Brake Controller Error - locked the shifter.

2017 TRD with integrated Brake Controller. Installed a Curt 56070 wiring harness to put another 7-way trailer connector in the front of the bed for a slide-in camper to plug into. After loading camper for the first time, I drove about 30 feet and shut off the truck to finish tightening the tie-down turnbuckles. When I started up the truck again the Brake Controller Error message took over the dash and all the other lights lit up, 4HI 4LO, check engine etc. It also locked the shifter and I had to do the emergency procedure to shift into DRIVE so I could drive home from Telluride, CO - no Toyota dealers anywhere close. Lifted the camper and unplugged the camper from the 7-pin connector. The speedometer and odometer did not work. Made the 180 mile drive home OK. Hooked up to OBD port and got a P0500 code.

Does the brake controller not like having a pickup camper with no brakes or stop/turn signal bulbs connected to the 7-pin harness? I cleared the CEL code but I could not clear a "Permanent" 0500 code. Still have the Brake Controller Error message and all the dash lights and locked shifter.

How best to proceed?

 

I’m betting that your “Stop” fuse for the brake lights is blown.

 

Not the STOP fuse. Checked all other fuses that might be associated with braking, towing etc. All were good.

Permanent P0500 code is for "Speed Sensor A".

 

I must have been tired when I posted that last night, totally missed the speedo / tach not working and the fault code, all of which won’t be a Stop fuse.

I’m not familiar with this exact issue on a Tundra, but the IG1 or IG1 no.2 fuses are the ticket for this on Tacomas, one of which supplies the trailer charge power on the black wire of the 7 pin socket. Worth at least a quick look.

 

Took it to a local shop who scanned it and found a U0122 and a U0129 code. Something about communication between ECU and 4WD ECU. Brake controller error message went away after visiting the shop. He just scanned it and said it was best to take it to a dealer and didn't charge me anything!

The dealer said it might be the "Main" fuse. Checked every fuse that might be a "Main" fuse but I didn't find one labeled "Main".

So I guess it is off to the dealer next Monday unless I can come up with something else to check get lucky.

 

Disconnected the negative cable. No joy. I wonder if there is a small battery in the system to keep the computer(s) powered up - the radio does not lose station presets. NewImprovedRon, thanks for the tip....we are now in SW Colorado, previously lived in Batesville, AR.

 

Yes, I grew up in Tuckerman - near Newport - delta, row crop country. Always loved to watch skiing on ABC Wide World of Sports. Really enjoy it here, lots to do outside - year round. And you, native Arkansan?

 

Turns out that there was an aftermarket GPS tracking security system (what the tech called it) and it evidently locked the shifter when I plugged in the camper. There was also a short in the wiring for the trailer wiring due to pinching the wires when the camper tie downs were installed (my error.) The GPS secruity system was removed and the shorted wires repaired and now all is good. Thanks to you who provided ideas on what to check.

 

Just curious, what’s this emergency procedure?

 

Remove small plastic plug to the left of the shifter. Start truck, with foot on brake insert screwdriver into hole where the plug was removed and press down. Shift lever will now move out of park.

It is in the owners manual. I just happened to be flipping thru the manual a couple of days before this happened. Otherwise, I might not have remembered the procedure existed.

 

Awesome, thanks