Why Are Trailer Brakes Not Working With 2012 Ford F-250

Updated 11/04/2019 | Published 11/02/2019

Question:

2012 ford f 250 towing 5th wheel keep getting wiring fault on dash and brakes do not work but all lights work . Have checked all wiring on 5th wheel . Can sometimes disconnect and reconnect 7 pin connector and will work for a time . Have read that ford has had some problems with this . I am thinking installing after market brake controller. Have you heard of this problem ?

asked by: David H

Expert Reply:

First, let's start with your trailer brakes not working, and there can be any number of potential issues, but from what you described, being able to disconnect and re-connect your 7-way to get the brakes working, it sounds like you may have corrosion on the brake controller output pin on your 7-way. I would check for this first to see if that may be the issue - the pin is in the 4 o'clock position of the 7-way. I have attached a help article on trailer wiring for you to check out as well which I recommend reading.

If that is the case you can replace your harness with the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness # 50-97-410; I have added a link to an installation video of this on a Ford for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S