2018 F150 XLT 3.5L Ecobeast 2WD
In the process of installing receiver hitch, 7 pin trailer connector and trailer brake controller. I have been reading about the #24 fuse issue (addressed) and additional wiring required for power and controller connection to the rear of the truck (addressed). I notice also, the mention of the trailer brake module. My silly question is, are the TBC and the trailer brake module the same part or separate parts? I am currently receiving the "trailer brake module fault" message and I have disconnected my battery negative terminal as mentioned in other posts. I'm curious in the event this does not resolve my issue that I don't waste time troubleshooting the TBC if the module is, in fact, a separate component.

Thanks

 

Trailer Brake Control Function
The gain buttons set the TBM for specific towing conditions such as trailer load, vehicle load, road conditions and weather. The gain is normally set to provide maximum trailer braking while maintaining trailerstability. For information on setting the trailer brake gain, refer to the Owner's Literature.

The manual slider switch on the TBM activates the trailer brakes independently from the vehicle brakes. The manual slider is used in conjunction with the gain buttons to adjust and set the trailer brakes. When the manual slider switch is activated with a trailer connected to the vehicle, the trailer stoplamps and the vehicle stoplamps illuminate. Activating the manual slider switch without a trailerconnected to the vehicle still illuminates the vehicle stoplamps.

Once the driver sets the desired gain, the TBM monitors the HS-CAN messages from the PCM, ABS moduleand BCM as well as the manual slider switch input to determine if trailerbraking is necessary. If trailer braking is necessary, the TBM sends a PWM signal to the trailer to activate the trailer brakes.

TBM
The TBM is the electronic control unit for the trailer brake system. The TBM monitors all sensor inputs and all HS-CAN messages relating to trailerbraking and directly controls the trailerbrakes using a PWM signal. Vehicle configuration information is sent to a new TBM from the BCM when the ignition is set to ON.

 

tmcolegr - thanks for the function overview, but I'm still not clear whether the TBC and TBM are separate components that can be separately analyzed. It seems that you may be saying the module is part of the controller. ???




As it turns out, disconnecting the negative terminal and allowing electronics to reset did not affect my installation. At this point, barring any further advice, I will re-test all my connections and verify that I have proper continuity and power where required.




Thanks

 

Controller or module, different terms for the same device.

 

Thank you

 

Did you install the Ford Brake Controller? Or an aftermarket controller?

 

OEM Ford. Used Ford work around for power via loom behind glove box as directed in Ford document.

 

Hi ears54

did you ever get your TBC working?

I’m looking to install one too on a non tow package truck

thanks

 

I believe the dealer needs to "activate" the trailer brake module after it's installed for the truck to recognize it.

 

They tried but had issues getting it to activate. I’m thinking it was a bad part as I can’t find any evidence that I would need anything else to make it work