Will Ford F-150 Factory Integrated Brake Controller Operate Electric-Over-Hydraulic Disc Brake  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The factory-installed integrated brake controllers supplied in Ford trucks like your F-150 are sometimes not compatible with anything other than electric trailer brakes. If your F-150 is a 2009 or 2010 model year its integrated controller will not work with an electric-over-hydraulic actuator like the Dexter # K71-651 you referenced. The linked article explains in further detail.

Many of the better aftermarket brake controllers like the popular and reliable Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 will have a setting option; you can choose between electric or electric-over-hydraulic operation. The reason this setting matters is that standard electric brake controllers like your ITBC need to see the resistance from the trailer brake magnets in order to operate properly. An electric-over-hydraulic actuator does not present the same electrical load and the brake controller will not function properly unless it has a setting for such operation. Please see the linked video on the P3.

If your truck is among the model years affected then you will be better served by an aftermarket trailer brake controller like the P3 unit referenced above. The Prodigy P3 has a switch to allow proper operation with EOH actuators like the Dexter # K71-651.

If your truck is a 2010 for example, you can order the P3 along with the mating quick-connect harness, part # 22292, that allows easy plug-in installation to the under-dash port on your truck. Please do note that as indicated in the article the truck's instrument cluster will display a fault code that can be removed by a visit to your dealership.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

0