Trailer Brake Controller Issue
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11497
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 10:07pm
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Topic: Trailer Brake Controller Issue
Posted By: PodWa
Subject: Trailer Brake Controller Issue
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:50pm
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So, here is the story. We have a 2017 RP-179 HRE. Our TV is a 2017 Ram 1500 pickup equipped with a built-in trailer brake controller from the factory. Everything worked great until our last trip. We hooked up the trailer as usual and checked the trailer brakes before departing and all was well. We stopped at a rest area about 70 miles down the road. As I reentered the Interstate, I noticed a message on the dash display stating the trailer was disconnected. I stopped at the next safe place and found all physical connections were good, trailer lights worked properly, but the trailer brake controller would not sense the presence of the trailer. After fooling around for about 20 minutes connecting and disconnecting the cable to the trailer and turning the vehicle on and off the trailer brake controller indicated that the trailer was connected. The trailer brakes worked properly. All was well until we stopped again and turned off the vehicle. When we restarted, the dash display again indicated that the trailer was disconnected. We repeated the cable connect/disconnect procedure until the display indicated the trailer was connected. Without turning off the vehicle again we proceeded to a branch of the dealership that sold us the trailer. The service manager was quite helpful. He placed a tester on the trailer connection and confirmed that the trailer brakes and lights worked properly. He connected my TV to another trailer on the lot and the trailer brake connection worked properly. He then connected my R-Pod to his personal vehicle and his trailer brake controller worked properly. So everything works OK except my TV and RP-179 won't work with each other.  Since it was almost close of business, we made an appointment to return after the weekend and have further troubleshooting accomplished on the way home.On Monday morning we hitched up the R-Pod. The trailer brake controller worked perfectly. I tried everything I could think of to make the connection fail, but after about 15 tries shutting the vehicle off, disconnecting and reconnecting the cable connection I could not recreate the problem. Considering that it would be tough for the dealer to troubleshoot a working system, we decided to proceed home and I cancelled the appointment. Everything worked well until we stopped for gas. When we restarted, you guessed it, the "trailer disconnected" message appeared again. Nothing we tried could convince my TV that a trailer was connected. Since we were very close to home, we moved on. Just as I pulled into my driveway, the message "trailer connected" appeared. So, today I took my TV to the Ram dealership. The service manager said that no codes showed in the computer. They hooked their special tester to the system and drove around for about 17 miles without a problem. They tried everthing to make the system fail, but could not. I drove my TV back to our house and connected my R-Pod..."trailer disconnected!" The next trip will be to my RV dealer to have the trailer electrics gone through. Additional info...during the first week of March, we had the wheel bearings packed and seals replaced. Since the old seals were leaking, the dealer replaced both backing plates. I am wondering if there is some difference with the trailer brake magnets or backing plate wiring that might cause my TV to no longer recognize my trailer. Any of you experienced RV honchos have experience with this?
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Replies:
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 9:14am
| Is there any damage to the wiring insulation? Are the connectors in the plug tight? Any spider webs in the plug on both the trailer and truck? |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 9:35am
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I would think that the problem is not with the trailer or necessarily the wiring. It seems the issue is that whatever your TV uses to "sense"the existence of the trailer is at fault. If there is any way to adjust the sensitivity, or maybe just flip a switch to tell your Ram that the trailer is connected, that could be an approach. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:14am
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I agree with GlueGuy, the problem is more likely in the truck. There is probably a small circuit board in the brake controller that has a crack or something in a solder trace/line or some other conductor/connection that opens and closed, thus, having intermittent continuity. For you, it is a safety issue b/c if the trailer is not sensed by the controller while driving, you are going to find yourself with much less braking capacity. It would behoove the Dodge dealer to replace the controller and check all the wiring for a faulty connection. Turning the motor off/on, thus energizing the truck's brake controller, seems, from what you describe, to be related to the failure. That sure points to the truck. That they can't duplicate the problem is normal with intermittent problems, but if their is a fault and something awful happens, they're on the hook for a defective system. It's cheaper to replace it than defend the resulting lawsuit. It sounds like you've already checked the trailer system and it's working fine. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 4:07pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 4:49pm
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I think the issue is in the trailer. Especially in light of work done to hubs. Brake controllers send a small amount of voltage along the brake output wire (blue wire), if a trailer is connected, the magnets in the brake assemblies will create a power draw. This power draw tells the controller that a trailer is connected. Aftermarket and OEM are the same in function. I think you are right to take to RV dealer. Let us know, PLZ.
