I’m trying to add the factory trailer brake controller to my 22. Apparently in the changes to the 22 I have the old style connector and the dash mounting position of the new controller. Has anyone been successful sourcing an adapter of some sort? The vehicle has the hd tow package, just not the gain adjustment controller.
22 trailer brake controller
- Thread starter rjtehan
- Start date
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daturner90
New Member
What was the solution to this? I'm getting ready to do the same thing
JohnsonEJ23
Active Member
I'm working on trying to do this too, along with adding the Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The last piece I ordered for it is supposed to arrive tomorrow. If I'm successful with what I'm trying to do, I'll report back with details. *Fingers Crossed*
How could HD tow package not come with a trailer brake controller? That doesn't make any sense to me.
JohnsonEJ23
Active Member
Here's where I currently stand:
I've purchased the following parts:
I'd love to get this figured out on my vehicle and get it all documented for others to be able to follow too. I'm really surprised at how hard this has been to figure out and have run across many others who are also struggling with it. I'm mainly trying to get the trailer brake controller figured out first and will then focus on the Pro Trailer backup feature after that.
I've purchased the following parts:
- Trailer Brake Switch: ML3Z-14529-AC
- Jumper Wire: NL1Z14A411F
- Trailer Brake Module (With Pro Trailer): ML3Z19H332J
- Pro Trailer Knob: ML3Z19H540AA
- Dash Panel to support pro trailer knob install: NL1Z7804339CA
I'd love to get this figured out on my vehicle and get it all documented for others to be able to follow too. I'm really surprised at how hard this has been to figure out and have run across many others who are also struggling with it. I'm mainly trying to get the trailer brake controller figured out first and will then focus on the Pro Trailer backup feature after that.
JohnsonEJ23
Active Member
Update: I have the hardware physically installed, but couldn't get the software programmed to work. We bit the bullet and brought it to a dealer and their service team said the FDRS software said it couldn't be setup on this make/model. We then took it to another dealer that has an "Accessory Department". They didn't have success either, but want to order some replacement parts to see if that will make a difference. We're expecting they will have those in and take another look at it next week...
I’m not sure it’s possible. Seeing the 22 and 24s appear to have the same harness at connector 238 on the main harness side the wires needed are not in the connector. I just tried wiring my own wires and with Fords FDRS software I can not enable it. Possibly you could with Forscan but as a dealer tech I don’t currently have Forscan to try. If I get this one on this 24 to work I will update this.
JohnsonEJ23
Active Member
I'd really appreciate an update once you have one! The last dealer we had it at, ordered some other parts suspecting there was something wrong with mine, but they didn't work either and they ultimately cited that the FDRS software said that adding the brake controller is not available on this make and model year. I'm not accepting that this is truly the case. Maybe it doesn't make financial sense, but it has to be possible because there are vehicles that were originally sold with this option in this model year... So it just has to be a matter of what modules need to be ordered/installed. Right??
RogueLeader
Member
JohnsonEJ23, did you ever figure it out? We just purchased a new 2024 Max Limited. It does not have the HD tow package, but factory hitch and 4&7 pin plugs are there in the rear bumper. There was a TBC jumper harness in the cargo tray next to the jack, that matches up to your white/red connector. FOMOCO part JL1T 14A348 R59C0. It's just a grey plug pigtail. I want to install a TBC on this thing, but I am reluctant if it isn't 'plug and play'. I got spoiled with how easy our Subaru Ascent was. It literally had pigtail under the dash, and you just plugged it in, mounted it and you're done.
JohnsonEJ23
Active Member
I don't have it figured out yet, but someone was able to help me figure out that when I ordered the first controller box (under the dash) the dealer sent me the wrong one. I ordered a replacement, but haven't tried putting it in yet. I'm cautiously optimistic that once I put it in, I'll be able to program it either with Forscan or with FDRS at the dealer. Not sure when I'll get time to mess with it next though...
Eagerly following! I purchased a 2022 Expedition with the expectation of hauling my camper, the dealer said no problem adding the controller and proceeded to try and install an aftermarket controller. I specifically asked for the OEM controller since I own a 2020 F150 that works flawlessly.
Have any dealers reached out to Ford? There has to be a fix!!
Have any dealers reached out to Ford? There has to be a fix!!
I know both issues installing the OEM brake controller involves MY '22 Expys, but what are you finding in FORScan? In FORScan my '19 shows I can enable the brake controller and I plan on adding it next week.
Edit: Added the OEM brake controller to my '19 and enabled the feature thru FORScan with no problems. Everything works great and no faults.
Edit: Added the OEM brake controller to my '19 and enabled the feature thru FORScan with no problems. Everything works great and no faults.
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mbrown1
Active Member
I'm hoping there is some resolution here. 23 Limited Trailer Prep and w/o HD So class 4 hitch and factory 4/7 socket. Also found the harness in the under floor rear tray. I don't need the 'Pro Assist' piece, though it would be nice. Trailer brakes though... gotta have. So following!
Well no dice. I called FoMoCo the TBC is only available as a factory installed option. ... perfect. Off to 3rd party land I guess.
Well no dice. I called FoMoCo the TBC is only available as a factory installed option. ... perfect. Off to 3rd party land I guess.
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I don't know what the resolution is going to be, but I was able to figure out what the root cause of the problem is for so many of us who want factory trailer brakes but can't seem to make the factory parts work.
