wiring fault on trailer

[funpro]

2011 Fleetwood cougar, 2008 F250 Diesel. Been traveling very dirty, dusty and sometimes muddy roads in Canada/Alaska (Top of the Road highway for one.) Today, for the first time, a warning message came up - "wiring fault on trailer". It comes on for minute or so, then goes off for awhile. The output/gain module shows that I still have trailer brakes. Though every once in a while it goes red and out for a second or two - but I still have trailer brakes and lights. Any suggestions??

One suggestion was that the socket into the truck was dry and to try putting some Vaseline on the socket.

I'm in Valdez, AK and will not be near any repair facilities for more than a week. Nothing here in Valdez to assist.

[MC9]

My 08 Ford gave me the Disconnect signal intermittently, turned out my auxiliary freezer came unplugged in the front compartment. The TBC is pretty sophisticated.

[RCMAN46]

The trailer wiring may be your problem. Check where the wiring goes inside the trailer axle. The rubber grommet may be gone where the wire enters the axle tube and is shorting. There will be a hole near each axle hub. 4 holes total.

The wire inside the axle tube sometimes wears and shorts. Requires replacing the wire and I suggest routing outside of the axle.

If you have the fault most of the time disconnect one axle at a time and see if the fault clears.

When making the connection either use a butt connector and make sure the wire is corrosion free or solder the connection. Then use some marine grade heat shrink to cover the connection. Harbor Fright has the marine heat shrink or any marine supply house should have it.

[RoyB]

All of us usually have a can of WD40 in the door storage. I squirt some WD40 into my 7-way trailer connector on my pulled trailer everytime I hook up. I move the 7-way plug around real good a couple of times to make sure the contacts all get exerised abit with WD40 spray.

Seems to work good for my trailer connections...

My 2010 FORD TRUCk has the built-in OEM brake controller and I sometimes get the disconnect message on my info screen. This seems to be more sensitive than my previous Prodigy after market Brake Controller.

I am a WD40-DUCK TAPE fixit guy here haha...
Roy Ken

[Carl_n_Susan]

The 2008 Fords (well all the 6.4L years) are notorious for this error message. Ford even issued a TSB about it. The standard 7 pin receptacle assembly allows water and dirt to enter it and causes shorts. Clean the receptacle as best you can and try to seal the back of it with something (silicone, duct tape or ??) to prevent further intrusion.

[Dave_H_M]

On the wires traveling thru the axle. I had the same issue on my flat bed. So one day I was laying under there and started tugging on the wires that run thru the axle. i pulled out a bunch of slack, scratched my head, checked the controller and it was happy. I zip tied the excess wire that was stuffed in the axle in a neat little ball and all has been well for a few years now. :R

[funpro]

Thanks for the additional replies - will crawl under and check as soon as the rain stops. We're in Valdez.

[fpresto]

Others have it right. Most RV manufacturers run the wires down one side and then use the axle to get to the other side. They don't put the wires in a wire wrap and the inside of the axel is not polished. When the wires wear and bounce around you get intermittent shorts. Very common issue.

[shadows4]

ScottG wrote:
The brake wires that cross over inside your axles can eventually wear through their insulation and intermittently short to ground.

X2

[ScottG]

The brake wires that cross over inside your axles can eventually wear through their insulation and intermittently short to ground.

[j2catfish]

If it is electrical brakes, I would carefully check all connections at the wheels. Might be a loose wire connector. Good luck.
Catfish

[funpro]

Hi all, thanks much for your experiences and recommendations. Will pick up contact spray cleaner tomorrow - if they have it here in Valdez. lol I'm sure they do.

[avvidclif1]

DiElectric grease can be bought at most auto parts stores. It will help make contact and keep out moisture and dirt.

[Allworth]

See if you can find an electronics supply house. With all the marine radios and bush aircraft up there you should find something.

Get a can of spray contact cleaner. Spray He== out of the plug and the socket.

On edit: any radio repair shop should have some you could "borrow".

[netjam]

Did that on my 08 Ford from day one. Went to no end of Ford dealers and trailer places looking for a fix. Eventually I replaced the Ford built in brake controller with an aftermarket and no problems after that. Good luck on your quest. I think my problem was related to the trailer hydraulic.electric brakes but if yours are just std trailer brakes, not sure what could be the cause.