|
11-16-2010, 04:45 AM
|
#1
|
New Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Green Cove Springs
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #10580
|
Trailer Fault message
We recently completed a 3000 mile trip in our 3000RK pulled with a Ford 250 HD. Three times during the middle part of the trip we got a trailer fault message. The messages did not stay on long and did not appear to affect the brakes. The truck owners guide says the problem is related to trailer wiring, either a short to ground or a short to voltage i.e., a chaffed wire. Any suggestions about how to verify?
|
|
|
11-16-2010, 05:09 AM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: corning
Posts: 694
M.O.C. #6635
|
A short in the wiring is common. Usually where the wires enter the axle to go through to the other side's brakes. Carefully check the wire at those entry/exit holes for worn insulation. I had that happen to me, different controller, but same results.
|
|
|
11-16-2010, 08:00 AM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
|
You'll need to pick up either a meter or a continuity tester. I recommend the meter because it's much more versatile. You don't need to spend a hundred bucks for a really good one, but I would hesitate to buy a $5 Harbor freight one too. Disconnect the truck batteries, then use the ohm (resistance) setting to test each wire to see if any besides the ground wire give a "0" reading, which indicates a short. Then unhook the trailer battery and shore power and repeat the process for it. The problem with intermittent problems like this is getting them to act up while testing. One thing that may help is to have a helper (aka wife) jiggle the wires while you are testing them to see if you can replicate the problem. Like camper4 said, pay attention to the brake wires under the trailer because wear from chaffing is fairly common.
One last thought, a loose and/or dirty plug can raise heck too, so I would also clean both the male and female plugs, make sure they are plugged in securely, and see if the problem comes back.
|
|
|
11-16-2010, 11:10 AM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
|
When I had this problem, it was an issue with the wiring harness to the bed of the truck. Water had gotten into the connection underneath at the point of connection. It was rewired and sealed. That was three years ago, so I guess the fix worked.
|
|
|
11-16-2010, 12:59 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North East
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #10758
|
I remember reading that ford has a TSP out for the 2007 - 09 for the 7 pin connector. Seems the back is not sealed and when it rains, the connectors get wet and can short out. My 06 had the same problem. The wire harness plugs into the 7 pin connector, when I unplugged that connection, water ran out. Cleaned it all up, coated everything with dielectric grease and sealed the back of the connector(where the wires from the harness plugged into) with sealant.
Of course, after all the above work, this didn't fix my problem, replacing the 7 pin head on the end of the trailer cable did.
|
|
|
11-16-2010, 01:31 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Fair Oaks
Posts: 320
M.O.C. #6167
|
We had a short in our brakes on the trailer from the wire chaffing on metal. The wiring wasn't wrapped very good and had been cut from rubbing.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|