2013 F150, has the 7 pin trailer plugin.
Didn't have a brake controller, so I bought one that is made to go in the correct spot. Looks OEM, but I think it's not actually Ford.

Anyway, it came with 2 fuses, so I installed those in the correct slots.

Then, as instructions say, took it to Ford, and they programmed it.

So now I plug in my new trailer, and the lights all work, but nothing shows up for the brake controller.

I push it and it says "trailer disconnected".

Tried my friend's trailer, same thing.

Looked at the other trailer-related fuses, all good.

Noticed that the lights on the controller DO come on with the dash lights, so it is powered up.

Went to settings, and selected a trailer, and it lets me adjust gain there. So that's showing up on the screen. But when I push the brakes, nothing. Squeeze the controller, "trailer disconnected".

So I'm kind of stumped. It is powered up, the truck is aware that the controller exists, but it won't power any brakes. It never can see a trailer.

Anyone know what I could check next, or had this issue before?

 

Your problem is you bought a knock off and they’re known to have issues. Buy an OEM controller even if it means grabbing one from a wrecked junk yard truck.

 

I wondered about that, the stupid thing cost me $120, might have been a waste. There was one I seen in the wrecking yard the other day, might grab it tomorrow.

Not sure what other troubleshooting I could do with this one to make sure it's the issue, but probably is then.

 

Where did you buy it? I know for the 15-20 trucks there are soooo many knock offs. They all cause issues.

There was a thread on someone taking them apart and their internals were totally different.

Id get the one from the junk yard.

 

Some knockoff called Isinswift.
Here's another question with the wrecking yard one, do I have to go back to Ford and have it programmed again?
Or since they told it that there is a trailer brake controller now, can I just plug and go?
Wasn't sure whether they had to mate it to each individual controller, or if all they were doing is telling it that there is now a controller there in general.

 

should be able to just plug it in since dash is already configured

 

well you may not have the correct or best controller that’s true. However now that it’s installed and set up. Let’s do basic troubleshooting any trailer owner needs to know. Got to YouTube for instructions on how to check the connector pins. Sounds like there may be an issue with the brake power lead or ground in the receiver wiring. This needs to be corrected either way so might as well get it checked off. Good luck.

 

Forgot to mention ESPECIALLY if you’re in the rust belt like me. Also make sure you’re watching info about the receiver side not trailer side of connection.

 

Glad I tested this, now I'm even more confused. Haha. Before going to the wrecking yard I checked the prongs on the back plug, and show something like 0.4. when the brakes are pushed, it jumps to 11.5v.
So it's apparently working.
Hooked it up to my trailer, still nothing. Hooked up to the other brand new trailer, nothing.
Could this still be something in the truck? I'll see if I can get another truck to plug into these trailers this evening.

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That’s good news. I believe if there is a load on the brake power circuit it should recognize the trailer as connected in the controller. Also volts should sweep up when you use the manual lever on the controller.
where did you put ground side of circuit when testing brake power? Need to verify the ground pin and wiring on the set also. You’ve verified the power side just need to make sure ground side is solid. Poor Ground will make your car act weird and cause you to chase your tail.