No Power to Trailer Brakes when Connected to 2003 Ford F-350

Updated 08/09/2016 | Published 08/08/2016

Question:

I have a 2003 Ford F350 superduty pick up truck. The abs light came on years ago and It was going to cost to fix so I drive it the way it is . I have determined that the brake controller is working with the blue wire unhooked by the controller but no power is getting to my trailer connecter. Is it because my abs is not working and the signal is somehow being blocked to my trailer plug? If so, can I run a new blue wire to my plug and disconnect the old one? Thanks

asked by: Bill F

Expert Reply:

The blue wire on a brake controller is output to the trailer brakes. If that wire is not connected the trailer brakes will not be getting any power. If there is a break in that wire somewhere between the controller and the trailer connector then that could be why it isn't working when the wire is connected. You could bypass it by running your own wire if you wanted to.

The ABS system should be separate from the wiring for the brake controller. Usually the only time the ABS comes into play is if the brake controller red wire is attached to the wrong circuit on the vehicle. But on your 2003 Ford F-350 there is a brake controller port you can plug right into (depending on which brake controller you have).

I have also included some links on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H