------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 7:22pm
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A likely cause is corrosion. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of green patina on the contacts in the Bargman and/or the trailer connector. Scraping with a thin knife blade or maybe just a squirt or two of dielectric grease or WD-40 and working the plug int and out of the socket a few times. It good be any of the things others have mentioned, but I'd sure start with the simple stuff first. If it's working now I think you should check/clean/grease the contacts and wait to see if this happens again before doing anything else. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 7:32pm
+1 I agree with Mike. Think, what was the last thing done to the trailer before this problem developed. Don't reinvent the wheel but take the camper to where you had the hub seals replaced and re-greased and check them out because something is not right in the brake assembly as Mike suggested. If you want to double up, then go ahead and see if you can get your truck dealer service department to order you a new control board to replace your present one under warranty but I have my doubts on that causing your problem. Let us know how it goes? ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 8:11pm
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Here's a concept. Put an adapter on the trailer and plug it into the 4-pin on your truck. If I did that, the truck would announce "Trailer Connected". Nothing to do with the brakes.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 8:12pm
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We had this happen with our new F-150. It ended up not being the break controller or any of the TV part. It ended up being a partially broke brake wire on the pod. It either caught a rock or something and didn't totally break but at different times it would cut out and show that the brake controller would not recognize the camper breaks. After several visits, two new break controllers and a couple other parts one of the mechanics had me bring the trailer in, he checked the wire by the pods rear tires and found one was cracked/partially broken, fixed that and voila, worked perfect. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 8:24pm
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GlueGuy,
That concept may work fine for a Ford system that senses a light connection, for those of us without that, the blue wire the brake controller tells you when a trailer is connected and monitors power draw of the brake. Granted not familiar with Dodge, but my Chevy could care less about a flat 4 with no brake controller input. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 8:28pm
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Not sure about that stuff but we had the same problem and went through 6 visits, etc and that was what finally fixed it, and it has worked ever since. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:25pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 5:47am
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We'll see when he finishes with trailer check. I can't imagine what a brake controller circuit would use if it didn't monitor brakes. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 8:43am
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We had the same results they checked the computer to make sure it was programed right, check all the lights, checked all the wiring replaced the factory in dash brake controller twice with brand new ones, replaced the pigtails under the truck twice, we replaced the 7 pin connector, checked everything 4 different mechanic could think of, brought the pod into the ford dealership twice on the second time, they found crack/break in one of the trailer brake wires. said something about may a rock or something hit it and didn't break it all the way then with hitting a pothole or something along the interstate it finally went. it would do an alert saying trailer disconnected, would stop and check and the 7 pin connector was connected, the lights worked the directionals worked but the trailer brake would not work. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 9:21am
| Thanks for all the helpful information. I needed some ideas to point me in the right direction. We are working on this and will have the trailer checked out at the dealer's service center next week. I have heard of others with similar problems, and there does not seem to be a common cause. I'm betting that this has something to do with the backing plates that were replaced earlier. I will keep you all informed of what we find. |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 9:24am
When we added the TBC, in addition to sensing the existence of a trailer, it also knew there was a brake circuit. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 10:37am
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Why would a four pin connector need to interact with the TV. I have never noticed my F150 indicate anything when I pull my boat. When I have the Pod behind if not connected it tells me if I manually try to apply the trailer brakes. unless I initiate an action there is no response from the truck.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 11:02am
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 2:35pm
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Quote from OP: As I reentered the Interstate, I noticed a message on the dash display stating the trailer was disconnected. I stopped at the next safe place and found all physical connections were good, trailer lights worked properly, but the trailer brake controller would not sense the presence of the trailer.
