Trailer Brake Controller issue

[KellyW]

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 Limited with the OEM brake controller installed. Recently when a trailer is connected I get brake lights, turn signals, but no trailer brakes. The trailer brakes work fine using another truck.

When the trailer is attached the display flashes connected then not connected and repeats. The gain shows 4.0 then flashes to 5.0 then back to 4.0. The trailer mileage shows 3481 then flashes 0 (zero) the back to 3481. Will not reset using the hold to reset.

I checked the trailer back port on the truck and trailer to be ok, connections are fine. I reset the center display fully and reconfigured the trailer to light electric trailer.

I unplugged the truck battery for an hour to reset and codes. None(present).

Any suggestions?

 

[crash68]

It might be a bad ITBM but it's sorta rare. If it is, don't try to go with a cheap aftermarket, way to many reports of them not working with the truck correctly stick with the OEM.
Even though the trailer brakes appear to work with another truck it's definitely worth giving the trailer brakes a good inspection. Have seen quite a few reports of no trailer brakes or malfunctioning and it turns out to be a bad trailer brake.

 

[KellyW]

Thx I did trace the cable from the back to the front and there is no sign of nick or splice anywhere. I’ll stop at mopar and pick up a new ITBM next week and try that. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[04fxdwgi]

It might be a bad ITBM but it's sorta rare. If it is, don't try to go with a cheap aftermarket, way to many reports of them not working with the truck correctly stick with the OEM.
Even though the trailer brakes appear to work with another truck it's definitely worth giving the trailer brakes a good inspection. Have seen quite a few reports of no trailer brakes or malfunctioning and it turns out to be a bad trailer brake.

A iffy ground between the trailer and vehicle can make all kinds of things go wonkey. Everything can work just fine, until the high current brake load is added to the ground, the all bets are off.

 

[62Blazer]

A iffy ground between the trailer and vehicle can make all kinds of things go wonkey. Everything can work just fine, until the high current brake load is added to the ground, the all bets are off.

Good point. From my experience the ground has been the problem 90% of the time when dealing with any trailer electrical issues. You can have some ground which is enough to power lights, and just as said above when you require more power there might not be enough ground. I've seen some very wonky stuff going on because of a poor ground.

 

[frazier1540]

Good point. From my experience the ground has been the problem 90% of the time when dealing with any trailer electrical issues. You can have some ground which is enough to power lights, and just as said above when you require more power there might not be enough ground. I've seen some very wonky stuff going on because of a poor ground.

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 Laramie, and I installed an OEM trailer brake controller kit. I have the error "trailer is not connected" after the 7-pin connector is connected. I have added a local ground from the frame to each brake wire set. I had a friend bring his truck over, and it worked for his truck. The 7-pin connector is being delivered the next day. I think there is something I am missing.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Have you checked the ground from the rear plug to the truck's frame?

The controller is looking for a certain current draw on the brake wires to get an OK that all is good. If the current flow is low or way out of the range, you'll get that message. If the ground if funky, then that can cause it.

Having the settings wrong on the controller (settings you make in the setup for each trailer), can cause it, too. I forgot to switch my boat trailer setup in the controller when I switched to EoH brakes. Sent the controller into a tizzy and gave me that warning.