Troubleshooting a Brake Controller on a 2000 Ford F-350

Updated 12/18/2017 | Published 12/16/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Venturer NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Time Delayed

(97)

$76.94

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.61

LCD Digital Circuit Tester

(28)

$28.06

Question:

I have a Curt Venturer controller that worked fine in a 2015 f250 and i switched it to a 2000 f350 using the proper adapter but now it will not work. The green power light is on but when brakes are applied the green lights dont light up and the trailer brakes dont work. using the manual override on the controller doesnt work either. Could this be an issue with the controller itself or a wiring issue with the truck? There is no corrosion in either 7 pin plug on trailer or truck.

asked by: Nick

Expert Reply:

Since you had the Curt Venturer Trailer Brake Controller part # C74VV installed and working on your 2015 Ford F-250, the problem is more than likely on the 2000 Ford F-350 and not on the controller. Your 2000 Ford F-350 could have come with either a 4-flat or 7-way trailer connector for the factory. Both of the above options have the wires ran for the brake controller but if you had the factory 4-way connector then you would also need to install the correct fuses and relays for the brake controller like the ones included in the Ford Replacement OEM Tow Package Wiring Harness part # 118243.

To confirm that the problem is indeed on the vehicle and not with the controller you will want to sever the brake output wire on the controller about 6" from the controller and test this with the circuit tester like part # PTW2992. If the wire receives power while the manual override is activated, then the problem is on the vehicle and not on the brake controller.

Before you begin to trace the wires from the controller back to the 7-way trailer connector you will want to ensure that the brake output signal wire (usually blue) is attached to both the pigtail connector for the brake controller wiring harness and the 7-way trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle. If you can confirm that both connectors have the brake outwire wire plugged in, then you have a short somewhere in the wire and you will need to use a circuit tester to find the brake.

The easiest way to fix the above problem would be to run a new brake output signal wire from the controller to the trailer connector using part # 10-1-1.

expert reply by: Conner L