how to add factory TBC
03-17-2012, 02:53 AM
#22
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Okay, sorry to be gone for so long. I thought I'd be emailed if anyone had a response but I've never received any mail.
Anyway, after installing the 7 pin connector, which plugged right in and fit along all the same mounting points as the stock 4 pin connector, it was obvious that the blue trailer brake wire was not anywhere to be found in the trucks wire harness. The connector plugs match but the blue wire isn't in the factory harness. I chased wires all the way up to the cab from underneath to see if I could find it. I also searched all around the fuse box thinking that it might pop up there somewhere. The blue wire does exist on the TBC plug under the dash but it disappears somewhere up into a mesh of harnesses.
I called the Ford of Orange dealer and got a hold of a technician that does the factory TBC installations. As he was explaining where to look for the illusive blue wire somewhere under the right fender, I explained the my truck did not have a factory tow package. He immediately told me exactly what the instructions that came with the TBC said, "you can not use the factory TBC if your truck didn't come with the tow package." The hardware in the dash is not compatible. You must use an aftermarket unit.
So without delay I returned the factory $220 'in-dash' TBC and bought an aftermarket unit (TEKONSHA 90195 P3 BRAKE CONTROLLER, $110 ebay). The aftermarket controller also plugged right into the factory plug under the dash. Now all I had to do is connect the dots with the brake wire. I bought a 20 foot spool 14 gauge "blue" wire, spliced into the factory blue wire under the dash, ran it up an over the pedals and followed the parking brake cable out of the cab and along the factory harness back to the new 7 pin connector and spliced into that. Trailer brakes work great.
I must have talked to at least 6 people at the dealer. 5 thought it was not problem to install the factory TBC and only 1 guy knew it wouldn't work. I've even talked to some more Ford guys after the fact and they also didn't know that it wouldn't work. It makes me wonder.
On another note, I had my transmission's shifting reprogrammed. It was done to help smooth the up and down shifts between 1st & 2nd. It wasn't a "flash." It took about 45 minutes. As it was explained to me it sounded more like system restripe than a software update. It did make a difference.
Good luck to you all and keep on truckin.'
Anyway, after installing the 7 pin connector, which plugged right in and fit along all the same mounting points as the stock 4 pin connector, it was obvious that the blue trailer brake wire was not anywhere to be found in the trucks wire harness. The connector plugs match but the blue wire isn't in the factory harness. I chased wires all the way up to the cab from underneath to see if I could find it. I also searched all around the fuse box thinking that it might pop up there somewhere. The blue wire does exist on the TBC plug under the dash but it disappears somewhere up into a mesh of harnesses.
I called the Ford of Orange dealer and got a hold of a technician that does the factory TBC installations. As he was explaining where to look for the illusive blue wire somewhere under the right fender, I explained the my truck did not have a factory tow package. He immediately told me exactly what the instructions that came with the TBC said, "you can not use the factory TBC if your truck didn't come with the tow package." The hardware in the dash is not compatible. You must use an aftermarket unit.
So without delay I returned the factory $220 'in-dash' TBC and bought an aftermarket unit (TEKONSHA 90195 P3 BRAKE CONTROLLER, $110 ebay). The aftermarket controller also plugged right into the factory plug under the dash. Now all I had to do is connect the dots with the brake wire. I bought a 20 foot spool 14 gauge "blue" wire, spliced into the factory blue wire under the dash, ran it up an over the pedals and followed the parking brake cable out of the cab and along the factory harness back to the new 7 pin connector and spliced into that. Trailer brakes work great.
I must have talked to at least 6 people at the dealer. 5 thought it was not problem to install the factory TBC and only 1 guy knew it wouldn't work. I've even talked to some more Ford guys after the fact and they also didn't know that it wouldn't work. It makes me wonder.
On another note, I had my transmission's shifting reprogrammed. It was done to help smooth the up and down shifts between 1st & 2nd. It wasn't a "flash." It took about 45 minutes. As it was explained to me it sounded more like system restripe than a software update. It did make a difference.
