Another trailer brake question
12-17-2011, 10:48 AM
#21
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
~update~
I went to the dealer - they installed the module, re-flashed the computer, and it workds fine, other than it cannot see the trailer, just like cigar guy told me it would.
So, I hope cigar guy comes back in to this thread, to tell me any shortcuts as to running the missing wire(s).
The module is really slick - looks good in the dash, and when you push the gain button it shows up on the display. I'll run a wire or two to keep that.
Plus, the dealer charged me $285 instead of the $322.00
I went to the dealer - they installed the module, re-flashed the computer, and it workds fine, other than it cannot see the trailer, just like cigar guy told me it would.
So, I hope cigar guy comes back in to this thread, to tell me any shortcuts as to running the missing wire(s).
The module is really slick - looks good in the dash, and when you push the gain button it shows up on the display. I'll run a wire or two to keep that.
Plus, the dealer charged me $285 instead of the $322.00
12-17-2011, 01:09 PM
#22
Ok I just did what you are about to do with the same truck
Mine was an XLT with no other options other than 5.0 engine
I thought it would just be a Plug and play and so didn't the dealer
I installed the factory brake control and it DOES plug in to the harness under the dash.
I went to the ford store and had them turn the BC on in the Computer
Heres were it gets tricky
I go home and plug into my trailer and nothing works
I go back to Ford store and we determine that there are 2 Different part numbers for 2011 model year. So we switch out the part and we are good to go. It recognizes the controller etc.
I go back home and the Park, signal, and brake lights work
However the brake control and the 12 volt would not, the BC just said no trailer connected
Back to Ford store and upon investigation we find out that If you did not have a trailer hitch installed at factory these 2 wires terminate about 18 inches into the harness under the dash
I had to run these two lines back to the harness at the trailer hitch.
After that it worked fine
Hope this helps
Even if you run an aftermarket BC you would still have to run these 2 lines
I would still go with Factory Brake Controller
Cheers
Andy
Mine was an XLT with no other options other than 5.0 engine
I thought it would just be a Plug and play and so didn't the dealer
I installed the factory brake control and it DOES plug in to the harness under the dash.
I went to the ford store and had them turn the BC on in the Computer
Heres were it gets tricky
I go home and plug into my trailer and nothing works
I go back to Ford store and we determine that there are 2 Different part numbers for 2011 model year. So we switch out the part and we are good to go. It recognizes the controller etc.
I go back home and the Park, signal, and brake lights work
However the brake control and the 12 volt would not, the BC just said no trailer connected
Back to Ford store and upon investigation we find out that If you did not have a trailer hitch installed at factory these 2 wires terminate about 18 inches into the harness under the dash
I had to run these two lines back to the harness at the trailer hitch.
After that it worked fine
Hope this helps
Even if you run an aftermarket BC you would still have to run these 2 lines
I would still go with Factory Brake Controller
Cheers
Andy
My question to you is, what did you use for a connector at the tail of the truck? Because the wires should be ran from the dash to the tail, and should be accessable from the harness that is beside the spare tire under the box.
~update~
I went to the dealer - they installed the module, re-flashed the computer, and it workds fine, other than it cannot see the trailer, just like cigar guy told me it would.
So, I hope cigar guy comes back in to this thread, to tell me any shortcuts as to running the missing wire(s).
The module is really slick - looks good in the dash, and when you push the gain button it shows up on the display. I'll run a wire or two to keep that.
Plus, the dealer charged me $285 instead of the $322.00
I went to the dealer - they installed the module, re-flashed the computer, and it workds fine, other than it cannot see the trailer, just like cigar guy told me it would.
So, I hope cigar guy comes back in to this thread, to tell me any shortcuts as to running the missing wire(s).
The module is really slick - looks good in the dash, and when you push the gain button it shows up on the display. I'll run a wire or two to keep that.
Plus, the dealer charged me $285 instead of the $322.00
12-17-2011, 01:47 PM
#23
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
I bought the factory wiring harness for the rear - and the factory plug/bracket.
Easiest install ever, just drop the spare tire, unplug the harness with the flat 4 plug, mount the bracket, and everything just plugs together.
