2013 Multiplex wiring on Ram truck changes.

[Jim W]

This was posted on another Cummins forum site from “ Southwestwheel” . He has stated that he received a TB from Tekonsha. This TB stated the following information. So I just thought I would post this in the 2013 treads to see if anyone has seen the following TB also or can this be confirmed to be true?

And I quote “Just got a technical bulletin TB13-01 from Tekonsha that I thought I would share with you guys.



The electrical system on the 2013 Ram trucks has changed. Though the

brake control connector is the same as the 2010-2012, the wire functions

have changed. The terminal that used to be the stop light signal, now has

battery voltage, whenever the ignition is in the run position. According to

Dodge, it is not possible to install an aftermarket electric trailer brake control

into these trucks. Dodge states, “the 2013 Ram has ‘Powernet’ and utilizes

multiplex wiring that is different from any previous designs, therefore,

aftermarket trailer brake controls are not compatible. ”



At this time, the only aftermarket brake control that can be used on a 2013 Ram truck, is the Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy® RF. As soon as more information is available, a revision to this technical bulletin will be sent out.



Any attempt to install an aftermarket brake control into the vehicle

may cause severe damage to the vehicle’s electrical system or

electrical component!



In other words Dodge wants you to buy their integrated control or else! “



Jim W.

 

[JHumphries]

Nothing a few replacement wires, and a limit switch can't fix!
The plug gives you ignition hot, the pressure sensor for the Maxbrake should still be able to be installed. Run a new wire to the plugs. If you can't connect to the brake pedal switch, just mount a new one.

 

[HBarlow]

Nothing a few replacement wires, and a limit switch can't fix!
The plug gives you ignition hot, the pressure sensor for the Maxbrake should still be able to be installed. Run a new wire to the plugs. If you can't connect to the brake pedal switch, just mount a new one.

That was exactly my thought as I read the op.

The MaxBrake requires 12 volts to power it, a ground connection, and hydraulic pressure supplied by the driver's right foot on the brake pedal. A third wire routes the trailer brake signal back to the 7 pin connector and on to the trailer's electric brakes. A fourth wire is connected to the trailer brake light circuit but I think that is only required to activate the truck and trailer's brake lights when trailer braking is applied manually by the override lever or button on the controller to inform following motorists.

All four of those connections could be made without tapping into the truck's complex computerized electrical system.

 

[sag2]

This isn't some conspiracy by Dodge to get you to use their ITB, although I'm sure they would love to sell you theirs. It is more that the electrical architecture has changed, and the aftermarket is caught with their shorts down. The aftermarket has to have access to the trucks in order to engineer their product to work with each truck. They then have to engineer, test, and manufacture their new product. Of course the aftermarket is not going to be ready when the first improved truck hits the street; it takes time to engineer their product once they get their hands on the truck.

And if you saw all the problems aftermarket products cause the OEM's in customer satisfaction and warranty, you would probably wish you could limit the sale of aftermarket products.

 

[BILLUA]

I am really going to miss my BrakeSmart when my 13 comes in. I will have to utilize the ITB until MaxBrake catches up.

 

[RVTRKN]

Just isolate the brake signal from the truck and it will send whatever voltage it decides to, to nothing. Install the Brake smart as a stand alone unit, and the truck will never know its installed. Make sure to add an auto reseting circuit breaker to the positive side of your power input at the battery (I don't know what the amp value would be. ) to the Brake Smart controller. Then connect the brake signal from the controller to the 7pin connector. You can leave the brake light signal off. You very rarely use the hand brake so if or when you use the function, who cares. Your brake lights wont light up if your EB is engaged, so if the hand brake is used, its only going to apply the trailer brakes anyway.

 

[RVTRKN]

This was posted on another Cummins forum site from “ Southwestwheel” . He has stated that he received a TB from Tekonsha. This TB stated the following information. So I just thought I would post this in the 2013 treads to see if anyone has seen the following TB also or can this be confirmed to be true?
And I quote “Just got a technical bulletin TB13-01 from Tekonsha that I thought I would share with you guys.

The electrical system on the 2013 Ram trucks has changed. Though the
brake control connector is the same as the 2010-2012, the wire functions
have changed. The terminal that used to be the stop light signal, now has
battery voltage, whenever the ignition is in the run position. According to
Dodge, it is not possible to install an aftermarket electric trailer brake control
into these trucks. Dodge states, “the 2013 Ram has ‘Powernet' and utilizes
multiplex wiring that is different from any previous designs, therefore,
aftermarket trailer brake controls are not compatible. ”

At this time, the only aftermarket brake control that can be used on a 2013 Ram truck, is the Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy® RF. As soon as more information is available, a revision to this technical bulletin will be sent out.

Any attempt to install an aftermarket brake control into the vehicle
may cause severe damage to the vehicle's electrical system or
electrical component!

In other words Dodge wants you to buy their integrated control or else! “

Jim W.

Thats if you plug it into the factory harness, stand alone will work, but why go through the expense for an inferior controller.

 

[HBarlow]

I am really going to miss my BrakeSmart when my 13 comes in. I will have to utilize the ITB until MaxBrake catches up.

In my opinion it is questionable, even doubtful, that MaxBrake will bother to attempt to reengineer their very successful controller to use on a truck which is offered with an OEM marginally functional brake controller which many will accept.

SouthWestWheel obviously had a motive for the post that started this thread. They sell junk Tekonsha paper weights and do not sell MaxBrake controllers.