Good luck to you all and keep on truckin.'
03-17-2012, 01:06 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
"you can not use the factory TBC if your truck didn't come with the tow package." The hardware in the dash is not compatible. You must use an aftermarket unit.
I must have talked to at least 6 people at the dealer. 5 thought it was not problem to install the factory TBC and only 1 guy knew it wouldn't work. I've even talked to some more Ford guys after the fact and they also didn't know that it wouldn't work. It makes me wonder.'
I must have talked to at least 6 people at the dealer. 5 thought it was not problem to install the factory TBC and only 1 guy knew it wouldn't work. I've even talked to some more Ford guys after the fact and they also didn't know that it wouldn't work. It makes me wonder.'
not trying to sound down on you i just don't get it i guess
but hey keep on trucken dude
07-21-2012, 06:29 AM
#24
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sooke, British Columbia
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I did mine a few weeks ago when I bought my "new used" 2009 Lariat. It was pretty much the only option it didn't come with that I needed. I ordered the TBC from Tasca, and put it in. Took 10 minutes. I had to swing by the dealership (Seabreeze Ford in Belmar, NJ) to order a few other things, but while I was there I asked the service guy if he had time to flash my ecu to activate the TBC. He looked at me like I had two heads, and told me the TBC was plug-and-play. I was fairly certain he was mistaken, but wanting to be sure I came back home and did some more research on this forum. I called back, made an appointment, and showed up that friday. He remembered me, and asked to walk outside and take a look at the TBC I installed. When he saw the TBC, he then said that as far as he was aware it didn't need any further programming. I then handed him the service tech instructions that I got from this forum. He looked at it, smiled, and said "well alright then. Let's get this thing turned on!" I was nervous about how he would take me handing him something he probably should have known, but I can tell you he took it like a true gentleman. He told me that since they were a smaller dealership they rarely encounter someone ordering and installing their own factory TBC. They usually order and install the part themselves at the dealership, so he would have never known what else the tech does. He was so interested that he grabbed his Panasonic Tough Book laptop and went out to the bay and watched how the tech did it. Said it went exactly as the instructions on the service bulletin said. He charged me a half hour of labor which came out to $54. I was happy, he was happy. I have to say that I was more happy with the way things went with his attitude. It is very convenient for me to use that dealership, and I know he will remember me in the future. It could have easily turned into a pissing contest, but I'm glad it didn't. He was a man about it, and I didn't have an I-told-you-so attitude towards him. We both win.
Last edited by Buzam; 07-21-2012 at 07:19 AM.
07-29-2012, 07:21 PM
#25
TBC question
I just picked up a '11 FX4 offroad with 25K km's on it from a used dealer shop. Beautiful machine! the brake controlle seems to be there but when I hook up my trailer it shows nothing, no trailer connected... if I push the + and - absolutely nothing happens... I verified the fuse and relay they seem to be there so im wondering what it could be... Ill be bringing it to a Ford dealer this week.
EG
EG
07-30-2012, 03:10 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just picked up a '11 FX4 offroad with 25K km's on it from a used dealer shop. Beautiful machine! the brake controlle seems to be there but when I hook up my trailer it shows nothing, no trailer connected... if I push the + and - absolutely nothing happens... I verified the fuse and relay they seem to be there so im wondering what it could be... Ill be bringing it to a Ford dealer this week.
EG
EG
07-30-2012, 08:55 PM
#27
07-30-2012, 09:40 PM
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
04-11-2013, 01:49 PM
#29
I'm about to install one in my '12 F150. Looking at the fuse panel, My truck already has the 30 amp fuse needed. The owners manual doesn't show a relay. Anyone know what # it would be in the fuse block? I aasume since the fuse is there the relay is also...
My dealer will zap it for 50 bones.
This thread was real helpful!!
My dealer will zap it for 50 bones.
This thread was real helpful!!