Trailer Brakes Disconnected message
I have a 2017 Ram 2500 with the integrated brake controller and a 2016 Sandpiper 5th wheel. I have owned both for 3 years now. For some reason, ever since I pulled the camper from storage the truck n...
Forum Discussion
ktmrfs wrote:
Vehicles from all 3 mfg seem to have the problem show up occasionally. The GM system looks for a given resistance on the brake control wire to determine if the trailer brake system is connected. Once it thinks it is, it continues to monitor and if it goes out of range then the warning comes up. I suspect this is similar on others as well.
GM has had a few TSB's on the issue. What I have found it to make sure the connector on the TV and trailer is well seated, and clean. And that the TV connector doesn't have any moisture in it.
Also some of the lesser brands of trailer plugs have pretty weak spring force on the contacts, doesn't help.
Older controllers that monitored the connection would allow a small voltage to be present on the output. Not enough for the brakes to grab but just enough to see a small current being drawn by the magnets.
Newer modern controllers use a timed pulse to see if there is a ring or echo back. No ring or echo, no connection. Timing and size of the echo can also be used to determine connection and poor or bad wiring can affect the detection.. Basically if your wiring is not good, the controller will alert you with a disconnect or random disconnect/reconnects messages..
