5'er brake problems

[MSHappyCampers]

Occasionally my 2010 F250 will show "Trailer Wiring Fault" on the display. I have it send a Vehicle Health Report to my e-mail and it says that this particular problem is highly likely to be in the trailer itself, not some problem with the "Tow/Haul" circuitry in the truck. When this happens I do not have any brakes on the 5er. It usually only lasts for a minute or so. Have any of you guys ever had this problem? What is there about the brake circuits in the 5er to cause it to lose all braking intermittently? Any help would be appreciated!

[Billieg]

I wish I had a good answer for you but I don't. I just replaced the cord on my 5th and noticed a few wires weren't tightly capped in the box. Maybe your brake wires (blue) have a lose connection in the electrical box under the pin or the plug has corrosion in it? I'd start by checking the plug and spraying it with a good electrical cleaner spray and checking to see if the clips are tight. Good luck.

[gdbontly]

Check the ground wires. In my experience, 9 times out of 10 that's been the issue with "intermittent" electrical problems.

[Red man]

Intermidate electric problems are hard to find. If the light only comes on with the trailer hooked up it`s probly the cord to the 5 er, the connections between the truck and trailer or maybe futher in the wiring of the trailer brakes.If it happens more on a bumpy road or rain, check connection points carefully.
Maybe you could get someone to sit in the cab ,while you go back and move the cable around.
As already mentioned in the fact that a loose or dirty ground wire is most likely it. GOOD LUCK

[woodburner]

Had the same issue a couple years ago.
Found chafing in the tube where the wires pass from one side to the other.
Pulled wires out and redirected them outside the tube in clear vinyl tubing after taping the bare spots.
No issues since.
I also use Die-Electric grease on my connection where the trailer connects to the truck.
FWIW:

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the tips guys, you've given me some things to look for!

[jawildman]

I'd also suggest running with your headlights on. When you get the code, glance in the mirror to see if you are losing your marker lights at the same time. May help you to isolate the area of the issue.

[Muddypaws]

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be caused by a loose connection in the truck bed 7 pin connector. Our trailer brakes failed before we even got out of the lot! They tried several times to figure it out and couldn't.

I found that the installer put too much stress on the wire by forcing it into a very tight bend just as it went into the connector. I added a 1/2" spacer between the truck bed and the connector to relieve the stress, tightened everything up and never had a problem again.

[Yankee Fan]

Had the same warning in my F-350 and like Muddypaws said it was a loose wire in the truck bed 7 pin connector..........
Tom

[Billieg]

So Joe, did you fix it?

[MSHappyCampers]

I haven't done anything yet since we haven't been camping lately. I went by Radio Shack yesterday and bought a can of Cleaner/Lubricant (at double price) to clean and protect the contacts in the connectors. I am also going to take the truck back to the company that installed the receptacle for them to check for bad connections in their wiring. We will be taking a trip down to Louisana after Christmas and will be able to check it out then. Wish me luck!

[Palpatine]

Joe -

It's a wiring fault in my F450. Not the 7 pin plug but where the "installer" cobbled together the truck wiring to the in bed plug. Did he use a wiring kit to just plug and unplug what Ford designed to be easy do? NOooo, he had to us those T wire connectors and of course they are not meant for outside or water use. I could just shoot some RV "specialist"......

Check under the bed for that wiring also.

[MSHappyCampers]

Well, I finally got the problem solved! We went to Slidell, LA after Christmas and the trailer brakes did not work all the way down there! I found a company that sold and serviced trailers of all sizes. They replaced the 7-pin plug on the end of the cable from the RV to the truck and I haven't had a problem since! I also asked them to pack the wheel bearings while it was in there. The seals had failed on two of the wheels and there was grease all over the brake pads. I had them replace the brake assemblies on all four wheels so I would have even braking. All this set me back $647 but it was well worth it!

[Franka548]

Joe,
Glad that you found the problem, going without brakes is quite hairy, being intermitant is even worse. It sounds like you got a very reasonably priced repair, also. Hope that you had a great holiday season, and have an even better year.
Frank