Trailer Break Override triggers ABS and VSC dash light

[mbargetzi]

I just installed a Electric Trailer break Controller on 2014 T4R. Simple install, harness came with the factory tow package, just soldered the wires to the break controller. On my test run, the trailer breaks worked as expected. However when I tested the the override button, it triggered ABS and VSC dash light. Checked the computer for codes, none reported. On shutting the vehicle off and back on, the lights go out. Any Ideas why this is happening?

thanks for your help.

 

[dsfra]

No one else has jumped in here, so here's my stab at it. I assume that when you refer to the "override button", that you're talking about a way to manually send voltage to the trailer brakes. The only controller I have experience with is the Prodigy P2, and it has a lever on the bottom that can be used to manually apply the trailer brakes, i.e. independently of tow vehicle deceleration. I don't know much about the inner workings of the ABS and VSC, but I'm wondering if "The System" in some way is sensing that the vehicle is decelerating even when the throttle position and lack of braking say that it should not be decelerating, and that is somehow confusing the ABS and/or VSC.

FWIW, I have played around quite a bit with manually applying the trailer brakes, and have never had the ABS or VSC lights go on. But I've always dpne it while going straight; maybe VSC gets confused if you're turning at the time?

 

[Titanpat57]

No one else has jumped in here, so here's my stab at it. I assume that when you refer to the "override button", that you're talking about a way to manually send voltage to the trailer brakes. The only controller I have experience with is the Prodigy P2, and it has a lever on the bottom that can be used to manually apply the trailer brakes, i.e. independently of tow vehicle deceleration. I don't know much about the inner workings of the ABS and VSC, but I'm wondering if "The System" in some way is sensing that the vehicle is decelerating even when the throttle position and lack of braking say that it should not be decelerating, and that is somehow confusing the ABS and/or VSC.

FWIW, I have played around quite a bit with manually applying the trailer brakes, and have never had the ABS or VSC lights go on. But I've always dpne it while going straight; maybe VSC gets confused if you're turning at the time?

Same exact scenario here....

Make sure you're harness is properly grounded, not sure why it would affect anything but it seems like it may be back feeding into the system. Is it a cheap controller?

 

[ebg18t]

Which brake controller are you using? As mentioned earlier were you going straight or could the wheel have been turned when you activated the brake manually? I run the prodigy P3 and just used the plug in harness. I wonder if any if you wires aren't quite right?

 

[badhabits]

I noticed that you said you soldered the wires to the controller. Most controller manufactures make harnesses that plug into the jack on the vehicle and then into the controller. i wonder if you crossed the wires when you soldered them to the controller.

 

[dsfra]

Make sure you're harness is properly grounded, not sure why it would affect anything but it seems like it may be back feeding into the system.

Good point.

You might want to have a look at one of the videos at https://www.etrailer.com/p-3040-P.html. The 2004 4Runner installation video is pretty much applicable to the 5th gen. At 1:12 in the video the guy talks about the need to ground the white ground wire. From what I've heard, it's really important to get a good ground connection for this wire to avoid problems with the controller. No idea if these "problems" can somehow impact ABS / VSC, but it never hurts to have things well grounded.

 

[itsdchz]

Just had this happen to me while using the Prodigy P3's manual lever to set the trailer power level for the brakes the first time. I was fine hooking up, testing lights, and pulling out, but as soon as I flexed the manual brake lever on the P3 the ABS light and Traction warning lights came on and have stood on. Any ideas, as this thread didn't ever provide a solve for this.
Any help would be appreciated!

 

[itsdchz]

Monday morning before we leave on trip idea?

 

[gm350reratliff]

If you are using the trailer brake harness that is under the dash and your brake controller is properly connected, it sounds as if the 4runners wiring is only setup to provide a signal telling the controller to start applying the trailer brakes and not accept a signal from the controller for the brake lights. In the case of manually applying the brake controller without applying the vehicle brakes, the 4runner is seeing the brake light signal but nothing from the actual pedal so the ABS computer thinks something is wrong. If this is true, this would be a huge oversight by Toyota as all the domestics can and do operate this way. I Would bring this up with Toyota themselves.

If they are unwilling/unable to help, you could try wiring in a diode on the brake sense wire.

 

[itsdchz]

Makes perfect sense! I will reset code, and not use the manual override, and monitor. Thank you!

 

[pbcolt]

Well this has the potential to be frustrating... Just about to pull the trigger on a Tekonsha P3 and I really like the idea of being able to manually apply brakes on anything technical or downhill but not if it starts throwing codes.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Hopefully it is something that can be taken care of with just an update to the ABS. If not, adding a relay to interrupt the signal from the brake controller to the vehicle may be the best bet (I originally said diode but giving it further thought, I feel a relay would be better). The only downside is there would be no brake lights when manually using the brake controller.

 

[itsdchz]

Thanks for the responses! Especially for the advice!
When I started up the 4Runner with the trailer hooked up thus morning, all lights were gone. Drive to DIY car wash, and back, no warning lights. Must be the override. I will change the ground connection when I return, but for now we should be good to go!

 

[pbcolt]

Thanks for the responses! Especially for the advice!
When I started up the 4Runner with the trailer hooked up thus morning, all lights were gone. Drive to DIY car wash, and back, no warning lights. Must be the override. I will change the ground connection when I return, but for now we should be good to go!

Unrelated but nice set-up! I definitely want to get one of those Hood River Edition Rpod's at some point.

 

[Carolina Roscoe]

Just had this happen to me while using the Prodigy P3's manual lever to set the trailer power level for the brakes the first time. I was fine hooking up, testing lights, and pulling out, but as soon as I flexed the manual brake lever on the P3 the ABS light and Traction warning lights came on and have stood on. Any ideas, as this thread didn't ever provide a solve for this.
Any help would be appreciated!

Exact same thing happened to me. I just don't use the manual slide.:noidea:

 

[Rico]

I had the same thing the first time applying the manual brake. A restart of the truck made it all go away and I avoid using the manual brake now that I've got it set up.

On a related note, has anyone found a decent spot to mount their controllers? I put mine down under the lip of the dash (didn't want to put holes in my new dash) in front of the parking brake. Wondering if there's a better option that doesn't require pulling apart the dash?

 

[pbcolt]

I wonder what Toyota has to say about this...

 

[gm350reratliff]

I wonder what Toyota has to say about this...

That's what I was thinking. Maybe [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] can check into this.

No lights should come on with manually braking a trailer. That is just normal procedure for getting the brake controller adjusted.

 

[badhabits]

I had the same thing the first time applying the manual brake. A restart of the truck made it all go away and I avoid using the manual brake now that I've got it set up.

On a related note, has anyone found a decent spot to mount their controllers? I put mine down under the lip of the dash (didn't want to put holes in my new dash) in front of the parking brake. Wondering if there's a better option that doesn't require pulling apart the dash?

If you are using a P2 or P3 controller they do not have to be mounted level "front to rear" so I just used Velcro to mount to front of the panel on the left of the steering wheel.

 

[Lederman]

Sorry to thread jack but my search was unsuccessful. When towing a trailer the T4R is charging the trailer's battery. If, when the T4R is off but still plugged into the trailer, the trailer battery becomes depleted will the trailer then deplete the T4R battery? Or is the 7 pin connector only hot when the vehicle is running?

Thank you for your thoughtful advice.