, along with a couple of fuses.
I have a column shift and the install was very easy.
Console shift not as easy.
I used a prodegy controller.
I cut a hole in the back of the "coin" holder for the Prodegy harness and spliced the factory pigtail to it and the pluged it into the factory harness.
The prodegy sits in the coin holder.
No problemo.
With the console shift, you have to remove the console, but the actual wiring is a no brainer.
Hope this helps.
Actually, if you can, purchace the truck specific adaptor wire from Prodegy...if that is waht you buy...only about 15 bucks and then you don't have to do any splicing...just plug and play...once you gain access.

 

It sounds like your truck is a 2wd, if so the 8 pin connector attached to the back of the coin holder is for the 4x4 switch. If your truck came with the tow package the TBC connector had to be there some where. It's a 12 pin connector with 7 wires in it.
The 2010 F150's use a TBC that has no readout display on it. The readout is in the info display on the cluster.
There is nothing special about hooking up the factory TBC, just plug it in. But then it has to be turned on in the cluster with Fords diagnostic equipment.

 

It is a 2wd,
so is it possible that I have a 4x4 connector but NO TBC connector?
Any other thoughts/suggestions about where to find the 12 pin TBC connector?

 

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe 2010 trucks with the MAX trailer tow package come standard with the integrated tbc. I don't know if you can retrofit it if if it is not the MAX tow package.

My 2009 with MAX tow package did not come with the factory TBC, but I added it later for about $500. They made a change for 2010 on the package so I am not sure if it will retrofit on your vehicle.

 

It should come off the main harness around the same area as the 4x4 wiring.
I believe all the trucks have the TBC wiring.

 

From what I understand, at least for the 09, if you don't order the tow package you DON'T get the factory plug in off the main harness and you have some wireing to do.
There is a YouTube video by Hitch City I believe on how to do this if you don't have the factory plug in.
You may have to search a bit because I don't remember if it was Hitch City or not.
If your truck did not come with the 4 pin AND 7 pin connector at the back, then I don't think you have the heavy duty tow package.

 

Toto, there are 2 tow packages. Max Towing and Regular- and both come with the 4 and 7 pin connector on the rear of the truck and should have the connector under the dash for the the TBC.

 

2010 Brake Controller Question - Chapter 2
So, Saturday Morning the Salesman calls me and says they are ready to install the TBC (second time is the charm?)
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Monday Morning I take the truck back to the dealership and the Sales Manager greets me with a NEW and DIFFERENT TBC. He and I walk out to the parking lot where he proceeds to rip apart the dash and console and INSTALLS the TBC. (remember Service said I would need an aftermarket TBC).
He then hands it over to Service to be programmed into the trucks system.
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I now have a working TBC installed in the factory dash location, that looks just like the factory TBC and has communication with the dash.
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A few details
The FIRST TBC had a plug/interface which required a specific TBC cable which (apparently) should have been connected to the back of the coin bin/storage tray (where the TBC installs). This cable/plug is not present in my truck (or at least we haven’t found it), therefore there was no way to connect the FIRST TBC.
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The SECOND TBC (this is the one we installed) has a different interface, which will directly connect to the cable/plug assembly down by the steering column. This is the same connector that the PIGTAIL adapter would plug into if you used an aftermarket TBC.
(The pigtail comes in the plastic bag in the glove box along with the fuse and relay)

I was told that the second TBC was ordered from Ford Accessories.
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So,, I don’t have a clear explanation about what is going on here.
I know there are at least TWO TBC units sold by Ford.

It’s possible that Ford changed the wiring harness for the 2010 model and the TBC plug described in the 2009 discussion is no longer provided (or only provided with HD towing etc.)
OR It Could be that the Second TBC from Ford Accessories is a reduced function TBC that looks like the factory but functions more like an aftermarket. For instance I don’t know if it works with sway/stability control.
OR Best Case, It is possible that I have full factory functionality and all I needed was the proper TBC.
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Does anyone have thoughts, comments or details???

 

I would have to check but I highly doubt they changed the connector from 09 to 10.
There are how ever different TBC's for the different years.
2009 trucks use a TBC with a display.
2010 trucks use a TBC with no display as it displays the info in the message center in the cluster.

 

This TBC has a display which shows gain setting etc.
It also provides some readout to the instrument cluster Although the only readout I remember seeing is Trailer Disconnected.

 

All of the readouts should be in the instrument cluster on 2010. They installed the wrong TBC. The TBC should look like the one in this link. 2010 Ford F-150 Features | Official Site of the Ford F-150 | FordVehicles.com

I also looked at my truck for the TBC plug and it is not plugged into the back of the tray.
The connector is taped to the main harness that runs along the bottom of the IP almost directly behind the Data Link Connector. It has a dummy connector plugged into it.
No wonder you couldn't find it, they moved it for 2010.

 

oboy44,
Sorry, been away for a few days. My TBC looks like the one in the link, it definitely has a display and there is also some display in the dash.

was wondering if you could post a picture of the plug in your truck?
still haven't gotten to the bottom of this.

 

You have the wrong TBC, for 2010 they changed the TBC to one that has no display. The one in the link I provided has no display and that is what yours should look like.
All TBC info is displayed in the dash for 2010.
I'll get a picture of the connector but it will be a few days.