So bottom line is he has no light problem, he has a TBC issue. And the TBC uses the blue Brake Control signal right to the trailer magnetic brakes to see if there is a power draw, which indicates the brakes are at least receiving a control signal. The blue wire into the brake backing plates. Some trucks know when the lights are connected but they also know when the electronic brake is too, they have too when a braked trailer is being pulled. Two different circuits. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 3:31pm
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The newer F-150s may have another wrinkle. Was just talking to someone with another fairly new F-150. He has a utility trailer without brakes. It not only could tell a trailer was connected, but it also knew it had a bad tail light AND which one. So even though a light was burned out, AND there was not trailer brakes, it still knew there was a trailer there. Maybe the Ram is just simpler? ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 3:38pm
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My F-150 is like that, I also have a utility trailer that has no brakes and a 4 pin plug. Last time I plugged it in to use it, it told me I had a tail light out, checked and it was right. Changed the bulb and all was set. The Ford mechanic was talking about the wire being broke and the truck realizing when I applied the breaks that it was saying it was disconnected because of the break in the pods break wire breaking some circuit. But when he fixed the wire it worked perfect. When we got the truck, we did have to go through a couple of thing where we programed in and named each trailer. When we plug in the trailer the truck know which one it is. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 3:39pm
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Then it automatically applies the setting for that particular trailer. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 3:47pm
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That's good my friend but has nothing to do with the TBC. The TBC has one wire control. My Chevy will not tell me when a 4 pole trailer is connected but will show in the turn signals if a trailer tail light is not functioning. Sure new trucks have better light technology, granted. The TBC looks for a load on the one wire associated with brakes and uses that load sense to determine a trailer connection - ONLY FOR THE TBC. It is designed to NOT be associated with lights and is a safety factor. I can send you pics of how your Pod is wired and connected or you can do it yourself, just find a 7 pin flat standard RV connection diagram, you will see one wire is used from the TBC to the wheel backing plate. It doesn't matter about light technology the vehicle system has to work with the existing RV technology, end of the day the RV brakes have nothing to do with lights and the RV lights have nothing to do with brakes. I can have a disconnected TT plug and energize the brakes with a jumper and not have a single lit light. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 3:54pm
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LEO,
You are spot on, your truck has a light circuit that assists with light issues. Has nothing to do with your TBC and your brake problem, two different issues. The TBC operates independently from lights, has to. Each TBC is set up by vehicle, same with aftermarket TBCs not embedded like yours. The OP of this message has a TBC issue and the most likely culprit is wiring in or around one or both TT hubs. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 4:02pm
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I think we are saying the same thing. I agree that lights have nothing to do with the brakes. Whatever wire that was busted didn't effect the lights. But when we applied the brake or used the TBC it would tell us the trailer was disconnected and the trailer brake wouldn't engage. All the trailer lights worked perfectly the whole time. Our issue was the truck not recognizing the pods brakes. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 4:08pm
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Thanks LEO - the lights have zilch to do with brakes. The OP said he has a TBC issue - his lights work fine. The dealer said his truck is good. Easy to check, brake controller voltage on one wire. He has an intermittent trailer problem. Doesn't matter what year truck or make - brake control circuits are standard. Have to be. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 4:43pm
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Maybe 'm not being clear. The truck is saying "Trailer not Connected" (that may be paraphrasing). That is one issue. It's separate from the trailer brakes not working. HOWEVER. If the truck thinks that there is no trailer connected, it may be that it has decided that there is nothing there, so has not enabled the trailer brake. What I am trying to say, and seem to be failing miserably at, is that it may be just that the truck is not sensing the trailer (as in through the lights), and therefore it is not turning on the power to the brakes. You guys may be right that the Ram senses the trailer via the TBC circuit (I know that our Ford does not do it this way). So what I'm trying to suggest is that the sensing of the trailer and the operation (or not) of the trailer brakes are potentially two different issues. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 4:58pm
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No - Glueguy, one last time - lights and brakes have nothing to do with each other the TBC senses the trailer thru the TBC control signal and works independently from the lights. Either or both can detect a trailer, only one effects what the OP describes and adding lights just confused the issue. The OP has a brake issue and trailer not connected, which is part of the TBC circuitry. The TBC circuit in your Ford does it too, just like LEOs did. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 May 2018 at 5:32pm
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BTW - here how tow command works on a Ford: The optional factory in-dash installed Ford Motor Company "TowCommand" integrated TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) system available and compatible on the heavy duty commercial Ford Super Duty line of trucks starting with the 2005 models. TowCommand has since been added to the full-size Ford F-150 pickup and the full-size Ford Expedition SUV. It is built and engineered jointly with Tekonsha who are known for their Prodigy TBC.
