P3 Brake Controller Shows No Trailer Connected with Trailer Connected on 2013 Ford Escape

Updated 08/04/2014 | Published 08/02/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs

(203)

$97.90

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3561)

$120.33

Question:

Last year my wife bought a 2013 Ford Escape with the factory tow package. Their tow package only comes with a 4 pin flat connector, but I wanted to haul a lightweight fiberglass travel trailer with it, and need brakes. I took my time with the install, hid the blue and black wires running up the passenger side of the car and into the engine compartment through a grommet on the drivers side. I hooked up both circuit breakers, and wired them into my battery. But I still cant get the brake controller a Tekonsha P3 to see the trailer. Everything else works but brakes. I hooked the controller plug to the purple wire with the white stripe at the brake pedal, and have checked all my connections a number of times. I tow this same trailer with my F150 with no problems, so know its not the trailer side. Is there any way to independently test the blue especially and black wires that run up front? I am at a complete loss, and would very much appreciate any and all advice and suggestions. I have a 12V tester and a multimeter. Thanks!

asked by: Frank A

Helpful Expert Reply:

You can test to see if there is power on that blue wire. You will need someone to sit in the 2013 Ford Escape and apply the manual override on the brake controller full. Then, using your meter or circuit tester, test the pin on the 7-Way in the 5 oclock position. If it shows power at the connector then everything is fine on the vehicle side.

You might want to check the trailer side connector because dirt and corrosion could be the problem. Make sure that the connector is clean inside and out.

Let's also make sure that the connections are correct on the # ETBC7 installation. The blue wire will connect to the blue wire on the brake controller. Black is the 12 volt circuit and wouldn't be necessary to check but it goes to the positive battery terminal via the 40 amp circuit breaker. Make sure that the wiring from the positive battery terminal is attached to the BAT post on the circuit breakers.

Purple on the # ETBC7 is for reverse lights. White is the ground. If the unit is not properly grounded to a clean and corrosion free bare metal surface it will not function properly.

The black wire on the controller goes to the positive battery terminal via the 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker. White is ground and needs to go to the negative battery terminal. Blue is out to the trailer brakes and red is input from the brake switch.

You may also need to adjust the power settings on the controller because if set too low that could be the problem. I have included some additional links on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you as well.