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Why Does Ford OEM Brake Controller Not Activate Trailer Brakes from Brake Pedal  

Updated 04/18/2019 | Published 04/17/2019



Question:

Hello, I have a brand new 2016 left over F350 XL and a new dual axle 20 ft trailer with electric brakes. The problem is the trailer brakes only work when squeezing the controller manually, and never work when pressing the brake pedal. The manual is very vague but it seems it should also work when braking with the truck pedal. Do I need a separate controller like what you sell to make these trailer brakes work correctly? Thanks!

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

If when you are driving the OEM trailer brake controller in your 2016 Ford truck only activates the trailer brakes when you apply the manual override lever then either the controller is damaged internally or it has lost its connection to the circuit that tells it you are pressing the brake. If you are totally still all proportional controllers will generate output ONLY with the manual control; this is normal behavior.

In hardwired aftermarket brake controller installations the controller's RED wire takes in this "brakes on" signal which is usually accessed at a wire at the brake light switch. Even with an aftermarket controller if this connection is lost, or if the RED controller wire is connected at the wrong place, the brake controller will only generate brake output power if the manual control is pressed.

Many owners ultimately replace their factory controllers with superior aftermarket models, simply because they work better, such as the Prodigy P3 # 90195 which installs with wiring adapter # 3034-P at the port under the dash. We also have the Curt Echo # C51180 which needs no wiring. All you need is a working 7-way connector with an active 12V power circuit and a smartphone to serve as display and controller. Plug the Echo into the truck 7-way, pair it to your smartphone and then plug the trailer into the Echo. That's it. The Echo can be easily moved to another vehicle and easily stored away safely when it is not in use, and there is nothing in the cab to bump your knees on.

I linked videos on the P3 and the Echo and I encourage you to consider the Echo for its easy installation and use.

expert reply by:
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Adam R

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