Electric brake controller

[klacoss]

I have a 2010 dodge 2500 4wd crew long bed with built in trailer brake controller that does not work very well. My question is, how can I replace the controller without creating a problem with the ECM. I'm told the ECM monitors the brake controller. I'd like to use a prodigy if it would be compatible.
Thanks Ken.

 

[SnoKing]

You would better off get the OEM controller working correctly verses a Prodigy. Snoking

 

[MattandLana]

Hi,

Unless the Prodigys have gotten so clever now that they monitor pedal position, I agree with Snoking. The OEM one applies proportional brakes based on how hard you press the pedal, not just on how much the car is decelerating like most aftermarket ones. Maybe I'm out of date though.

But if you do decide to go after-market, I saw a page the other day somewhere in the Mopar online stuff, giving the process for doing the change. Sorry I'm on my handheld at the moment so can't find it, but it was either in (best bet) RamBodyBuilder, or (next best) the Chrysler online circuit diagrams, or (don't think so but I was there recently so just maybe) the CD workshop manual.

In terms of getting the OEM one working right, what's the problem? Too much or too little or something else? Describe the symptoms and maybe someone here can suggest a fix. Some starters, with apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs. Have you tried selecting a different trailer type in your EVIC? I assume you've adjusted the gain? Can you turn it up so high that you can (in a suitably safe location, at <20mph!) momentarily lock the brakes on a smooth surface with the manual override? Are you sure it's the controller and not the trailer plug or wiring?

Good luck anyway.

 

[SnoKing]

Or the trailers brakes not working correctly. A good start is to rewire in a star configuration with heavier gauge wire. Snoking

 

[klacoss]

Electric brake controller.
All wheels on trailer have new magnets and shoes. When I manually apply brakes there is very little braking at the trailer with the gain all the way up! When driving and applying the brakes normally there is little if any trailer braking.
Ken

 

[slingshot383]

That sounds like a bad ground issue, either on the trailer or a little bit of both the trailer and the truck.

 

[SnoKing]

Have you pulled the emergency pin out at the pin box and tried to pull forward. That test will tell you if the truck brakes are working correctly. It should lock the brakes up and not want to move. If it passes that test, then find someone else to pull it around the block and test brakes with a different tow vehicle. SNOKING

 

[klacoss]

Thanks for all the tips. When pull the brake away pin the trailer brakes lock up!! But when I use the manual lever in the truck I think I get about 8V at the trailer wheels. I guess it could be a bad ground or the feed to the controller. I thought it would be easier to just replace the unit but as you have explained that could be another bag of worms! I guess I'll try to fix the origioal controller but sure would be handy to have wiring dia.
Ken

This is the first time using the forum so please excuse any protocall errors and also spelling errors. Not my strong suit!

 

[MattandLana]

if you go to this link and input your VIN you can find the wiring diagrams, including connector locations.

 

[JDean]

To answer your original question, I replaced the ITBM on my 2014 3500 with a P3 brake controller without any problems or complaints from the truck's EVIC. I had it proffesionally installed, but there was an adapter cable that allowed the P3 to use the existing connectors on the truck without any wire cuts or splices. I've been towing a 16K 5th wheel with electric over hydraulic brakes (Dexter) with the P3 for almost a year (on this truck), and it performs just like you would expect it to. The EVIC trailer brake display, of course, only works with the ITBM so it just shows a trailer is never hooked up. - John D

 

[photowrite]

To answer your original question, I replaced the ITBM on my 2014 3500 with a P3 brake controller without any problems or complaints from the truck's EVIC. I had it proffesionally installed, but there was an adapter cable that allowed the P3 to use the existing connectors on the truck without any wire cuts or splices. I've been towing a 16K 5th wheel with electric over hydraulic brakes (Dexter) with the P3 for almost a year (on this truck), and it performs just like you would expect it to. The EVIC trailer brake display, of course, only works with the ITBM so it just shows a trailer is never hooked up. - John D

I have a Tradesman, so the built-in trailer brake controller is not an option, and I'm happy with the Prodigy on my other trucks... But I'm curious why you didn't like or use the built-in controller with your outfit?

 

[Stab]

if you go to this link and input your VIN you can find the wiring diagrams, including connector locations.

Now, that's nice to have! Thx!

 

[Cummins12V98]

To answer your original question, I replaced the ITBM on my 2014 3500 with a P3 brake controller without any problems or complaints from the truck's EVIC. I had it proffesionally installed, but there was an adapter cable that allowed the P3 to use the existing connectors on the truck without any wire cuts or splices. I've been towing a 16K 5th wheel with electric over hydraulic brakes (Dexter) with the P3 for almost a year (on this truck), and it performs just like you would expect it to. The EVIC trailer brake display, of course, only works with the ITBM so it just shows a trailer is never hooked up. - John D

Did you even try the factory controller before installing the P-3?

 

[MattandLana]

You may not need it, but I found the page I was thinking of, about how to install an aftermarket brake controller. It's at RamBodyBuilder, see this link.

On edit: Whoops I see you're a 2010. That page is from the 2014 RamBodyBuilder site - yours may be different. So go to www.rambodybuilder.com and choose 2010, and navigate to the correct sub-page. It's the last one on the 2014 home page.

 

[randygk]

There's a post about the P3 vs the oem internal on Dodge Cummins Forums. All including me went from P3 to internal and found no need for the P3 anymore. I liked my P3 but found the new truck trailer brake controller works great.

 

[JDean]

I have a Tradesman, so the built-in trailer brake controller is not an option, and I'm happy with the Prodigy on my other trucks... But I'm curious why you didn't like or use the built-in controller with your outfit?

I couldn't get the ITBM to fully release the trailer's brakes. See this thread https://www.turbodieselregister.com...controller-compatible-with-Dexter-disk-brakes or it was summarized in TDR issue 86 in the TDRV section if you're curious about the details. - John D

 

[klacoss]

I have a 2010 dodge 2500 4wd crew long bed with built in trailer brake controller that does not work very well. My question is, how can I replace the controller without creating a problem with the ECM. I'm told the ECM monitors the brake controller. I'd like to use a prodigy if it would be compatible.
Thanks Ken.

Thanks for all the help. I have decided to go with the prodigy and stop fighting this factory clunker! I have checked all recommendations and have come to the conclusion that the problem is within the controller itself. This problem I have with the embedded controller has shown up in many other 2010 trucks judging by the forums so it must be a soft spot within.
Ken

 

[SnoKing]

Thanks for all the help. I have decided to go with the prodigy and stop fighting this factory clunker! I have checked all recommendations and have come to the conclusion that the problem is within the controller itself. This problem I have with the embedded controller has shown up in many other 2010 trucks judging by the forums so it must be a soft spot within.
Ken

What does RAM say? Seems like a safety issue they should address. File a complaint on safercar.gov !

 

[photowrite]

I couldn't get the ITBM to fully release the trailer's brakes. See this thread https://www.turbodieselregister.com...controller-compatible-with-Dexter-disk-brakes or it was summarized in TDR issue 86 in the TDRV section if you're curious about the details. - John D

Thanks, I'll look at issue 86.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My 2010 factory controller sucked. Installed a prodigy and it was great. My 2014 factory controller works great so no need to replace it.