With adjustable +/- trailer braking gain in a digital readout from 0.0 (no trailer brakes) to 10.0 (full trailer braking) in 0.5 increments and a manual override lever (to test trailer braking action), the Ford 'built into the dash' TBC provides smooth braking even when pulling up to a 15,000 lb 4-axle conventional (receiver mounted) or 26,000 lb 4-axle 5th Wheel (bed/frame mounted) trailer. TowCommand being different from most aftermarket TBCs, ties into the trucks' computer and hydraulics, so it senses truck brake pressure and can apply trailer brakes as fast as the truck's brakes. Master Brake Systems 'BrakeSmart' TBC is the only other TBC that taps into the trucks hydraulic lines in modern trucks. The TowCommand TBC is made of three major components; the in-dash TBC module, a TowCommand master cylinder with a brake pressure transducer, and an activated PCM (Powertrain Control Module) parameter by a Ford dealer's NGS or WDS programming method. All 2005 and newer Ford Super Duty trucks are pre-wired for the TBC from the factory, no matter if the TBC option was ordered and installed at the time of the trucks assembly or not. Before ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) came to trucks in the 1980s, most TBCs were activated by the trucks' brake hydraulic action. In an emergency situation with the trucks ABS activated, Ford's TowCommand can automatically reduce the trailer brake pressure (gain) as it communicates with the truck's computer for faster reaction time with proportional trailer brake control, to prevent the trailer brakes from locking up even though trailers do not have ABS sensors. TowCommand will also inform the driver with an audible alarm and in the digital readout if the trailer wires and/or trailer disconnects from the truck. Next to the TowCommand is an empty storage tray or the $85 optional 4 AUX (auxiliary) toggle switches for winches, snow plow, off-road lights, etc. The only disadvantage, unlike aftermarket TBCs, is that it cannot be transferred from one truck to another. Another advantage, unlike aftermarket TBCs, any Ford service center can have it serviced. The TowCommand is covered by the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty as long as it is not discovered to be an actual trailer problem. The TowCommand has only been verified to be compatible with trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles) and not hydraulic surge or electric- From what I can ascertain - major complaint is the Towing App- and visible readout on dash doesn't show a brake failure versus a light failure. The APP provides basic connection info. From above it expalains that alrm sounds if a connection fail happens, but doesn't relate to brake failure. The TBC knows the system has issues but the app relays only electrical info. Interesting etrailer.com has article about Ford owners adding after market TBC because they want a trailer brake monitoring system, not an electrical system monitor. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 May 2018 at 8:56am
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Glueguy - I appreciate this discussion and apologize for being over zealous. It won't happen again. I was wondering if we can do a little test with your F150? If your trailer is not connected and you go into your "Towing Status" and get the screen where the gain readout is on the left hand side - Do you get a display that says "No Trailer Detected"? I realize this is completely different than the Trailer Disconnected in other displays. If you were to connect a trailer I think the display will change and you will get the gain readouts as set. The "No Trailer Detected" is a standard, especially for Tekonsha designed TBCs, which I believe Ford is. Thanks. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 2:46pm
I did these tests.
