Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Message on 2019 Ford F-150 with OEM-Style Brake Controller Installed

Updated 05/02/2024 | Published 05/01/2024

Question:

I have recently installed a OEM compatible, in dash brake controller, to my 2019 F-150 no tow package and a previous lease vehicle and updated the firmware using ForScan. No issues and I could see the brake gain when manually adjusting it. I then added the Curt T-Connector and 7 way to allow me to hook up my camper. This was super simple and I used dielectric on the connectors and secured everything with zip ties. I tested everything and never get a reading on the 12V, which seems to be common and may go away with a proper load on the circuit though maybe untestable. However, now as I drive down the road, with nothing connected to the 7 way, 90 of time when touch the brakes, I get a message on the dash telling me the brake gain setting and that trailer has disconnected. Both are correct but it does not seem like I should be getting this. My concern is that I never get the 12V, so the truck never thinks a trailer is connected, so my trailer brakes are not operating - very bad. I would also love to stopping getting the annoying message virtually every time I touch the brakes. Could the T-Connector wiring be bad? Maybe get a new one I attached a picture of the connector I unplugged. Should I be concerned that I only see 4 wires or is this what goes out to the 4 way flat?

asked by: Jeff C

Trailer Wiring Connectors on a 2019 Ford F-150
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Thanks for reaching out, Jeff!

While I'm not familiar with adding an OEM-style brake controller to a Ford pickup, since your 2019 F-150 didn't initially come with the factory tow package my instinct is to have you check fuse 24 for your brake controller and fuse 30 for the 12V power. The Curt T-Connector # C56413 will only present the circuits that are already powered up on your truck so if those fuses are missing then it would explain why those functions aren't present.

If your truck has a 4-Way flat and that plug with the 4 wires is on the output side then I wouldn't worry about just the 4 wires. I would be concerned if you only have 4 wires on the input side of the connectors.

expert reply by: Jon G