wires for trailer brake controller '24 Ranger?

[Jason B]

I peeked under the bumper yesterday. There is a connector with all wires for the 7-pin. Currently, the output connector has only the wires for the 4-pin coming out of it, white, brown. green, and yellow. Those 4 wires are wrapped up in the harness that feeds the plate lights and reverse sensors in the bumper. Probably no luck from Ford to provide just the trailer wire harness, as it's part of another assembly.
There is also a cutout in the bumper bracket that looks like it would hold a 7-pin.
I think Curt is working on a 7-pin harness that will connect into that connector.

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[craigc]

@TractorFixer @Hootbro @chino101 @RangerDangerStranger -

Just to confirm, you all have a Ranger with a BASIC Tow Package, correct?

Hey Y'all,

I been double checking my install to make sure I followed every step you have all suggested. I'm confident my install is correct.

If you're been following my posts, you might remember I had issues with my Redarc Liberty Tow-Pro not calibrating. I thought 12-volt power was dropping with the ignition off; that isn't the case. Using a multimeter, I was able to confirm 12-volt power is present at the TBC when the ignition is turned off. This means the Redarc should be retaining calibration settings. Sadly, it isn't.

I'm pretty confident I confirmed my second concern to be true: There is no brake pedal signal to Redarc TBC. With the engine running, I checked voltage over Pin 12 (the Grey/Org wire) with brakes released and applied. No voltage! .. meter read zero!

I called my Ford dealership and was told, "the port is there so it should work." So I did the next best thing... called another Ford dealership. That dealership said the "computer needs to be programmed" to activate port and of course it's "a very 'difficult' procedure" to program the computer so it's going to cost at least $100. Difficult? What a joke.

So, I now have a service appointment on Monday, Feb 3rd. I'll report back then. Hopefully this resolves the brake controller issue. So, @Jason B, be ready for POSSIBLE trip back to the dealership to get that port activated! (I'll let you know).

Do you have Forscan? It would be interesting to do a dump of your asbuilt before and after the service visit.

 

[HWMTB]

Do you have Forscan? It would be interesting to do a dump of your asbuilt before and after the service visit.

Unfortunately, no. Do you think AutoZone can get that report?

 

[Hootbro]

Unfortunately, no. Do you think AutoZone can get that report?

Autozone is not going to be dabbling with Forscan or anything like that.

 

[HWMTB]

Autozone is not going to be dabbling with Forscan or anything like that.

Didn’t think so, but thought I’d ask. ??. I could postpone the appointment but I really need to get this TBC issue resolved. I only hope this service visit actually fixes the issue!

 

[craigc]

Didn’t think so, but thought I’d ask. ??. I could postpone the appointment but I really need to get this TBC issue resolved. I only hope this service visit actually fixes the issue!

Yeah oh well. If you’ve never used it probably too much to do that quick. I have the redarc controller but haven’t yet hooked up a trailer yet. Hoping to this weekend. Seems odd if we’d have to activate something on the truck for an after market controller. This is the single most annoying thing about my decision to buy a truck off the lot rather than the one I ordered that had the advanced package! I wrongly assumed it’d be a simple add on later

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Just like I figured. If the basic tow package is there, all you have to do is get the trailer brake turned on by ford. Same way it been for a long time. Still cheaper than buying the higher end package. Gotta look at it that way.

From our earlier looking at this, Basic Tow Vehicles lack the Ford TBC module. However, that's all they lack. The connector appears to be flashed with the Basic package, and the wiring to the 7 pin out back is complete, including the Brake signal pin, goes to the 4 pin connector to the left of the brake pedal. Just need the Bronco Package that already plugs into that 4 pin connector, from one of the TBC makers like Redarc. And off you go.

I wonder weather the '25 ford TBC controller will fit our '24s? since it's a $300 option with the basic tow package on '25s?

As far as No tow package vehicles, looks like they need a flash to activate that 4 pin, and additional wiring. Thing is though, it stil beats the 5G setup, that HMSL tap was pretty hokey. This comes straight from the BCM, via the connector.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Yeah oh well. If you’ve never used it probably too much to do that quick. I have the redarc controller but haven’t yet hooked up a trailer yet. Hoping to this weekend. Seems odd if we’d have to activate something on the truck for an after market controller. This is the single most annoying thing about my decision to buy a truck off the lot rather than the one I ordered that had the advanced package! I wrongly assumed it’d be a simple add on later

If your is no Tow package, the flash is to activate the Brake on/off signal from the BCM. Sounds like it likely will be needed. Blame Ford.

 

[HWMTB]

Well, the saga continues... I was reluctant to post tonight but I have a big knot in my stomach. Read on for an update...

First, @RangerDangerStranger, you had asked in an earlier post about the Redarc calibration: Yes, I'm near certain the Redarc needs the brake signal (BOO) combined with sensing the vehicle inertia to calibrate correctly. Question for you also: do you remember in your research how many volts that Gray/Org wire output when the brakes were applied?

So, I ended up having the afternoon off today and I went to my original dearlership to see about getting the truck programmed/flashed. They didn't seem to fully understand my situation at first. I'll spare the details. But, to my surprise, they took my vehicle immediately. An hour later, the tech reported back that it is not possible to program the module because there wasn't an option to activate It in the computer. He said my truck does not have a FORD Trailer Brake MODULE (not to be confused with the Trailer Brake controller). Furthermore, the module is installed at the factory and "Ford doesn't have the part available" to install it afterword. I was so dumbfounded, I couldn't even argue. Thoughts?