There is is brown/white wire that leaves the 4 pin trailer brake switch. This wire is the LIN communication (similar to CAN BUS) wire that tells the trailer brake module how the switch is being manipulated (more/less gain or manual application of trailer brake). The first connector is straight behind the switch and brown/white goes in and comes out. From there, it goes over to the passengers outer footwell into another connector. Brown/white goes into the connector but doesn't come out the other side. From there, it is supposed to go back over to the drivers outer footwell and connect to the LIN terminal on the trailer brake module. That pin cavity is empty, too.
During my diagnosis, i added a jumper wire from the switch LIN terminal to the module LIN terminal and everything worked as expected.
Since I'd already had it to Ford after my simple parts (module, switch and harness) install didn't work, and they couldn't figure it out, i don't have much hope for any positive outcome from them now. I did let the service manager know that the truck came with the HD tow package, and the only wiring diagram available shows the brown/white wire in all configurations, but is absent in my harness, so it shouldn't be my responsibility to add an extra wire. We'll see what they want to do.
I will also disclose that I had to get creative with the programming/configuration of the new module. I found a 2022 expedition with a factory installed trailer brake controller, used it's VIN to get the AS-BUILT data from Ford Service online and manually input the trailer brake module data into FORSCAN.
I wanted trailer brakes for one trip we took pulling two motorcycles in a 16' enclosed trailer right after we purchased the EXPY. The trip came up urgently, and I covered about 700 miles rounding up the parts. Spending another ten hours or so trying to make it work only angered me more when it didn't. After the trip, i chose not to think about it, mostly because i didn't want to get any more angry. Ten months later, i decided to dig my heels in and figure it out.
I'll give you an update when i hear back from Ford.
Rob
There is is brown/white wire that leaves the 4 pin trailer brake switch. This wire is the LIN communication (similar to CAN BUS) wire that tells the trailer brake module how the switch is being manipulated (more/less gain or manual application of trailer brake). The first connector is straight behind the switch and brown/white goes in and comes out. From there, it goes over to the passengers outer footwell into another connector. Brown/white goes into the connector but doesn't come out the other side. From there, it is supposed to go back over to the drivers outer footwell and connect to the LIN terminal on the trailer brake module. That pin cavity is empty, too.
During my diagnosis, i added a jumper wire from the switch LIN terminal to the module LIN terminal and everything worked as expected.
Since I'd already had it to Ford after my simple parts (module, switch and harness) install didn't work, and they couldn't figure it out, i don't have much hope for any positive outcome from them now. I did let the service manager know that the truck came with the HD tow package, and the only wiring diagram available shows the brown/white wire in all configurations, but is absent in my harness, so it shouldn't be my responsibility to add an extra wire. We'll see what they want to do.
I will also disclose that I had to get creative with the programming/configuration of the new module. I found a 2022 expedition with a factory installed trailer brake controller, used it's VIN to get the AS-BUILT data from Ford Service online and manually input the trailer brake module data into FORSCAN.
I wanted trailer brakes for one trip we took pulling two motorcycles in a 16' enclosed trailer right after we purchased the EXPY. The trip came up urgently, and I covered about 700 miles rounding up the parts. Spending another ten hours or so trying to make it work only angered me more when it didn't. After the trip, i chose not to think about it, mostly because i didn't want to get any more angry. Ten months later, i decided to dig my heels in and figure it out.
I'll give you an update when i hear back from Ford.
Rob
Great job being persistent and getting this figured out. I'm sure many other owners will benefit from your discovery. 
If able, will you share what module and line you changed in FORScan to make this work?
If able, will you share what module and line you changed in FORScan to make this work?
I will share that information, but not until I figure out what ford is going to do about the missing wire. At that time, I'll make a comprehensive process.
For what it's worth, each line in the TRM needed changed, and you have to verify that lines in the APIM and IPC are switched to ENABLED.
I started the process very methodically, notating all of my Forscan changes. As time progressed and positive results weren't achieved, frustration got the best of me and I stopped keeping track of my changes. When i went back to my old adage of LOOK-LISTEN-LEARN did i make immediate progress. Sometimes you just have to get back to your roots, you know.
For what it's worth, each line in the TRM needed changed, and you have to verify that lines in the APIM and IPC are switched to ENABLED.
I started the process very methodically, notating all of my Forscan changes. As time progressed and positive results weren't achieved, frustration got the best of me and I stopped keeping track of my changes. When i went back to my old adage of LOOK-LISTEN-LEARN did i make immediate progress. Sometimes you just have to get back to your roots, you know.
Ford would do nothing for me. Neither the dealership, nor FOMOCO.
I ended up taking enough of the dash apart that I could discretely clip and solder a new wire from the back of the trailer brake switch and run it in the existing loom over to the module.
I bought the correct molex terminals from digikey so I could repin right into the connector at the module. With shipping, 9 dollars. A replacement connector from Ford is over $200!
A majority of the dash is held together with plastic tension clips that are attached over plastic tabs on each panel. By the time it was all apart, i broke 7 clips and ripped 2 of the tabs. What a piss poor design; it'll go together easy, but when you can't reach the clips from behind to push on them, they are likely to break. 3 dollars and some change each at the dealership.
I ended up taking enough of the dash apart that I could discretely clip and solder a new wire from the back of the trailer brake switch and run it in the existing loom over to the module.
I bought the correct molex terminals from digikey so I could repin right into the connector at the module. With shipping, 9 dollars. A replacement connector from Ford is over $200!
A majority of the dash is held together with plastic tension clips that are attached over plastic tabs on each panel. By the time it was all apart, i broke 7 clips and ripped 2 of the tabs. What a piss poor design; it'll go together easy, but when you can't reach the clips from behind to push on them, they are likely to break. 3 dollars and some change each at the dealership.
danimerciss22
Well-Known Member
What was the solution to this? I'm getting ready to do the same thing
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