Wiring Fault & Integrated Brake Controller

[Marine71-76]

We took a trip to Virginia Beach and crossed some good mountain ranges. When we got to the Hampton Roads area and heavy traffic, "wiring fault on trailer" came on. Pulled over & checked, everything was secure and we continued on our way. It came on several more times. All during this, the integrated brake controller and lights all worked on the trailer.

Mobile service came out & checked the wiring in the king pin and on the F450. Said the truck was the problem - never checked the wiring to the brakes, etc. He apparently didn't know that in order for BK to work on his hand held unit, one has to activate the brake controller.

Truck taken to Ford dealership and they put it on a simulator & found no problem.

On way back home just before entering the tunnel (wife was driving) the "wiring fault on trailer" came on but wife didn't even touch the brake pedal. We found a trailer business that could check the trailer and they found nothing wrong. However, when we first arrived he tried using the integrated brake controller to stop the trailer and it did not work - the next morning he tested everything & it was fine.

We pulled a 2007 35' Cameo for 9 years before getting the Pinnacle and never once had this issue - Dexter axles. Wife contacted Jayco & was told this is a known issue between their unit and Ford - the wiring is not compatible. Wife also contacted Lippert who said the trailer needed to be checked before crossing the mountains again.

What wiring is not compatible? The trailer has a mid-August appointment for warranty work and the dealer is going to make sure the brakes & bearings are okay. Anything else they need to check?

[sobuck1]

try cleaning with electrical contact cleaner then use the electronis grease on the contacts should help took care of my F250

[RogerR]

Check the disconnect at the back of the controller for tight connection and clean contacts. Then trace to splices into the truck harness from the controller provided wiring. An almost invisible amount of corrosion will cause intermittent contact.

A can of contact cleaner and some electrical grease is a great team on anyone's shelf for preventative maintenance before each trip on the truck and trailer connectors.

[Marine71-76]

Thank you for the suggestions and greatly appreciate the feedback - did everything except the controller.

[Marine71-76]

UPDATE - the 5vr is in for warranty work. On the door side, rear break the breaking wire was not screwed in...guess QC missed this too.

[mike837go]

Great news!


Glad to hear you found the problem.