More on the POS Brake Controller

[stick]

I hooked up my fifth wheel today to make sure the controller worked. Well guess what, nothing. Come to find out the controller will not work with hydraulic (disc) brakes, which my trailer has. What a piece of junk. Now i have to figure out the wireing, so i can install my Brakesmart from my 03. The 2011 has a different wireing plug than the 2003.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

PM Domehead or do a search for his posts a couple weeks back.

I helped Domehead write up the details of his conversion from OEM integrated controller to MaxBrake for a TDR article.

He disabled the worthless factory brake controller in his new 2010 and replaced it with a MaxBrake. He can also tell you how to delete the OEM integrated controller in your truck.

 

[stick]

Thanks Harvey:

I was keeping up on those post from domehead. My conserns are the wireing from the Smartbrake to the new truck, because the new truck uses a different wireing connector than the 2003, so i will have to splice into it. The plumbing should be no problem. From what i understand i will have to get a dealer to delete the factory controller from the system.



Stick

 

[RustyJC]

Well, we'll be taking the 5th wheel out in early October, so I guess we'll see how the factory brake controller compares to the Jordan Ultima 2020 I used in our 2002. I'm not very encouraged based on the comments so far - I can see a MaxBrake in my future.



Rusty

 

[HBarlow]

Domehead explained that he had to go to his Dodge dealer and ask them to delete the factory controller. The dealer has to request a special mini-reflash for a specific truck only, by VIN. He said Dodge sends the reflash software out via their internet link with dealers after about a 24 hour delay. The software reflash deletes the sales code for integrated brake controller in effect telling the truck's computers the OEM integrated controller is not installed.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks Harvey:
I was keeping up on those post from domehead. My conserns are the wireing from the Smartbrake to the new truck, because the new truck uses a different wireing connector than the 2003, so i will have to splice into it. The plumbing should be no problem. From what i understand i will have to get a dealer to delete the factory controller from the system.

Stick

Stick,

I know absolutely nothing about the new Gen IV trucks so cannot offer any specific information about their unique wiring harnesses.

All that is needed to power and connect the BrakeSmart or MaxBrake are four wires. They can probably be found in a bundle under the dash adjacent to the steering column.

Black wire to the brake controller is 12vdc always hot, white is chassis ground, red is 12vdc hot only when truck service brake pedal is pressed (from the stop light switch), and the blue wire is brake signal output from controller to truck's brake wiring harness.

Splicing and soldering the connector in should be fairly simple once you use a test light to identify the four wires above.