2021 F-150 Brake Controller problems
Long version of what is going on for a bunch of us is here: https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/trailer-brake-not-working.3039/ Short version is that there is an intermittent issue with the TB...
Forum Discussion
Rube Goldberg like IMHO these IBC’s
PWM, sure it is great and a buzz word for decades…but…for a trailer brake system ?!? There is a lot of inductance in the run from the TV bumper plug to the brake magnet (even if the trailer has hydraulic/disc), PWM doesn’t make much sense other than to impress & bragging rights thereof…
If the IBS’s are PWM, then an oscilloscope will be needed and again why PWM ? A DMM won’t be able to read PWM above 10Hz, so it might read an RMS, but not true voltage output.
Maybe since highly integrated…the ABS system computers might need to have a PWM input in order to make their decisions, but another why make it so complex ?
Can see the why if that ABS is also highly integrated with a TV anti sway system, but the trailer brakes do NOT…can NOT respond that quickly…hysteresis is too large through it’s harness & magnets (have seen potential patents trying to make trailer, shoe/drum brakes have an ABS function…ditto that same white paper for trailers discs systems).
Didn’t go over to that F150 forum and that approx 15 page discussion on this issue and repeat for someone to test out a P2/P3 that bypasses the IBS.
If that works and is solid without whatever issues the IBS displays….nailed and low cost vs any OEM fix
Last checked P2’s were around $120-$150 bucks on sale (my P3 was stolen recently) and a few hours making up your own harness. ONly issue can think of is that if your dash ‘Tow/Haul’ button is on, the computer systems might get confused trying to talk to the IBS…and have a poop fit by tossing an error code…because the IBS answers…huh?
PWM, sure it is great and a buzz word for decades…but…for a trailer brake system ?!? There is a lot of inductance in the run from the TV bumper plug to the brake magnet (even if the trailer has hydraulic/disc), PWM doesn’t make much sense other than to impress & bragging rights thereof…
If the IBS’s are PWM, then an oscilloscope will be needed and again why PWM ? A DMM won’t be able to read PWM above 10Hz, so it might read an RMS, but not true voltage output.
Maybe since highly integrated…the ABS system computers might need to have a PWM input in order to make their decisions, but another why make it so complex ?
Can see the why if that ABS is also highly integrated with a TV anti sway system, but the trailer brakes do NOT…can NOT respond that quickly…hysteresis is too large through it’s harness & magnets (have seen potential patents trying to make trailer, shoe/drum brakes have an ABS function…ditto that same white paper for trailers discs systems).
Didn’t go over to that F150 forum and that approx 15 page discussion on this issue and repeat for someone to test out a P2/P3 that bypasses the IBS.
If that works and is solid without whatever issues the IBS displays….nailed and low cost vs any OEM fix
Last checked P2’s were around $120-$150 bucks on sale (my P3 was stolen recently) and a few hours making up your own harness. ONly issue can think of is that if your dash ‘Tow/Haul’ button is on, the computer systems might get confused trying to talk to the IBS…and have a poop fit by tossing an error code…because the IBS answers…huh?
