Troubleshooting Ford Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Problems

A Ford truck is a great tool for towing, especially things loaded onto trailers. It is not always easy however to tow a trailer as this can be tricky for those who are not experienced in doing so. There is also the consideration of what happens when you brake suddenly.

You could be towing something weighing several tons behind you and a sudden stop could cause issues if the trailing cargo doesn’t stop as well. This is where devices such as Ford's integrated trailer brake controllers come in handy.

In this post we will look more closely at this system and find out some ways we can troubleshoot common problems associated with the technology.

What Is the Ford Integrated Trailer Brake Controller?

A trailer brake controller is a device that can be original manufacturer installed or an aftermarket addition to vehicles that will be used for towing. Mounted to the dashboard these devices are connected to the trailer's electronic system and help control the braking in proportion to that of the towing vehicle.

This added level of control ensures that the weight of the trailer's momentum will not affect the braking ability of the towing vehicle. It helps prevent jackknifing and driving control issues. Ford Integrated system is part of models such as the 2022 Super Duty F-250 truck.

What Are the Common Ford Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Problems?

We live in an imperfect world and with all the best intentions companies will sometimes put out products that fall below standards. This means that from time to time systems will develop problems long before their time.

The Ford integrated trailer brake controller is no exception as there are some common issues that may arise within this system.

• Electric over hydraulic brake failure
• Fuses showing fail
• No trailer connection
• Brakes controller not working
• Brakes not engaging

Integrated Trailer Brake Control Failures

If you already have an understanding of using these types of brakes you know that they essentially regulate the power towards the electric braking system of a trailer from the towing vehicle. The power levels are what decides how hard to brake.

Until recently trailer braking systems were aftermarket units that were added to a vehicle to help it be more efficient in towing. These days however some trucks and SUVs are built with an integrated trailer brake controller as part of the original design.

These integrated units have the ability to detect the presence of a trailer and to activate both the brakes and lights which was not always the case with the old school non-integrated models.

Basically then integrated trailer brake controllers are a huge step forward from the way things used to be. But there are still issues with these systems and often with the technology being so new they can be tricky to diagnose and fix.

How Old School Trailer Brake Controllers Worked

The old system of trailer brake controllers was very rudimentary but in some cases it worked well. There were obvious issues however. These units were bolted into the towing vehicle and would use speed and brake pressure sensors to decide on how hard to engage the brakes of the trailer.

There was of course one stark problem with this type of controller. If you did not receive data on speed or the brake pressures then the trailer brakes would not function. The controller did not have the information it needed to assess how hard to initiate the trailer brakes.

Trailer Brake Controllers After 2005

It was in 2005 that manufacturers actually decided to include integrated trailer brake controllers. This would help to make the braking between the towing vehicle and trailer more seamless. These new systems had more complex diagnostic tools beyond speed and braking pressures.

The trailer braking system therefore would only activate if it detected a load being pulled. Sometimes however there might be a load but a fault occurred that did not allow the controller to realize this.

Automatic Limiting of Output Gain

There are several makes of vehicle using integrated trailer brake systems that will automatically limit the output gain if the vehicle is parked regardless of your controller settings. A technician could turn the output up to maximum and test the voltage at the connecting pin and be told there is a failure.

This would be a false failure though as the system is running a low voltage by design rather than a mechanical issue. It is therefore important to know if your truck is one such vehicle as you may get diagnosed with an issue where none actually exists.

Continuous Pulse Vehicles

Some towing type vehicles will actually send continuous discovery pulses to the trailer connection in search of a trailer. This can obviously be helpful but may also be a hindrance as well. A single discovery pulse would have the system content that there is a load which needs braking input.

When multiple pulses happen regularly one might mistakenly read that the trailer as being no longer connected. This could be disastrous at highway speeds if the braking controller decides the trailer has gone. It will cease to send braking instructions so a sudden stop can turn bad very quickly.

Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes (EOH) Operation Failure Issues

This is sadly a very common issue whereby Ford factory trailer brake controllers are not able to function with electric over hydraulic (EOH) braking systems. It depends on the model of the truck or van as some are fine but others simply can not function with EOH brakes.

