Troubleshooting Trailer Not Connected Fault Code on a 2000 F350 After Removing Factory Controller

Updated 12/09/2009 | Published 12/08/2009

Question:

I have a Hopkins brake control system that I just replaced in my 2000 F350 Diesel Super Duty Dually. I just bought the truck and it came with a braking system installed. I just removed the old control unit and replaced it with the new one. The old ones manual control didnt work. Both systems give an error message of E1 which, according to the manual means trailer is not connected. The trailer is indeed connected. Ive unplugged and replugged it many times, and still get the E1 message. The trailer has been towed by another vehicle, and the brakes worked fine in that vehicle. Do you have any suggestions? Were hoping to be leaving with our trailer tomorrow Wednesday Dec 9th, ASAP. So, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Kristen

Expert Reply:

You are getting the fault code because you removed the factory brake controller. The computer is looking for the factory brake controller. The fix is to have the dealer flash the power train control module (PCM). Once the PCM is flashed the computer will no longer look for the old factory controller and the factory fault code will not return. In the meantime your new controller should function properly.

If you have found that your new controller is not functioning, then you will need to test the brake output wire that goes back to the trailer connector on the truck. You should have power on this wire when the brake pedal is pressed and when the manual brake is activated on the brake controller.

Use a circuit tester, item # PTW2993 if needed, and check all of the wires going into the new brake controller. You should get power going into the controller on the black wire, power going into the brake controller from the red wire when the brake pedal is pressed, the white wire should be grounded, and the blue wire should be the brake output.

expert reply by: Robert G