no power to 7 pin connector for trailer brakes

[egilbe]

My GF and I purchased a 7x14 cargo trailer to onvert into an RV/fulltime boondock/nomad base station. I purchased the Curt Echo brake controller that's blue tooth controlled. All the lights work, with or without the brake controller connected, but the interior lights that are supposed to get power from the truck, do not. The light n the brake controller doesn't light up on my truck, but connecting to my brother's GMC Denali, it flashes blue, as it should. It doesn't seem like the power connector for the 7 pin connector is working. I checked the fuses that I could locate that were in anyway related to towing and they all look good to me.

Anyone have any other ideas?

I guesss its time to call the dealership again.

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[Tom_C]

I'm no expert or even a novice on towing. I looked at the curt unit and will likely buy it if I need to tow bigger units occasionally. I read that unit at first had some issues, but from what I read they resolved it. Can't confirm.

As for the wiring. I would test all the pins with a meter to verify they do what they should do. Beyond that, get the dealer to check it. It may be the controller, but you won't know until you check the connector.

ADDED: For information, and not related to your issue, but the curt unit doesn't *have* to be controller through bluetooth. You can program the unit and then let it control everything itself. You *can* control the brakes from the phone, but you don't have to.

 

[egilbe]

ADDED: For information, and not related to your issue, but the curt unit doesn't *have* to be controller through bluetooth. You can program the unit and then let it control everything itself. You *can* control the brakes from the phone, but you don't have to.

The breaks aren't getting power to work.

 

[Tom_C]

The breaks aren't getting power to work.

Please elaborate.

 

[Big Blue]

My GF and I purchased a 7x14 cargo trailer to onvert into an RV/fulltime boondock/nomad base station. I purchased the Curt Echo brake controller that's blue tooth controlled. All the lights work, with or without the brake controller connected, but the interior lights that are supposed to get power from the truck, do not. The light n the brake controller doesn't light up on my truck, but connecting to my brother's GMC Denali, it flashes blue, as it should. It doesn't seem like the power connector for the 7 pin connector is working. I checked the fuses that I could locate that were in anyway related to towing and they all look good to me.

Anyone have any other ideas?

I guesss its time to call the dealership again.

Not sure if this is your problem,but the +12v pin will not power up with out a trailer plugged in an the truck running. This is to keep the trailer from draining the truck battery.

 

[egilbe]

Please elaborate.

Turn signals, brake lights, marker lights on the trailer all work. Trailer brakes don't. Interior lights on the trailer don't. Brake controller not getting power. LEDs on the brake controller don't flash on my truck. Connect the brake controller to my brothers truck and the LEDs flash blue. Took the brake controller out of the equation and plugged the trailer directly into the truck and same thing. Truck was on and running. Truck can see the trailer is connected because it disables BLIS.

 

[Jason B]

I think I read in one of the threads about installing a TBC, that the wire that goes to that pin is not connected at the main harness. It there for when a Ford OEM TBC or aftermarket TBC is installed.

 

[Big Blue]

I think I read in one of the threads about installing a TBC, that the wire that goes to that pin is not connected at the main harness. It there for when a Ford OEM TBC or aftermarket TBC is installed.

The trailer brake wire is not connected unless a TBC is installed, blue wire don't remember the pin. The Curt Echo should not care. The 12v+ wire is connected to the truck harness, it only powers up when the truck sees and recognizes a trailer and the truck is running.

 

[Tom_C]

I think I read in one of the threads about installing a TBC, that the wire that goes to that pin is not connected at the main harness. It there for when a Ford OEM TBC or aftermarket TBC is installed.

I just poked around a little, and I didn't find any reference to the wire not being connected. Everything I read is what @Big Blue said, 12v is only present when a trailer is attached. OP said the trailer is connected. Below is what I found, but there are other threads.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/12v-power-to-7-pin-not-working.9776/

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/ford-licensed-tbc-install-instructions.5971/page-8

 

[Big Blue]

Turn signals, brake lights, marker lights on the trailer all work. Trailer brakes don't. Interior lights on the trailer don't. Brake controller not getting power. LEDs on the brake controller don't flash on my truck. Connect the brake controller to my brothers truck and the LEDs flash blue. Took the brake controller out of the equation and plugged the trailer directly into the truck and same thing. Truck was on and running. Truck can see the trailer is connected because it disables BLIS.

Having a trailer plugged in does not disable BLIS only Cross Traffic and Rear Parking Sensors. Sounds like you may need to have the dealer check that the 12V+ is powering up properly.

 

[Jason B]

I think we are talking about different pins. One pin is 12v battery power, and as Big Blue said " The 12v+ wire is connected to the truck harness, it only powers up when the truck sees and recognizes a trailer and the truck is running."
I was talking about the trailer brake power, a different pin. And again as Big Blue stated " The trailer brake wire is not connected unless a TBC is installed...." And TBC meaning an under dash TBC hardwired into the system, not a Bluetooth unit that is plugged into the 7 pin connector.
If the index key is at the top, pin 4 at 1 o'clock is 12v power and should be a black wire. Pin 2 is at 5 o'clock and should be a blue wire. So no signal to Pin 2 unless you have an in dash TBC. But research shows that the Curt Echo doesn't need pin 2 signal as " Echo uses a triple-axis accelerometer to provide smooth, safe braking."

Edit: Reviewing the installation guide Page 1 from the Curt Echo website, it specifically mentions requirements for the F150, but the Ranger isn't mention. It does mention about activation of +12v in some vehicles.

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