There are adaptors available that may help remedy this issue to have the system work with your specific trailer. However this does not always work so sometimes it may just be more prudent to get a new aftermarket non-Ford trailer brake controller as a replacement.

It might be cheaper to replace the controller unit than to buy a new trailer. If you are buying a Ford truck to specifically tow then you should make sure that its integrated system can handle EOH if this is the type of trailer you have.

Trailer Lights Are Working But Brakes are Not

This is a common complaint with Ford integrated trailer brake controllers. The trailer's lights are receiving power and are illuminated but the brakes are not engaging. Ford F-350 owners may well have experienced this issue with their controllers.

The issue behind this may be a blown or defective fuse that means, although the lights work, the blown fuse is compromising the circuit that controls the braking system.

In order to diagnose this issue you will need access to a circuit tester. You will need to test wiring going in and out of the circuit from the brake controller unit. This should only be about four wires in total which are:

• Ground (White)
• Stoplight Switch (Red)
• 12V Constant Power (Black)
• Brake Feed to Trailer (Blue)

How to Perform the Test

• Locate the ground wire and ensure that it is clean and rust free.
• Connect the circuit tester to the ground wire and it will have an alligator clip to help you make this connection. Keep connected to the ground for the remaining steps
• Test the black 12V wire first and determine if there is a current flowing
• Next test the red spotlight switch wire to do this you will have to press the brake pedal
• Finally attach to the blue brake feed wire again you will need to press the brake to make the current flow.

Understanding the Results

The brake 12V wire and the spotlight wire should both show electric current flow when the brakes are activated. If this is the case then these are clearly not the problem

Next you should focus on the blue brake feed wire if it too is working fine then the issue could be the trailer brake controller itself. Just like any component these can wear out and you might simply have to replace the unit itself.

No Trailer Is Connected Error

This can be a nightmare to see, you’re out on the road just starting a big towing project and the display screen pops up that no trailer is detected. A glance in the rearview mirror would tend to disprove this statement from being the case so now you have a problem.

As far as the controller is concerned the trailer isn’t there so it isn’t giving it braking instructions. You need to pull over carefully and quickly to check out what the issues might be.

The first thing to do is make sure that all the plugs are securely fitted and clear of debris. It could be as simple as a plug not being fully connected or a piece of leaf blocking the current. Check that the lights are working as this should indicate that something is getting through

If you are still receiving the message despite these checks then something else may be wrong. You could try replacing the plugs in the junction box. This would take care of any faulty wires that might be causing the connection issue.

There may be an issue with the trailer tow module which is causing this disconnect. If this is the case you will likely need to visit a professional to help get this issue repaired.

Sometimes It’s a Software Issue

The more hi-tech our vehicles become the more frustrating they can be as well. There is a possibility that all wires, fuses and connections are all just fine. The problem might be something so mundane as being the controller needs a software update.

We all likely know that a phone can start to run oddly prior to a software update because some of its systems are becoming obsolete. This can be the case with an integrated trailer brake controller as well. So check if there is a need for a software update and if so initiate this. The problem could be solved in as long as the update takes.

Trailer Brakes Not Engaging

You may receive a notification that there is no reading being detected from you pressing the brakes. This is a problem because if the trailer isn’t being told you are braking it will not engage its own brakes. There are a few things you can try to remedy this issue.

• Locate the brake control module and confirm that it is operating correctly
• Clean the wire harness contacts to make sure that current can flow freely
• Test the trailer brake controllers passenger box. This powers things up and if it is not working it means the unit may have failed
• Check that all of the related fuses are in working order

It is important to note that the complicated 7-pin connector between truck and trailer may also be the issue. A broken pin or dirty connections can be the cause of blockage of power.

Conclusion

Integrated trailer brake controllers are sometimes temperamental and can be prone to a number of issues. Some can be fixed quickly with little fuss while others may require more complicated solutions.

If we wish to use our Ford trucks to tow large loads it is important to be able to control the trailer behind the truck. This means a good brake controller and solid connection to the trailer. Always make sure you have the right trailer for your unit and that it is in full working order.

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