Trailer Brake Control Function

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The gain buttons set the TBM for specific towing conditions such as trailer load, vehicle load, road conditions and weather. The gain is normally set to provide maximum trailer braking while maintaining trailer stability. For information on setting the trailer brake gain, refer to the Owner's Literature.

The manual slider switch on the TBM activates the trailer brakes independently from the vehicle brakes. The manual slider is used in conjunction with the gain buttons during initial adjustment and setup of the trailer brakes. When the manual slider switch is activated with a trailer connected to the vehicle, the trailer stoplamps and the vehicle stoplamps illuminate. Activating the manual slider switch without a trailer connected to the vehicle illuminates the vehicle stoplamps.

Once the driver sets the desired gain, the TBM monitors the CAN messages from the PCM, ABS module, BCM and IPC as well as the manual slider switch input to determine if trailer braking is necessary. If trailer braking is necessary, the TBM sends a PWM signal to the trailer to activate the trailer brakes.

TBM Wake Up

NOTE: These conditions require a trailer not be connected to the trailer tow connector.

The following conditions describe the normal operation of the TBM at start up.

When the ignition is set to the ON position and the manual lever is set all the way to the left with a gain of 10, the message center should display TRAILER DISCONNECTED. At the same time, with the vehicle stationary, battery voltage should be present at pin 3 of trailer tow connector C4099.

When not braking the TBM sends a voltage pulse every 4 seconds to pin 3 of the trailer tow connector to determine if a trailer is connected to the trailer tow connector.

TBM Message Center Messages

The TBM continually monitors the trailer brake system operation and trailer connectivity. The TBM sends system operation information such as gain setting and relative braking power to other modules over the HS-CAN2. If a system fault or a trailer connectivity issue is detected, the TBM sends a message to the GWM along the HS-CAN2. The GWM sends this message to the IPC along the HS-CAN3. When the IPC receives a trailer brake message from the GWM, one or more of the following messages is displayed in the message center:

TRAILER BRAKE GAIN = XX. X NO TRAILER - Shows the current gain setting for the current ignition cycle and when adjusting the gain. This message also displays if the manual slider switch or gain buttons are used without a trailer connected.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT - Displays in response to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) reported by the TBM, accompanied by a single audible chime. When this message appears, the system may still function, but performance may be degraded.
TRAILER CONNECTED - Displays when the TBM detects a correct trailer wiring connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) during the current ignition cycle.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED - Displays when the TBM detects a trailer connection and then a disconnection, either intentional or unintentional, during the current ignition cycle, the display is accompanied by a single audible chime. This message also displays if a vehicle or trailer-wiring fault occurs causing the trailer to appear disconnected, or if the manual slider switch is activated without a trailer connected.
TRAILER WIRING FAULT - Displays when there is a short circuit on the TBMPWM output signal circuit. If the message is displayed and accompanied by a single audible chime, without a trailer connected, the concern is in the vehicle wiring. If the message only displays with a trailer connected, the concern is in the trailer wiring.