Trailer Brake System Fault

[Oly_Bronco]

I had a factory trailer wiring and brake controller installed the first week of December. The first week of January I noticed a clicking sound from where the module for the trailer brake wiring is. Sounded like a relay. Then I got the below. Has anybody had this clicking from their module or got this message and how did you resolve it? I have an appointment at my dealer for the end of the month.

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[RoverDude]

There is a relay for auxiliary power, connection.

One possible reason for the fault:

The fault could be could be present from a fault due to the wiring association with the module, specifically the lights.

It being winter, do you have snow, water, debris buildup around the 7-pin connector.
If the wiring is protruding on the underside,
Is there any damage there?

 

[Oly_Bronco]

There is a relay for auxiliary power, connection.

One possible reason for the fault:

The fault could be could be present from a fault due to the wiring association with the module, specifically the lights.

It being winter, do you have snow, water, debris buildup around the 7-pin connector.
If the wiring is protruding on the underside,
Is there any damage there?

I looked at the 7-pin connector to see if any water was inside because the first time it was raining pretty good. No water inside; however it happened again yesterday and no rain or snow so doubt it's water related. No obvious damage to any of the wiring.

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Update the Bronco is at the dealer and they think it may be related to different updates. They are attempting to send the updates through but it’s giving them a hard time. They think it may also need a new module. Should have an update on Monday.

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Update #2. The dealer was able to get all of the different updates to go through and I have not heard the module clicking that sounded like a relay. Time will tell if this is actually what fixed the trailer brake system fault.

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Update #3. Unfortunately it appears the software updates were not the issue as I got the trailer brake system fault error again this evening. I just happened to have my gauge view on when it happened and I noticed that the battery voltage was going up and down and again I can hear clicking from the trailer module in what sounds like a relay. I think the module is the issue but we will see when it goes back to the dealer. Let me know if anybody has any thoughts on this new discovery.

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Ok the Bronco will be back at the dealership next Friday and is scheduled with their electrical tech. I hope this will be the last time as I really want to be able to tow with my Bronco this spring and summer but need to know the trailer module is not the problem and right now I have zero confidence.

 

[RoverDude]

Ok the Bronco will be back at the dealership next Friday and is scheduled with their electrical tech. I hope this will be the last time as I really want to be able to tow with my Bronco this spring and summer but need to know the trailer module is not the problem and right now I have zero confidence.

Try unplugging the connector on the right side of module.
If the issue goes away, the issue was not with the tow module, but the wiring that leaves it.

Keep in mind you will not have brake trailer lights functioning.
If you had the wiring added, there could be a problem at the connector,

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Try unplugging the connector on the right side of module.
If the issue goes away, the issue was not with the tow module, but the wiring that leaves it.

Keep in mind you will not have brake trailer lights functioning.
If you had the wiring added, there could be a problem at the connector,

The reason I am leaning to the tow module is the clicking from that location that sounds like a relay. I am not sure if when it was in last week if the dealer unplugged the module or not. The dealership added the tow module/wiring and the trailer brake controller in December. I have towed with it once and everything worked. Then in January I started getting the trailer brake system fault message. It went back to the dealer on January 31st and they indicated there were a number of modules that had updates that had not been updated. A few of the updates kept failing and they had my Bronco until 2/5 after they were finally able to get all the updates to load. Then I got the same trailer brake system fault message on Friday and I noticed the battery voltage was jumping around while hearing that clicking like a relay. To be honest I am not sure if it's the wiring that was part of the trailer hitch wiring or the module itself but hoping they can resolve.

 

[RoverDude]

That orange wire in the harness I'm talking about, is the battery charger for the 7-pin connector.
That is regulated by the relay internal to that module.
That is fed by one of those blue wires in the center of the module.
To my knowledge, there's been no software /firmware update to that module.
If battery voltage is jumping around, and you hear clicking, that is a good indication that there's wiring fault, ground fault.

Temporary removing of the right connector, if the faults go away, you've isolated the issue the wiring.
That right connector's wiring goes up to the driver 's wheel well front side to a connector, then back to the 7-pin connector at the hitch. It touches nothing else.

 

[pat8839]

Try unplugging the connector on the right side of module.
If the issue goes away, the issue was not with the tow module, but the wiring that leaves it.

Keep in mind you will not have brake trailer lights functioning.
If you had the wiring added, there could be a problem at the connector,

Where is this module? I'm getting the same issue, though mine came with tow kit from the factory in 2022 but this past week the erroressage started showing up and shows up about 50x per drive haha.

 

[RoverDude]

Cargo area driver side underneath the plastic trim

 

[Oly_Bronco]

Where is this module? I'm getting the same issue, though mine came with tow kit from the factory in 2022 but this past week the erroressage started showing up and shows up about 50x per drive haha.

Are you hearing any clicking that sounds like a relay in the rear driver side?

 

[pat8839]

Are you hearing any clicking that sounds like a relay in the rear driver side?

No clicking for me, just the chime from the instrument panel.

I don't appear to have that controller. Maybe that's just an after thing?

 

[pat8839]

No clicking for me, just the chime from the instrument panel.

I don't appear to have that controller. Maybe that's just an after thing?

I sorted out that my error message comes up anytime the lights on a trailer would come on - brakes, turn signals, flashers. Although there is no trailer attached I still get the error message. Maybe it's my ground wire? Anyone know where the ground is connected? I'm still searching for the wiring diagram.

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