Now that we found TWO modules that were left UNPLUGGED, let’s restore the Airbag System and try to find the OEM connector for the Trailer Brake Controller.
Looks like the owner has MORE aftermarket accessories installed (cap, lighting, Doggy Door), so we don’t want to disable those while enabling the Trailer Brake system.
Customer said “do whatever it takes” to get ALL of the features working, so we have to use some critical thinking skills to figure out a way to get EVERYTHING online and functional.
TOPDON Phoenix Plus:
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UY CHAN TS101 SOLDERING IRON:
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Enjoy!
Ivan
 Trailer Brake Install…GONE WRONG?? (\'20 Ford F150)')){kind=link}
I would imagine a Y harness is optional/available from the cap manufacture or whomever made the other harness, since they did actually make a plug in harness. it would only make sense.
**ahh, looked like they hooked up an optional ford trailer harness and tapped into it, then the cap had it's own with extension-splitter harness.
I didn't figure the cap would have janky wiring. I wonder where the other wire goes, is there another 4pin trailer plug hidden somewhere in the back?
He may have to run LEDs on his trailer to make the signals work right as well as get rid of the warning message.
Do you move bud?
I’ll bet there’s a different wiring harness adapter for if the truck had the factory trailer brake module installed, but there was no need for it previously and that’s why there was no pass-through to reconnect it.
So in short – customer caused issues with all modifications and third party people reused wires that shouldn’t have. Most likely the trailer brake people were like I am not getting into that mess and gave up. Of course you are like the bulldog and don’t let go once you are there. You always try to simplify and provide solutions. That’s why we like watching your videos.
So you cannot have a topper and trailer brakes??
the absolute worst thing in any trade is when you have to follow anyone who does lousy work. great job!
Note to self: NEVER buy (or work on) a vehicle that has been hacked by a previous owner/shop.
Dealer tech had zero chance of getting everything figured out and spliced the way you did.
It's hard for us guys that know how electricity works to understand how someone else just can't fathom it. To me that was so easy to figure out. But I have been an electrician for years. N done a lot of control work. Plus I work on cars all the time. So for me I always try to simplify the circuit if possible. You can tell whoever did it just couldn't figure out how to simplify it. So they just made what they could work and accidentally made it worse. Probably didn't test drive it either to realize the other stuff that they messed up.
You can by situations like these that there are those like you Ivan that following the logic and know how the power is routing and can test and verify the correct connections, and then those like this other shop that don't know what they are doing and can't think logically or have complex thoughts with multiple systems like this truck requires and just know how to plug things in and throw parts at things. It boggles my mind how these people manage to stay in business and there is so many of them and they just don't have a clue what they are doing because they don't stop to think logically about things and break things down into simple steps. They really need to teach people in school how to think and not just how to memorize! That is the real problem.
Should have named the video, "How to butcher Ford wiring for trailer brake controller". That was a messy one!
Fantastic analysis & diagnosis mate!
Ford trucks come with an up fitter package. The harness for the brake controller is in the drivers kick panel and clearly labeled
OUCH!!!MY BRAIN HURTS AFTER ALL THAT!!
Ivan, your job was to get the brake controller connected and working. The owner can take his vehicle back to the person that used that controller connection for lighting and canopy brake light, and demand they fix it correctly for free now or refund his money.
We all like the doggie door
Why don’t you go live like you done before. If Keith is not around have guests . Talk about cars, car questions maybe phone calls text you can make it work.
Thanks Ivan. "UNDERPAID!". g
Nice work! You managed to unravel all that wiring mess
You say pretty fun one , that’s amazing the work you do. Great video as always
That Ray guy in Florida would have never figured this out!
Was that connector you left unplugged installed by aftermarket? What was the voltage to operate those LED lights in the cap? 2.5V? 5V? Perhaps the circuit board in that back aftermarket harness uses a step down to power those LEDs? Does the turn signal circuit also receive voltage source thru that circuit board? (possible fast blinking operation/excessive amp input/output thru circuit board from the now spliced in voltage?) Possible that aftermarket harness either not intended for this vehicle, or installation error (hence the uninstalled wiring) I haven't watched the part 1 of this series, so not sure if this question was asked, (where did the customer have this system installed, and did they not first bring the vehicle back to that shop for diagnosis?) Would it not be possible to gain info. (wiring schematic) of this aftermarket system? With all do respect, as a fellow tech, (good ones anyway, which you are) want to feel confident with every repair. Unfortunately, it's the unknowns not answered, you question… will it come back to bite me?
I always hated working on fleet vehicles with all the a/m stuff. Mainly because you are in the dark with how things are wired up. Its intersting that Ford made it able to add the factory brake controller after the fact. Instead of gm "if its not built with it, it can't be added and you must use aftermarket" even if you were to add the wiring, modules and switches, going down to programming techline will not create a vci for you. Had someone with a camaro that wanted the dual mode exhaust and they ran all the wiring, bought the exhaust and wanted us to program it. they were pissed when we told them sorry it can't be done, gm won't write the programming.