Troubleshooting Malfunctioning Integrated Brake Controller on a 2006 Ford Truck
Question:
My truck has the factory integrated brake controller. Works fine if I manually apply brakes but I get no brakes from the brake pedal. Test lite shows power to 5 oclock pin with manual activation but no power with pedal acivation. Took it to dealer. After 5 hours they concluded that there was nothing wrong with the controller and suggested I change the 7 pin connector plug on the truck????? Have you seen this before?
asked by: john b
Expert Reply:
The early integrated brake controllers, like on your 2006 model, were buggy and had a lot of problems. Most of our customers end up disconnecting them and installing a traditional brake controller. This will require a computer re-flash at your dealership. If not, the truck computer will still look for the factory brake controller and you will have a check engine light. It is not the 7-Way on your truck. If the 7-Way was the problem, you would not get voltage at the 5:00 pin when you manually activate the controller.
If you want to continue to try to use the integrated brake controller you need to check the stop light switch on the brake pedal. There is a wire that runs from this switch to the brake pedal that tells the brake controller that you are braking. If you have signal on this wire when you apply brake pedal, that means there is something wrong with the brake controller. This is most likely what is happening in your case. We highly recommend using an aftermarket brake controller in this case. The Ford replacement brake controllers often have the same problems that the OEM ones did for the 2005 and 2006 trucks.
If the wire on the switch does not go hot, then the switch may be the problem and just needs to be replaced.
We have not seen any problems with 2007 or newer Ford trucks with integrated brake controllers. Most of our 2005-2006 guys have purchased aftermarket brake controllers and have been very pleased. They usually choose either the Tekonsha P2, part # 90885 or the Tekonsha P3 part # 90195. To install either of these you will also need the Ford specific brake control wiring harness # 3065-P.
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
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