I'm looking for some support in regards to the 2017 Integrated Brake Controller as I've spent hours searching this forum and have not found all the answers I'm looking for (specifically for a 2017). I recently purchased an F-150 XLT that did not come with the integrated brake controller. It was however wired behind the Coin Tray for the IBC so I've used that connector and have tried installing several controllers with issues every time. The first controller I wrote off as being a knock off Amazon unit which I was okay with but then I tried buying 'OEM' Controllers off of Ebay on 2 different occasions. As soon as I installed both Ebay controllers and hooked my trailer up to the truck, I started smelling burning coming from each controller, saw smoke coming out of them, and the trailer brakes completely locked up where I was unable to pull the trailer as the brakes were permanently engaged until I disconnected the trailer or the brake controller. Anytime I hit the brakes or the lever on the controller it would also say 'trailer disconnected' on the dash. The advertised part number for the Ebay controllers were JL3Z-2C006AA but the actual controllers came in a Ford box and have the FOMOCO logo with part number GL34-2C2006 written on them. Every Ebay controller I see that claims to be OEM has part number 'GL34-2C2006' written on the side and I cannot find any pictures of a true OEM to verify if this is even a valid Ford Part number. When I questioned the seller he told me they were OEM and seemed to be willing to work with me on them but I ran out of time and never send them back. I can't seem to find anything regarding this part number online.

I'm now ready to quit playing games and buy the OEM brake controller from the dealership which is $270+ tax. My biggest worry is that I plug in a $270 controller and there is something internally wrong with my truck and it fries up a true OEM controller like has already happened multiple times setting me back another $270. I've wondered about having Ford just install and program it, but they are quoting me an additional $250+ in labor plus I'm guessing they would charge additional if there are problems when they install the controller and they burn it up themselves??? I may plug in a new OEM controller and have it work perfectly fine but I want to dot all the i's and cross all the t's before doing so.

Before I go the route of purchasing and installing the OEM controller, I want to understand how the system works between the Trailer Control Module (TRM), Trailer Brake Controller (TBM), and the Body Control Modules (BCM), etc.. I have been unable to find electrical schematics directly for the 2017 F150. I think I've seen some for the 2016 and some for the 2018 but they don't seem to match up with the fuse and pin locations on the 2017 and the wiring seems to be different as well. Does anyone have a copy of the 2017 Service manual that would be willing to share some images of the schematics with me?

I've heard that sometimes the Trailer Control Module (TRM) goes bad and can cause some similar issues (assuming it's not a controller issue). Any thoughts on how to verify any issues with the TRM before I install a new controller?

I'm planning to check for any shorted wires going to the trailer connector at the back of the truck (thinking this could have caused the controller to maybe burn up). Hopefully schematics will help me to see where specifically the wires are coming from. Anything else you would recommend me checking?

I towed the trailer I've been connecting to my truck with a Duramax just a few days prior to connecting it to my Ford and didn't have any issues with braking or lights (or a controller burning up ) So feel somewhat confident that the trailer is not the issue.

Any other thoughts and ideas are appreciated!

 

I too made the mistake of getting a TBC from Amazon. It just killed my battery.

The one I got from rockauto.com has worked fine. $130 I think. I'd burn (pun intended) $130 and see if it works.

 

Same.
Still sour about $300 Odyssey battery that it killed. This was about 3 years ago, and not much info was available on these knockoff controllers.
It really should be a sticky, though suspect itll do very little swaying general public. Some people like to learn the hard way.