So the "Trailer disconnected" message comes in 3 different cases, 2 of which are when I am manually squeezing the trailer brake. The other "Trailer disconnected" message when there is no trailer actually connected. I could not simulate the broken tail light situation, but when we pulled the 4-pin from the connector and stepped on the brake I got a message about a malfunctioning tail light. Just a side note. Some of the above required me to cycle the ignition. The truck appears to re-assess the trailer status after the ignition has been turned off/on. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 2:51pm
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Thanks Glueguy, appreciate the info. That system for a Ford I think is very informative. Not only tells you when there is a electrical connect or light issue, but also when the trailer brake circuit is working. Learned something from this. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 07 May 2018 at 2:02pm
| TRAILER BRAKE PROBLEM RESOLVED! There was a bad electrical connection at the driver's side backing plate. The technician replaced the crimp-on connectors at that location and now everything works perfectly. As I suspected, this problem was related to the backing plate replacement done a few weeks before our last trip, and the repair was at no cost to me. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 May 2018 at 3:36pm
Wow! That was not something easy to find as it would have looked just fine visibly. You got a good technician to figure that one out. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 May 2018 at 4:30pm
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I'll be darn PodWa. Appreciate the response. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 07 May 2018 at 7:22pm
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When the problem started I visually checked the connectors that the technician replaced and they looked good and seemed to be firmly crimped. There must have been some internal fault that i could not see. I am fairly proficient in electronics, but I don't know much about trailer brake systems and don't have a wiring diagram of the R-Pod 179, so my ability to troubleshoot the system was limited. It only took the technician about 20 minutes to find and correct the problem, and he traced everything front to back. I am extremely grateful that the fix was so easy. We were in and out of the shop in about 45 minutes. I have to give kudos to Blue Dog RV in Post Falls, Idaho, and their facility in Fife, WA. Both were very polite, helpful, and actually listened to my description of the problem before jumping to expensive conclusions. There are lots of complaints on this forum about bad service at selling R-Pod dealers, but this is certainly not one of them. Happy camper here!
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 07 May 2018 at 7:31pm
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Good to hear the problem has been fixed!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 08 May 2018 at 10:21am
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Me too, Leo! It seems my problem was similar to yours, but mine was created during the backing plate replacement. You got it right, and now I know where to look if this happens again. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 08 May 2018 at 10:42am
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One thing I found helpful is making a 1/4" spade jumper wire. If your TT battery is connected you can take your 7 pin plug (trailer side), looking directly at it, with the alignment lug in 12 o'clock position. At 11 there is 12 Volts. Using your jumper you can jumper that 12 volts around the plug to test 12 volt circuits. At the 5 position is ground, don't jumper to there. So the brake issue for example: You can jumper 12v at 11 to the blue brake control at 7. You could then go back to axle and test blue wire that controls brakes. Or even check the 12V is getting to that brake. I carry that pin diagram with me and the jumper, without a TV I can check the running and tail lights, the brake lights and turn signals my add on reverse lights etc. Just with one jumper. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 08 May 2018 at 12:29pm
| Great idea, Mike! |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:23pm
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Good, male spades. You said you have electric knowledge, so sure you understand. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:27pm
| Yep! Got it. The contacts inside the TT side plug are like clips that grasp the contacts inside the connector on the TV. |
Posted By: Pushing70
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 10:29am
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I understand brake controllers sense connection by resistance of the brake wire to ground in the range of 3 to 10 ohms. One may test the truck by clipping a resistor in that range between the brake contact on the connector and chassis ground. If controller is still showing no connection, then troubleshoot the truck wiring continuity from the connector brake wire to the controller. You can test the trailer by checking the resistance between the brake contact on the trailer connector and chassis ground. If resistance is not in the range above, then troubleshoot the trailer wiring continuity from the connector to the brake coils. Easy-Peazy! ------------- 73 Ely |
Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 1:22pm
| Thanks, 70. I figured that the brake controller must be looking for resistance or current draw, but didn't know what resistance or amperage the controller found satisfactory. Now I know it senses resistance of 3 to 10 ohms. I think that, with the bad connection on one backing plate, my brake controller was seeing a resistance through the other backing plate that was close to the minimum resistance the controller wanted to see. Therefore, I could get a connection sometimes (after numerous tries to hook up) when the brake controller was fooled into thinking all was OK. Good info. |