Easiest install ever, just drop the spare tire, unplug the harness with the flat 4 plug, mount the bracket, and everything just plugs together.
12-17-2011, 02:50 PM
#24
This has been metioned before, but to activate the 12v charging wire, you need a relay and fuse for the under hood fuse panel.
12-17-2011, 03:05 PM
#25
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
I don't have a need for power back there at this time, so I'll run both wires up there while I'm in the mood, but the only one I'm hooking up is the trailer brake wire. I'll power it up when I need it, if ever.
12-17-2011, 03:20 PM
#26
Senior Member
~update~
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
12-17-2011, 03:31 PM
#27
To me thats a no brainer. by the time you spend a whole day wireing and mounting a looks like crap hard to reach controler that might or might not work when you can get a fulley integated system with a warenty and keep your hands clean not to mention free coffee and donuts for a couple of hundred bucks more I wouldnt have to think very long. Bubbabud.2011 XLT SCAB ecoboost with integrated brake controler
12-17-2011, 05:43 PM
#28
Hi Gang
I had the 2wires run by the Forman from the ford store after hours( he is a buddy)
He stated that the 2 wires come from the BC harness and then bunch into main harness and stop just under the steering column
He ran the wires thru the firewall and along the frame to the harness at the back and joined the there
Very straight forward except you might get a bit dirty climbing under the truck
Cheers
Andy
I had the 2wires run by the Forman from the ford store after hours( he is a buddy)
He stated that the 2 wires come from the BC harness and then bunch into main harness and stop just under the steering column
He ran the wires thru the firewall and along the frame to the harness at the back and joined the there
Very straight forward except you might get a bit dirty climbing under the truck
Cheers
Andy
12-18-2011, 01:08 PM
#29
Why on earth would Ford eliminate those wires? F150's have been pre-wired for brake controllers for almost a decade now!
Does anyone have a wiring diagram to verify this? Previously, all trucks had the wiring from the the Fuse panel (heck the fuse was even installed!) for the brake controller circuit, and had all wiring except the pigtail at the dash, and the harness at the rear.
To be perfectly honest, this situation strikes me as a scam, and I am thinking the dealer ripped you off. Did you check the harness at the tail and verify that there was only 4 wires?
Does anyone have a wiring diagram to verify this? Previously, all trucks had the wiring from the the Fuse panel (heck the fuse was even installed!) for the brake controller circuit, and had all wiring except the pigtail at the dash, and the harness at the rear.
To be perfectly honest, this situation strikes me as a scam, and I am thinking the dealer ripped you off. Did you check the harness at the tail and verify that there was only 4 wires?
Last edited by isthatahemi; 12-18-2011 at 01:27 PM.
12-18-2011, 09:57 PM
#30
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
I did mine today - I went to NAPA, bought 25 ft of blue, 25' of orange primary wire, and 25' of 1/2" loom -
I tied them in right behind the plug connector, the trailer brake controller is the blue one, and the 12v power supply wire is orange in the FOMOCO harness.
I soldered them in, taped it up nice, and then I ran the wire loom up front the same way the other harness was, and tie-wrapped the harnesses together. I ran the blue wire up to the back of the TBC, and soldered it in, and I ran the orange wire / wire loom up to the power distribution panel, installed a 30 amp breaker, and hooked it up direct so I have power there even if the ignition is off.
After it was done, I put my 5STAR 87 octane tune back on the truck, and in the morning I'll hook up the trailer and try it out.
I tied them in right behind the plug connector, the trailer brake controller is the blue one, and the 12v power supply wire is orange in the FOMOCO harness.
I soldered them in, taped it up nice, and then I ran the wire loom up front the same way the other harness was, and tie-wrapped the harnesses together. I ran the blue wire up to the back of the TBC, and soldered it in, and I ran the orange wire / wire loom up to the power distribution panel, installed a 30 amp breaker, and hooked it up direct so I have power there even if the ignition is off.
After it was done, I put my 5STAR 87 octane tune back on the truck, and in the morning I'll hook up the trailer and try it out.
