Engine of 1995 Ford F350 Stalls When Braking With Trailer Connected

Updated 03/16/2011 | Published 03/14/2011

Products Featured in This Question

12-10 Gauge Butt Connector

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$0.82

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.61

Question:

I have a DrawTite 5504 installed on a l995 Ford F-350 pickup with the 7.3 power stroke diesel engine. I pull a 2-axle bumper pull travel trailer and a 3-axle flatbed gooseneck trailer. The pickup came installed with the trailer pulling package and everything is connected correctly. Everything used to work fine, so the fault has developed since installation. When setting the intensity of the control sufficient to stop either trailer, it causes the engine to stall. No vacuum leaks are present on the pickup, and I believe that there is no fault in the brakes of either trailer. What gives? Could the brake controller be at fault?

asked by: John L

Expert Reply:

I have heard of the problem you're experiencing. Apparently, the tow package wire that carries the brake controller output has been routed too close to the wire that supplies power to the electric fuel pump. The fix is pretty simple.

You will need to run a different feed from the brake controller # 5504 back to the trailer connector. You will need some 10 gauge wire, like part # 10-1-1. Cut the blue wire exiting the rear of the controller, and using a butt connector (part # 05732-2) connect your length of wire to it. Run the wire through the firewall, over to the passenger side of the vehicle and along the passenger side frame rail to the trailer connector. At the rear of the trailer connector, disconnect the wire at the number 2 terminal, and attach the wire you ran from the brake controller.

Having the brake controller output wire separated from the circuit for the fuel pump should solve the problem.

expert reply by: Mike L