Installing a Ford factory trailer brake controller (TBC) in a 2012 F-150

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3 жыл бұрын

This is a 2012 F-150 SuperCrew cab 2WD with the 3.7L V6 FFV engine. It came with the factory tow package, but not the max tow package, and so it did not have a trailer brake controller (TBC). This makes stopping heavy trailers more difficult. In this video, I install and program a Ford factory TBC for better trailer control. Note that the factory brake controller can only be installed after the fact if the vehicle came with the factory tow package (hitch and 7-blade trailer connection). If the tow package is aftermarket, you cannot install a factory TBC, and you must instead get an aftermarket TBC.
These parts and procedures should work for ~2010-2014 F-150s. The trim removal requirements and procedures differ considerably if you have the floor-mounted center-console shifter instead of the column shifter, but the installation and programming are the same. The factory TBC comes with a handy installation sheet.
Here's what I used for this video:
Ford genuine TBC model #BL3Z19H332AA (parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/acc..., which is a kit that includes the TBC and both new fuses you need to install - this is specific to the 2012 model, and different years may have different model numbers
OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter (amzn.to/3iQ8Uy4) - I learned after the fact that this works only with older USB 2.0 ports and not newer (all computers now) USB 3.0 ports; I left a negative review, as you have to also have a USB 2.0-only hub or advanced programming skills to know how to configure your ports to work USB 2.0-only
FORScan software (forscan.org/download.html) - $10 for a 1-year license, $50 for a permanent license (I ran it in Windows 10 using Parallels Desktop for Mac)
Innovative Products 9107A Electric Brake Force Meter and trailer hookup tester (amzn.to/3a6mmdk) - indispensable for more than just installing TBCs

Пікірлер: 39

@aleckinder9203 3 ай бұрын

Dealership wanted to charge me $3-400 for activating in my instrument cluster. You saved me so much money, thank you for the video.

@andycamisa6688 3 ай бұрын

You saved me $170 and a full day of my truck at the dealership. Thanks for posting this

@chrispaul7890 7 ай бұрын

@Nicholas Williams, YOU ROCK!!!!!!! I watched about 10 videos on this before I came to this one. NONE of the others showed the need for updating the truck settings. This is the only video I found which explained the process start to finish and showed us the tools to do it. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I have a working integrated trailer brake controller thanks to you. I love that good videos keep on giving for years.

@linux4me2 Жыл бұрын

EXCELLENT video! Made the job so simple. Hardest part is fishing that plug up the right way so it will connect to the TBC. Keep up the good work!

@markp2865 10 ай бұрын

If you remove the dust cap first, it is much easier to fish the plug up the console.

@jeffreystrong5333 2 жыл бұрын

Big thanks, I was able to install a used factory TBC module with intergrated LCD screen in my 2009 F-150 with a trial edition of the Forscan with OBDLink EX cable.

@jamesricketts6186 2 жыл бұрын

Install went exactly as you described. Thanks

@1nhman Жыл бұрын

Excellent video followed your instructions and everything worked out perfectly, thank you.

@ridgemanyt6154 4 ай бұрын

As others have said,, Great Video! Thanks for taking the time and sharing with us! Best one I've found, and my trailer brake module is now working.

@user-xd1fd4cd8p 7 ай бұрын

Outstanding presentation, I performed this to my 2014 f150 exactly as detailed in the video (with only intermediate skill level-including download and first-time user of FORscan) and it worked flawlessly. Thank you for the post!!

@marcot3013 Жыл бұрын

You saved me so many headaches especially showing the Forscan.

@StevenJamesLRO 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@tpledger100 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting!

@Goingsavage97 3 жыл бұрын

Do you happen to know if you can still install and have it work without the 2” screen on the cluster?

@robwmc 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I have a 2014 F-150 STX and the connector for the controller was plugged into the back of the little cubby, just like the 4x4 connector is plugged into the back of the coin storage. Nice catch about the relay and the fuse. No other videos, that I have seen, mention this.

@CharlieCB85 3 жыл бұрын

I have the same model truck. Did yours work without the LCD screen? Mine just has the basic digital readout, not an LCD screen.

@bdaily3 Жыл бұрын

Thank you brother !! You saved me from looking everywhere for it

@bdaily3 Жыл бұрын

@@CharlieCB85 yeah I have the basic digital readout and it still works

@JaredJanhsen 9 ай бұрын

That harness that's on the back of your coin holder is also used for the Electronic differential lock on 2WD pickups. My 2012 4x2 came with a diff lock. The frustrating part about this install is that Ford has a similar clip to secure the TBC harness into the cubbyhole just like the coin holder. Yet they don't use it for the TBC connector. My TBC harness was taped up under the dash (wasn't a previous owner either, as I bought the truck with 6 miles on it). I guess taping it down there is easier for someone installing like a Tekonsha controller on the kick panel. My 2012 came with a packet that has a pigtail, fuses, and relay for use with a third party brake control.

@wolfnewman9432 Ай бұрын

where does the end of the pigtail connect to ? one end controller the other end Where?

@wilcorpconsultantsllc-just5336 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very detailed and easy to follow. What software do need to turn on and program the module yourself? Dealer in Missouri charging $130 to program it.

@robertkorn 3 жыл бұрын

It's right in his description, you need Forscan and a compatible ODB adapter.

@starmania909 Жыл бұрын

the OBDLink EX cable would not let me access the module to reprogram is there a difference in these cable?

@wolfnewman9432 Ай бұрын

anyone have a picture of where the other end of the pigtail joins into the truck dash wiring connection ... the video shows the end that plugs into the controller but where do the wires connect at the other end ?

@jordanlowe8515 Ай бұрын

This part does not fit in my 2014 f150. So confusing... The actual brake controller is too big for the hole in the trim

@timothydaly4136 2 жыл бұрын

I just did mine works fine no programming Unless you want to see the number on the dash

@rickmobley8521 3 жыл бұрын

I recently did all the installation and took it to ford and had my computer enabled. I tried 2 different trailers but the tbc won't recognize my trailer. It says no trailer connected. Any advice ?

@wilcorpconsultantsllc-just5336 3 жыл бұрын

Try checking then installing the Two Fuses that are required for the trailer brakes.

@tbonetwr1 Жыл бұрын

Did you ever find a fix for this?

@stevetodd306 Жыл бұрын

Can I drive it to after install to have it programmed elsewhere?

@frankrempel8272 Жыл бұрын

Yes, just won't be able to control a trailer. Otherwise the vehicle is still 100% functional.

@mtchbrian 23 күн бұрын

How much is Forscan?

@titancustoms1 Жыл бұрын

Do all trucks come with the wiring at the bumper I can't find mine

@stevetodd306 Жыл бұрын

I read in my manual yesterday that if you don’t have the 7 pin, 4 pin & factory installed receiver hitch, it may not work for your truck(not wired from factory). 2012 XL with tow package

@titancustoms1 Жыл бұрын

Yeah but we do have it one the driver side inner fender so just have to pull to wires to the front (blue and orange)

@Pr.2104 2 жыл бұрын

Would this work on a 09?

@blackman991000 Жыл бұрын

Yes I just did mine make sure to get the oem with the screen read out

@archstanton2411 4 ай бұрын

Do u want to sell the cap?

@rayhaley 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. Everything worked great right up until I searched for the TBC module. I have a 2014 F150 STX and it didn't show in the log. I found another video (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hZuXeMuFxpfGpHU.html) that helped me over the hump. I never saw TBC module but I did find "Brake Gain". Enabled it and now everything works! Hope this helps out those having the same issue.