Trailer Brake Controller Questions

Kerwin

Member
I am trying to install a brake controller in a 1999 Ford Explorer. Controller is by Tekonsha and is flat, retangular unit with a proportional slider, manual apply switch, and a dial on the underside. Controller works, was in a different vehicle that has been replaced by Explorer. Controller has 4 wires: Power, ground, brake output, and stoplight input.

First question is, what does the dial on the underside of controller do?

I thought I had it all connected correctly (trailer lights all worked, red light on controller lit up when pressing on brake pedal). However, when I step on the brake pedal, the right turn indicator on the dash glows (not bright) and there is the smell of something shorting out. I'll have to check the 6-way plugs to make sure all wires are tight and not shorting out, but it almost seems like it's back-feeding the right turn signal circuit to illuminate the dash indicator.

The controller is mounted at more of an angle under the dash of the Explorer as compared to first vehicle, does that affect controller operation? I've read about some controllers requiring certain angles of mounting.

Thoughts?
 

Yours sounds very similar to mine. The dial on the underside controls how much electricity is being fed to the trailer brakes. You can back it off when the trailer is empty to prevent sliding the tires, and dial it up for heavier loads.

I can't answer the other question, other than to think that MAYBE the problem is with the vehicle, and NOT the Tekonsha.
 
Thanks for the reply. I always thought that the slider on the front of the controller was for varying the amount of current to the trailer brakes. I
would slide that to get the brakes to set more/less.
 
The roller underneath sets the aggressiveness of the application time.
The Smell .... Could be wiring melting in your tow vehicle.
Most vehicles now require a connection harness from the manufacturer.
I do not know about your ford.
The last vehicle I "wired into" was a 1992 Chevy.
 
(quoted from post at 11:29:18 07/17/17) Thanks for the reply. I always thought that the slider on the front of the controller was for varying the amount of current to the trailer brakes. I
would slide that to get the brakes to set more/less.

The slider on the front is the hand control. It lets you apply power to the trailer brakes independtly of the tow vehicle. The further you slide the hand control, the more braking force will be applied.
 
Techonsha does sell controllers that need to be level within a range. If that is what you have there will be a lever on the side, usually white. The controller needs to be installed so that lever can be straight up and down. The dial control is to set brake power. As far as the turn signal light you have a wire crossed somewhere. I would start checking the plug to see if your brake wire is shorting to the turn signal. If you didn't run a 10 ga wire for brakes that wire could be burning up.
 
Yeah, I figure that something is melting when the brake pedal is getting pressed, reason for smell. Just wondering what would be shorting out and would cause the right turn dash indicator to glow at the same time. I'll have to start back at the trailer to see if the brake output is crossed with the right turn signals, although they work fine on the vehicle/trailer.
 
Does the controller have another slider on top on the left side with # 1-5, if it does, like my old one, that is the adjuster for how much stopping strength percentage goes to the trailer, the dial underneath needs to be adjusted to the angle the unit is mounted in the vehicle. I can look for my old instructions for it later on if needed, you might also be able to find a manual by doing a search on the model number of the unit.
 
Yes, it has a slider on the front and a manual apply switch. Why does/or what is being done by the dial underneath when setting controller for angle of mounting?
 
The dial in the middle bottom on mine was to control a pendulum which is set for the angle it is mounted in the vehicle. IIRC you push the brake pedal when standing still and turn that dial until the light barely comes on or flickers ?
 
The turn signal light coming on is feed back from the controller output. Somehow the brake output is connected to the left turn signal. Try disconnecting the trailer, see if the problem goes away, and double check the connections in the truck plug. If that fixes it, there is a problem in the trailer wiring.

The knob underneath is the gain. You adjust that to set the sensitivity of the trailer brakes.

Usually a good method is to make a series of stops from about 20 MPH on level, dry pavement, set it so the brakes don't lock, and you get a good feel for them. That will need to be adjusted for each trailer and depending on the load.



As far as the angle, if it is the "swinging pendulum" type, yes it will make a difference. Once the wiring is right, and you play with the gain, try it, see if it works. If not, try leveling it out, reset the gain, give it another try.
 
(quoted from post at 12:03:06 07/17/17) Why not just read the owners manual on Tekonshas website, then print a copy so you have it?????
What Scott said, X2.

I have the Tekonsha P3, model #90195. It works GREAT(!!) and will work in any position. Normally I'm not one for all the electronics jazz in things, but this unit is awesome. The potential problem I find with units that have to remain fairly level is, what happens when your truck ISN'T level enough? Do you still have trailer brakes? If your model has to remain fairly level, I'd recommend getting a different model.

As for the slider on top, if you ever want or need to apply a little braking action to the trailer without engaging the truck, then you would manually use that slider. You can also use the slider to hold/lock the trailer under slippery conditions (think ice) while you finish backing up to it....assuming your wiring harness lead is long enough.

The dial underneath adjusts how much braking power is applied to the trailer brakes when you hit the truck brakes.

One more thing to consider is that some vehicles to better with one type of controller while others work better with another. These two different types are "Proportional" and "Impulse". The Impulse is also known as a "Time Delay" controller.

I was sold one for a 1996 GMC 3/4-ton Suburban and, as I didn't know the difference, I just handed them my money. I absolutely HATED how it kept surging when I'd step on the brake, but then that's how the Impulse controllers work - with "pulses" of braking action. I think these work with newer vehicles, but on the truck I drive, I gotta have Proportional - meaning if I lightly step on the brakes, I get continuously light braking action. If I hit the brakes hard, then the brakes engage hard! With the Impulse, it works TOTALLY different!

So my best advice is, make sure of what you have, AND what you need (what the vehicle prefers). Also, there is a TON of information on the eTrailer website. I'd highly recommend spending some quality time there. If you're not much for reading, they have a toll free number, and I think also a chat service from their website.
 
another thought on the glowing light: check all the grounds for all the light assemblies having anything to do with turn signals or brakes. On modern vehicles, this may well include park lights as well. That isn't going to explain bad smells, though, maybe your diet? I have that problem if I eat too many eggs. But I love eggs.
 

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