Hi, new to the forum and first post here. I tried the search function, but couldn't find an answer to my specific question. I recently bought a new F-150 SuperCab with a 5.0. It came with a towing package, but no trailer brake controller. I purchased a Ford OEM TBC from eBay (Fairway Ford) and installed it myself. I took it to the dealer yesterday to activate it in the ECU, but haven't had a chance to hook up to my trailer yet. I've noticed there's no display at all when pressing either of the gain buttons or squeezing the brake levers. Is this normal without a trailer connected? I have 2015 Yukon with a factory installed TBC and I get a display from it regardless of whether or not a trailer is connected. I just reconfirmed it's connected properly and the lights work, but nothing else. Any info. is most appreciated.

 

I believe mine gives a warning 'no trailer connected' or something like that.

 

Hey Mikey, new to the forum too. To answer your question though, I bought used '13 F150 STX w/o TBC. I did the same thing you did. If you try activating/sqeezing the brake control w/o trailer, it comes up on instrument cluster "no trailer connected". Good luck.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! I've tried squeezing the levers, but no luck. I just watched a video that leads me to believe I may have to hook up / set up my trailer before I get any kind of a gain display. My son has a 15 F-350 and if he squeezes the levers he gets the "no trailer connected" display, but he's towed our trailer several times already.

 

Welcome to the forum. You should be able to see what your gain is set at in the trailer tab on you productivity screen. As you can see I set the gain just by using the +\- button. Me is factory installed with Max trailer tow pkg. good luck.

 

The TBC enable process for the 2016 F150 is slightly different than the 2015. Unfortunately not all dealer techs follow the procedures completely and miss the step I have highlighted in red. This may be your issue - not sure


SSM 45574

Effective Jan 7 2016
2015-2016 F-150 - Trailer Brake Controller Installation


If a Dealership is installing a factory Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) on a 2015-2016 F-150, instructions are available in the Workshop Manual, Section 206-10 or on the Ford Accessories Website. Once the TBC is installed, use IDS 98.02 or later to configure the Instrument Cluster for TBC by enabling the TBC Gain Setting in the Personality menu of the Programmable Parameters. Then on the 2016 only, also enable the TBC Module parameter. The Factory TBC connector C2142 is located under the steering column near the Data Link Connector or plugged into the backside of the IP coin holder. The installation of a TBC on a vehicle that was not originally equipped is not warrantable. To determine if a vehicle was originally equipped with TBC, click the additional vehicle info link in OASIS and search for code

 

Thanks for the info. I'll contact the dealer on Monday and see if perhaps the step you highlighted was missed when programming the TBC. I'm OK with it not being warrantable if there is a problem with the TBC, but I did pay to have it activated so if it's in good working order I'd like to be able to use it.

 

I finally had a chance to hook up to my trailer today. Unfortunately, the TBC does not appear to be working. The system acknowledges that a trailer is connected, but pressing the gain buttons or squeezing the levers on the TBC does nothing. I'm planning on contacting the dealer in the morning to see if by chance the technician missed the second step of the TBC enable process for 2016 model year trucks as indicated in tmcolegr's message. Another observation I made was that the + and - gain buttons on the TBC illuminate when the door is opened and the dash lights come on, but go out once the truck is started and the lights turn on. I find that kind of strange - has anyone else noticed this? I've rechecked the connection to the TBC and the under hood kick panel fuses for the TBC and everything looks good. Hopefully, it's a programming issue and not a bad switch.

 

Took my truck back to the dealer today. This time they enabled the TBC Module Parameter as per your post. Worked like a charm

 

Imagine that !!!

It's amazing what happens when you follow the directions and don't presume nothing has changed from the prior year