7 way trailer plug issue...

[Powerstroke2000]

I have an '09 Ford F450, and I've got an 'ongoing' trailer brake issue. I've taken the truck to my local Ford dealer ($100.00+ to check) and said they could find no problem, but if it still doesn't work, take the truck and trailer to a trailer repair place...so, that I did. $75.00 later....after having to run the truck there, and then go again and pick it up later in the afternoon....and they tell me there is no problem. Still....no brakes coming on on the trailer with the service brakes, only if I pull the slide on the integrated brake controller. So, this same trailer repair place has another outlet in another town, which is about an additional 20 minutes further, but I thought I'd give them the benefit of the doubt...and again, hauled my truck/trailer out there. They check it all out, pull the wheels on the trailer (since it was there anyway) and checked the brakes and greased the bearings. They say all is good....but still, I'm not feeling anything when I push the brake pedal on the truck. The trailer has now sat all winter, and I'll need the trailer in a month or so....so I went out and bought a Tekonsha "trailer emulator", which you just plug in to the 7 way plug at the rear of the truck! Looked up a 'how to do' on Youtube, and sure enough, found a couple of video's on how to use the emulator correctly. When I turn the ignition key to 'on'....I should get a 12v signal light to come on...but I get 'nothing'. Left and right turn signal emulation works just fine. Brake light emulation works just fine. Putting the truck in reverse, I should get two bottom LED's to come on....I get 'nothing', albeit the bottom middle light flickers off and on about every 4 seconds.
Needless to say...I think it's a 'truck' issue now, and I'm wondering if it's the actual integrated brake controller (doesn't sound like this is an issue after researching the issue...as of yet anyway), or the 7 way plug attached to the truck?
This all makes me wonder though....why FORD and 'twice' the trailer repair shop didn't find this same issue? I'm now out about $200.00 plus.....and I had to figure out this on my own!

Anyone have any advice on if they think I should just replace the 7 way plug, or could it possibly be another electrical issue? I am having on other issues with the truck other than this. I had the integrated trailer brake controller at 8.5 (which is high) and still got no trailer brake coming on. The trailer 'lights' come on when I push the brake pedal...just no brakes coming on to slow the trailer! They 'use' to work just fine, and would even hear the odd screech of the tires if the controller was too high....but now I get nothing.

Thanks in advance!

[westend]

Powerstroke2000 wrote:
Thanks for the replies to this point, and no, I've never heard of the issue (not working below 10 mph....seems strange to me). But, I also know at basically 'any' speed, it doesn't seem to work in my case. Haven't heard of this 'device' that can be plugged into the 7 way socket either....seems I have lots to learn. Not sure how easy/difficult it is to open up the socket, but that looks like my next thing to check? Either that, or pay someone that knows what they are doing to do so.

Thanks...

When I discovered the parted wire ti the socket, I opened up the socket, stripped the brake wire back to good copper, attached it to the socket and reinstalled it. IIRC, it is like a Chinese puzzle box (lots of little pieces) but I did manage to get it all back together.

You could check with a meter to the socket's brake contact and see if you have voltage there or not.

[Powerstroke2000]

Thanks for the replies to this point, and no, I've never heard of the issue (not working below 10 mph....seems strange to me). But, I also know at basically 'any' speed, it doesn't seem to work in my case. Haven't heard of this 'device' that can be plugged into the 7 way socket either....seems I have lots to learn. Not sure how easy/difficult it is to open up the socket, but that looks like my next thing to check? Either that, or pay someone that knows what they are doing to do so.

Thanks...

[westend]

A few yeas back I was chasing a similar issue, even replaced the controller. What I eventually found was that the brake wire to the trucks 7 way socket had parted inside the jacket. Since the trailer brake wire is at the bottom of the 7 way socket, it will be the one to get hit by a rock first.

[Gene_Ginny]

Powerstroke2000 wrote:
.... Still....no brakes coming on on the trailer with the service brakes, only if I pull the slide on the integrated brake controller. ....

I don't have a Ford with the integrated controller but I am told by someone that has one that it does not actuate below 10 MPH. I wonder how they tested it!!! If the brakes work with the hand lever the 7 way must be good.

edit: oops, RoyB posted while I was still thinking.

[RoyB]

My 2010 F150 FORD Truck has the built-in OEM Brake controller. I'm not sure when this came out but was not on my 2004 F150 Truck. I'm thinking the 2009 F150 was the first year for this OEM Ford brake controller.

When I first got the truck and hooked up to my trailer I found out I did not have electric brake action except when I operated the slider bar.


It turns out the 2010 FORD OEM Brake controller is really embedded with the truck electronics and the speedometer has to be indicating at least 10MPH before the brake controller engages the electric brake action. Using the slider bar over-rides this action.

I am not a big fan of this but was confirmed by the FORD Folks to be true. I kinda like the idea of pushing in my brake pedal when stopped at stop sign and actually apply electric brake action on the trailer. The only way I can do this is reach down with my hand and operate the slide bar to hold the trailer brake action while being stopped at a stop sign.

My 2010 OEM FORD Brake Controller works just fine when going faster than 10MPH when applying brakes pushing down the brake pedal.. I could slide the trailer brakes like you indicated by setting the controller too high of setting when pushing down on the brake pedal.. Mine is set around a 5 setting for my trailer electric brake operation.

You may be running into something like this in your 2009 Ford truck.

Roy Ken

[WyoTraveler]

etrailer sells a replacement snap in module. No need to replace complete plug.