I have an appointment on Monday with a different Ford Service department for a second opinion. I worry this shop may confirm what the first one said. If that's the case, I may really have to get creative. I'll update again soon.
??

Edit: I do recall the post by @Hootbro on page 1 of this thread. I'll be reviewing them more closely over the weekend.

 

[HWMTB]

If your is no Tow package, the flash is to activate the Brake on/off signal from the BCM. Sounds like it likely will be needed. Blame Ford.

This might not be accurate. I went to Ford service today and was told it can't just be flashed as the module is absent (on non-tow package Rangers). I have an appointment on Monday at different Ford service center for a second opinion.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Well, the saga continues... I was reluctant to post tonight but I have a big knot in my stomach. Read on for an update...

First, @RangerDangerStranger, you had asked in an earlier post about the Redarc calibration: Yes, I'm near certain the Redarc needs the brake signal (BOO) combined with sensing the vehicle inertia to calibrate correctly. Question for you also: do you remember in your research how many volts that Gray/Org wire output when the brakes were applied?

So, I ended up having the afternoon off today and I went to my original dearlership to see about getting the truck programmed/flashed. They didn't seem to fully understand my situation at first. I'll spare the details. But, to my surprise, they took my vehicle immediately. An hour later, the tech reported back that it is not possible to program the module because there wasn't an option to activate It in the computer. He said my truck does not have a FORD Trailer Brake MODULE (not to be confused with the Trailer Brake controller). Furthermore, the module is installed at the factory and "Ford doesn't have the part available" to install it afterword. I was so dumbfounded, I couldn't even argue. Thoughts?

I have an appointment on Monday with a different Ford Service department for a second opinion. I worry this shop may confirm what the first one said. If that's the case, I may really have to get creative. I'll update again soon.
??

It's 12V, well, whatever the charging system is doing. Check page 6 of this thread, i put a Scope on it, in the pictures. What your saying about the Trailer control module was my understanding from looking at HootBros schematics. Looked like there was 3 different builds. Models w/o any Tow package did not get the Trailer module. Did you check the other 3 wire in the under dash connector- should be power, Gnd, and blue back to what would be the 7 pin brake signal. From the Schematics, the BOO signal goes directly to the BCM, not the trailer module. So it should be able to be adctivated w/o the TRM. There may be a way to activate it in Forscan. It would take a bit of research though. The plug that goes back to the trailer module in basic tow pack trucks is here on page 3. Don't know if you have that. the differences are getting a bit severe. I would say that everthing else in the 7 pin can be grabbed else where, and 4 are already there in the 4 pin. If you can get the BOO signal activated, should be able to do it, or pay a shop. I looked through the Forscan BCM simple config, could not find a control for the BOO brake output. It's there, but probably only in the text edit side of the config. Use information at yout own risk. Good Luck, though.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

?

This might not be accurate. I went to Ford service today and was told it can't just be flashed as the module is absent (on non-tow package Rangers). I have an appointment on Monday at different Ford service center for a second opinion.

The schematic show it comes directly from the BCM. But it may be so buried in the BCM that the only way to activate it would be by the text editor type modification. You have to know what bit and what to change it to. I checked the BCM for the simple known editor portion. I couldn't find it there, but it does come from the BCM.

 

[jedadiah]

I peeked under the bumper yesterday. There is a connector with all wires for the 7-pin. Currently, the output connector has only the wires for the 4-pin coming out of it, white, brown. green, and yellow. Those 4 wires are wrapped up in the harness that feeds the plate lights and reverse sensors in the bumper. Probably no luck from Ford to provide just the trailer wire harness, as it's part of another assembly.
There is also a cutout in the bumper bracket that looks like it would hold a 7-pin.
I think Curt is working on a 7-pin harness that will connect into that connector.

That’s how the 5G is.

 

[HWMTB]

It's 12V, well, whatever the charging system is doing. Check page 6 of this thread, i put a Scope on it, in the pictures.

Ok, that is good to know. A this point, I'm thinking about tapping into a brake light, maybe even the CHMSL from the BCM.

What you're saying about the Trailer control module was my understanding from looking at HootBros schematics. Looked like there was 3 different builds. Models w/o any Tow package did not get the Trailer module. Did you check the other 3 wire in the under dash connector- should be power, Gnd, and blue back to what would be the 7 pin brake signal.

This is what Ford said yesterday, that I don't have a trailer brake module. Just to confirm, the connector you mentioned has 4 wires: Power, Ground, BOO and Blue Trailer brake. Yes, they all work except that BOO (GRY/ORG) wire.

From the Schematics, the BOO signal goes directly to the BCM, not the trailer module. So it should be able to be adctivated w/o the TRM. There may be a way to activate it in Forscan. It would take a bit of research though. The plug that goes back to the trailer module in basic tow pack trucks is here on page 3. Don't know if you have that.

I'll have to ask the tech at the Ford service center on Monday about the BOO signal at the BCM. The real challenge is finding a tech who is competent enough to backup settings and methodically troubleshoot this without introducing other issues.

As for the 7-pin connector, there is no issue there. That is wired correctly by a local shop (not Ford).

Thanks for all your input and suggestions!

 

[HWMTB]

I just ordered one of these: Curt Echo In-Line Bluetooth Brake Controller w/ OneControl App

I strongly dislike the idea of having to use a phone app and bluetooth technology to use a brake controller but this might be the only option if Ford can't get that BOO line activated. This Curt Echo seems to capture brake input from the 7-pin connector (Not sure how it filters out turn-signal inputs).

I thought I was saving money but this isn't worth the stress. LOL. I should have waiting and found a Ranger with the basic tow.

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