Alright, today on this 2009 Ford F-150 we are going to diagnose a brake controller problem. Now we can use these steps on any brake controller that is on the market to verify if it is working or not. Now our brake controller is already telling us that it has an error message. It is flashing an Er on top. Usually it means an internal problem. We tested our trailer so we know it is good. So, it is not that. So first off we will make sure we have a constant 12 volt power supply. We will check the black wire first. OK, we are good there. Now we will try our red wire for our brake signal. OK, that is good there. Now we will try our blue wire and that will be our output. So we should have output on this wire whenever we hit the foot brake or the manual override. OK, we get nothing on the foot brake and nothing on the manual override. So definitely the error is internal and this brake controller does have to be replaced.
Questions and Comments about this Video
Hello,I have Draw Tite brake contoller where the red led light starts flashing afterjust a few miles of braking and then goes out thus rendering the brakes inop.With the trailer disconnected the light works in conjuction with the bake pedelnormally. The brakes are in good shape all parts purchased at etrailer two yearsago ..everything new. Since it only starts acting up after a braking my thoughtis magnets ?Thank you in advance for any adviseDave
comment by: Dave B - 11/4/2012
Magnets could be the problem. You can pop the drum off axle and take a look at the magnets. If copper windings are visible on the magnets, they should be replaced. Without the trailer connected, you should see a single decimal point displayed on the screen indicating the the controller is active, but there is no trailer connected. If you are seeing numbers displayed, without a trailer connected, some how the controller thinks there is a trailer connected. That could mean the controller is bad, or something is going on with the wiring. If corrosion builds up in the trailer connectors, it can cause crossed signals.
Patrick B - 11/12/2012I am trying to test the electric trailer brakes on a trailer just acquired. The trailer has brakes but they were not wired up. The brakes only have two wires coming out of them. My truck has a brake controller. Without the trailer hooked up I read 12V between ground and the brake output at the connector. Activating the controller does not change this reading. 1. Is this as it should be without the trailer hooked up? 2. Do the two wires coming from the brakes have polarity. 3. Is there a way to check the brakes without hooking the trailer to the truck?ThanksNick
comment by: Nick M - 12/24/2012
There is no way to check if the brakes are properly working with out hooking up. The brakes should be adjusted so that there is a light, even drag on the drum when spinning the wheel by hand. Once the brakes are adjusted, then you can apply power with the truck to make sure the brakes activate. You can test the magnets and make sure they are proper. I have added a link to an FAQ on the matter. The brake magnets are not polarity sensitive. One wire is for ground, the other is to connect to the brake output circuit and it does not matter which. You should see 12-13 volts on the brake output circuit when activated with the gain or power on the controller turned all the way up or close to. With the brake controller un-activated, you should see no voltage on the brake circuit contact. Make sure you are testing the right pin. As you face the connector on the truck, the brake control output should be the pin in the 5 oclock position. The center pin is not brake, it is either reverse lights or a 12V auxiliary power circuit. I have included a link to a wiring FAQ that has diagrams of the common trailer connectors.
Patrick B - 12/28/2012The technician in this Visio used a wiring dignostic tool to pierce the outer wire covering which is light years in advancement as to user friendly compared to the standard ice pick with an embedded light to detect current that is sold by every automotive/ wiring company virtually the standard tool since batteries were added to cars. The small diagnostic tool used by your technician utilized a top hook and sliding point which allowed one hand operation to determine if power was indeed in the wires as necessary to properly run the appliance.I would like to purchase one of these tools - I think this one tool and the ease with which it was used to detect power flowing is one of the best ideas and concepts I have seen in years.Regards Don
comment by: Please p - 12/30/2012
We carry a few different circuit testers, but the one used in that video is our top end model. It is part 40376 and I have added a link to it below.
Patrick B - 12/31/2012Hi,I have a starcraft camper with electric brakes. I have been using this for sometime and the brakes are great. This week we took the camper out and you will push the brakes and the red light will come up on the controler and you will start to feel it braking and it will release will still braking. It then starts to light up again and when it gets to full again it releases. Any ideasThanks
comment by: Nick - 1/13/2013
I have added some links to the part and instructions. There is a trouble shooting guide in the instructions and I would start there. Also, your brake assemblies may need to be adjusted. Over time the shoes wear and need to be snugged up. The hub should be able to spin along the shoes when turned by hand, but there should be an even, light drag the whole way around.
Patrick B - 1/22/2013Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2004 Ford F-150
Today on this 2008 Chevrolet Silverado were going to install part number 39510. This is the Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller. Couple of things to know about this brake controller; first off, were working with an older version of it. The old version doesnt have the port on the end of the wires. Not to start off well go ahead and look for the two package wires underneath the dash of our truck. Well look up underneath there and we should see a blue wire, a red wire, a white wire, a light blue wire with stripes and an orange wire.
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2012 Ford F-150
Today on this 2012 Ford F150 were going to install part number 90185, the Prodigy brake controller. Were also going to use part number 22292 from Tekonsha. This is a Tow Ready plug in wiring adapter for electric brake controllers. First off well go ahead and locate the port for our adapter cord. Its underneath the dash right next to the diagnostic board. Well go ahead and cut the tape away from it and pull it loose.
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2004 Ford F-150
Today we are working on a 2004 Ford F-150. We are going to be installing the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller, part number 90885-3035P. Our first step in installing our brake controller will be locating the plug to plug our connection into on the manufacturer side. Here, up under the dash above the brake pedal, there is a gray plug that will match up perfectly with our wiring harness. Now that we have our wire harness connected to the manufacturer harness, we are going to go ahead and mount our brake controller. 0:36
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2001 Ford F-150
Today on this 2001 Ford F-150 we are going to install part number 90195-3035P. This kit will include the P3 brake controller and the adapter cord that will plug into the truck. Alright, we will start off with our adapter cord first. This is the end that will plug into the port. It is right next to the diagnostic port. And we just snap it into place. Alright, we have it plugged in. Let us go ahead and test the wires and make sure everything is working. Our black wire is going to be our 12 volt power supply. That is good. And red is going to be our stop light switch. OK, and white is going to be ground. And blue we have output to our trailer brakes so we do not have to test that. So it looks like our plug is good. 0:45
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2010 Ford F-150
Today on this 2010 Ford F-150 we are going to install a brake controller part number 90885 the Prodigy 2 brake controller. This F-150 has a factory tow package so our connector we are going to plug into is going to be behind the computer port here off towards the center. Maybe but a few inches away at the most. It is stuck into a cap right now so there is a little button that you want to push up and disconnect it. Plug the adapter cord into it and we are going to leave that alone for now. Next we will mount our brake controller to the bottom of the dash and we are going to locate it about right here and we are going to use this bracket that comes with the kit and basically we are going to pull it over to this screw right here and we will just use the screws that came with the kit and drill right into the plastic and it will be just fine. 00:50
Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
Instructions for 5500
