Hey everyone. I have a 2012 6.2 Screw with max tow. Factory built in brake controller. Purchased in July, 2012. Both times towing a 5000# RV travel trailer (different ones), both well within my weight limit, I experienced a brake fail message on my dash. This occurs after driving above 60mph for about 20 minutes. At first, I thought it might be my trailer's wiring, but after the second time on a completely different RV, I'm thinking its a faulty controller.

Although the red warning light stays on, my trailer brakes seem to be working. When I am at a stop (red light still on) I can feel good resistence if I take my foot off the brake and use the manual controls on the brake controller.

Should I schedule an appointment with the dealer? Of course they wont be able to "replicate" the problem.

Ideas / comments / suggestions?

Thanks.

 

"Should I schedule an appointment with the dealer?"
Yes - it may just need to be flashed.

 

Twisty, thanks, didn't think of it as a software issue.

 

It might be, I don't know. I bought a big ol' warranty on my truck - not because of hardware - because of software/electronics stuff.

Good luck!!

 

You ''could have'' a bad ground.

But I don't know much about the factory built in brake controllers.... Guess I'll find out when I buy a new F-350 diesel!

 

Unless your dealer is far away, or a bunch of screw ups, or there is some other reason causing you not to return to the dealer I'd definitely start there. Why not, you have a warranty for a reason.

That being said I'd triple check your bargman to make sure there is nothing obvious wrong. Ensure a proper connection when connecting the trailer and throw some di-elecric grease in the plug.

 

Good suggestion. Trucks at dealer today, should know soon if they found or did anything.

 

So the dealer checked it out, flashed the software, checked the ground, did everything that everyone suggested. I used dielectric grease. Still having the problem. Dealer now wants me to bring the truck in with the RV attached. Like I said, it happened with two separate RVs now, so I know its not a trailer issue. I only get the error message after driving a few minutes at highway speed. Not happy about the thought of them taking my truck and RV for a test spin. Even after I reset the message by pressing "ok" the parking brake light stays on, but the trailer brakes seem to be working. The slide switch seems to work too, i feel good resistance. Obviously, I am worried about some sort of catastrophic brake failure. Any other suggestions? Thanks. Here's a photo of the error message:

 

OK... so here's a few "off the wall" ideas.
Have you tried engaging and disengaging the parking brake while the message is on? (please don't engage while driving)
Or unhooking the brake controller from the truck for awhile?
And finally the most of the wall, back the trailer up and use the brake a few times.
Just a few ideas not sure if they will work.
Good luck

 

Thanks, LM, I will give those suggestions a try.