Troubleshooting Tekonsha RF Brake Controller that Won't Pair  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hey Reid, both trucks you have are not known to have issues with the Tekonsha RF brake controller. Some German vehicles do have pairing issues but I've never heard of a GM truck especially of the generations you mentioned. I can give you the instructions for a difficult to pair RF though which should work as long as there isn't an internal problem:

First, If you do not see displayed what the instructions say just keep going through the steps. Sometimes, it will not display what it is supposed to but it will still work if you go through the steps to completion.

If that does not work then you can try taping off the pin in the 5 oclock position at the back of the RF (where the trailer plugs into) using electrical tape. Then go through the installation process.

If that doesn't work you may need a 7-Way to 7-Way adapter, # 20142, which will put more load on the system and could allow the RF to pair up properly.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Reid

6/24/2025

I tried to pair as per video instructions. Everything worked up and including countdown from P5 to P.A. I then push the brake but can't get 0.0. Eventually goes to n.c . I then connected trailer to power module and still n.c??? Don't understand why I can't get 0.0??

Jameson C.

6/24/2025

@Reid What vehicle do you have? Is it German by chance?

Reid

6/24/2025

This is followup to original question I had. 2008 GMC SIERRA

Jameson C.

6/24/2025

@Reid Sometimes the RF Brake Controller part # TK94FR will not read the 00 in the pairing process. We had a customer who had a similar problem who found a way for the pairing process to complete without ever seeing the 00. Here's exactly what he sent us. I found that my remote could proceed with the pairing if I turned the power knob FULLY CLOCKWISE, in place of doing step 7 (looking for a "0.0" reading). My unit never once displayed "0.0", yet it could pair with my trailer using this technique. This makes sense, because "0.0" can only be accomplished with the power knob FULLY turned until it stops, either one way or the other. You can consider suggesting to your customers that they try turning the power knobs FULLY in one direction (and ignore looking for a 0.0). If that does not work, repeat from step 1, but turn the knob FULLY in the opposite direction. They will know when they have it right because it will proceed to the following step 8 (Count down from "P.5" to "P.A") as described in the instructions. Modified instructions which worked for me: 1. Connect trailer to tow vehicle 2. Plug the Power Module 7-Way cable into the tow vehicle 3. The trailer 7-way must be disconnected from the power module 4. Start the vehicle engine, or sometimes you will only have to have the key on (try both since you are having problems) 5. Plug the remote hand held unit into an auxiliary power source within reach of you 6. Turn the power knob to the minimum position to where it is flashing 0.0. If remote continues to flash n.c. and not 0.0 then simply turn the power knob fully clockwise. 7. Fully depress and hold the manual override and the boost button, the display will run from P.5 to P.A, once it reaches P.A you can release the override and the boost button. If display does not count down, then repeat step 6, except that you must turn the power know fully counter-clockwise. 8.Press and hold the brake pedal until the display shows 0.0 flashing. If the remote continues to flash n.c. then proceed to step 9. 9. Set the power knob to greater than minimum, it should flash n.c. which means not connected 10. Re-connect the trailer 7-way to the power module, the display should read .c. (connected)