Troubleshooting Malfunctioning Integrated Brake Controller on a 2006 Ford Truck

Expert Reply:

The early integrated brake controllers, like on your 2006 model, were buggy and had a lot of problems. Most of our customers end up disconnecting them and installing a traditional brake controller. This will require a computer re-flash at your dealership. If not, the truck computer will still look for the factory brake controller and you will have a check engine light. It is not the 7-Way on your truck. If the 7-Way was the problem, you would not get voltage at the 5:00 pin when you manually activate the controller.

If you want to continue to try to use the integrated brake controller you need to check the stop light switch on the brake pedal. There is a wire that runs from this switch to the brake pedal that tells the brake controller that you are braking. If you have signal on this wire when you apply brake pedal, that means there is something wrong with the brake controller. This is most likely what is happening in your case. We highly recommend using an aftermarket brake controller in this case. The Ford replacement brake controllers often have the same problems that the OEM ones did for the 2005 and 2006 trucks.

If the wire on the switch does not go hot, then the switch may be the problem and just needs to be replaced.

We have not seen any problems with 2007 or newer Ford trucks with integrated brake controllers. Most of our 2005-2006 guys have purchased aftermarket brake controllers and have been very pleased. They usually choose either the Tekonsha Prodigy, part # 90185-3065P, Tekonsha P3 part # 90195-3065P.

expert reply by: Patrick B