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Problems With Integrated Brake Controller?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Bistrostyle, Nov 14, 2018.

  1. Nov 14, 2018 at 11:39 PM
    #1
    Bistrostyle

    Bistrostyle [OP] New Member

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    Hi All,

    I am new to this forum but have been madly researching issues with integrated brake controllers on brand new 2018 Toyota Tundra’s and came across this forum. I bought a brand new 2018 Tundra Crewmax Limited under 30 days ago and have been troubleshooting my trailer disconnect error on the truck issue ever since. My trailer is also a 2018 and when I took both to the dealerships I was able to confirm there is an issue with the integrated brake controller and that it is an emerging issue. Considering this is a piece of safety equipment that makes it unsafe to tow without it I have escalated my issue, but so far have no resolution.

    I will go into more details later with specifics about the ongoing saga with dealership, regional, and corporate communications I have had on this and how I am proceeding to push for a legitimate fix for this defect rather than a non factory workaround, but I wanted to ask here if anyone else has experience trailer disconnect issues with your 2018 OR 2019 Tundra that came equipped with the integrated brake controller?

    Any insights, thoughts, experiences, or a shoulder to cry on would be greatly appreciated. Sigh! ;)

    Thanks,
    Chris

    907D4134-CF24-484C-A2B8-48D1368E1FA2.jpg
     
    lewisdirk4x4 and troy1976 like this.
  2. Nov 15, 2018 at 12:08 AM
    #2
    bj46-taco-tundra

    bj46-taco-tundra New Member

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    Welcome to the forum. I too have experienced the disconnect error flash but for me it was a connection issue on the trailer ground end.

    However, my greatest complaint with the factory brake controller was that it (in its early stages more so), never put out enough power to safely operate the trailer brakes. It was a know issue and Toyota finally releases a service bulletin to address the issue.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/factory-brake-controller-issues.5103/

    Good luck on your search for answers.
     
    Bistrostyle[OP] likes this.
  3. Nov 15, 2018 at 12:53 AM
    #3
    easleycrawler

    easleycrawler TOYOTA ADDICT- SSEM #78

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  4. Nov 15, 2018 at 12:58 AM
    #4
    easleycrawler

    easleycrawler TOYOTA ADDICT- SSEM #78

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  5. Nov 15, 2018 at 4:38 AM
    #5
    ldale

    ldale New Member

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    I agree 100% with the OP, we should not "Have" to mod our Brake Controllers to be safe. I went with an aftermarket setup on my previous 16' tundra, but I am holding out for a Factory Fix this time.
    I would like to hear from others that have experience with "other" brands that come equipped with OEM IBC's. Are you confident in these to the point that you are 100% ok to tow with your family on board?
    I am glad there are working options for this problem, but it still rests solely on Toyota to "Fix" this issue for the many loyal customers that rely on their reliability that we have come to expect from them.
     
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  6. Nov 15, 2018 at 4:47 PM
    #6
    PA452

    PA452 New Member

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    I was worried about this when I was looking to buy a Tundra, kept reading about issues with the IBC. I'm happy to report though, no issues with mine yet, I like it a lot. I've had it about 3.5 months now and I've done a fair amount of towing with my 16' dual axle landscape utility. I was keeping my Tekonsha P3 that I used in my last Tacoma around just in case I was going to need it, but at this point I'm satisfied with my confidence in the OEM IBC and plan to sell the Tekonsha. Not that the Tekonsha wasn't a great brake controller, but I'm really liking having it integrated.
     
    Bistrostyle[OP] and ldale like this.
  7. Nov 24, 2018 at 7:56 AM
    #7
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    How did you do to set it properly? I hooked my trailer up and followed the step by step and the only time I feel the brakes work is if I manually do it. Took it to the dealer and they did the update and still nothing. If I put it on electric over hydrolic you can feel it grab but I think it’s grabbing too much and I don’t have hydrolic brakes on my travel trailer.
     
    Bistrostyle[OP] likes this.
  8. Nov 24, 2018 at 8:16 AM
    #8
    Rob371

    Rob371 New Member

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    I'm not familiar with the new IBC. Doesn't it have the ability to manually increase or decrease voltage to the trailer brakes? My controller is an aftermarket that came with the truck. I adjust it frequently depending on driving conditions, traffic, etc... In slower traffic I turn it down so it doesn't grab. If I plan to be in faster traffic, or rain, or snow, I turn it up a little bit at a time and do a few test brakes.
     
    Bistrostyle[OP] likes this.
  9. Nov 24, 2018 at 9:13 AM
    #9
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    It works around the same, you set the gain and hit the manual braking till it pulls hard. The only time i feel it is when I manually activate it. Normal braking I feel nothing. Emergency braking I feel nothing. Also on the display no matter how hard I hit the brakes it shows that its fully engaging the brakes but I feel nothing. I had a P2 in my 07 Tundra that worked great.
     
    Bistrostyle[OP] likes this.
  10. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:02 AM
    #10
    Bistrostyle

    Bistrostyle [OP] New Member

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    What year is your truck? As of now Toyot does not have a fix for the 2018 or 2019 Tundra and the issue is intermittent with various trailers but the issue is on the truck side. I have escalated this to regional and corporate and have confirmation of this is writing. They “hope” to have a fix is January!

    Do you get a disconnect warning? Does the little green trailer light come in showing you have a trailer connected? Have you increased the gain and does that change the behavior?
     
  11. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:12 AM
    #11
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    No disconnect issues. It shows the trailer. My truck is a 16. Update was done yesterday. Only feel it using manual gain. If I touch the brakes the output shows full but the trailer is still pushing. I have tried the gain all the way up too.
     
  12. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:18 AM
    #12
    Bistrostyle

    Bistrostyle [OP] New Member

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    So you feel it grab more when you use the manual override? At gain 10 does the manual override give you heavy braking?
     
  13. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:21 AM
    #13
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    It’s not locking up but very close to locking up when it’s set to 10 and I manually override it.
     
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  14. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:24 AM
    #14
    Bistrostyle

    Bistrostyle [OP] New Member

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    I’d take it back in and demand they replace your IBC unit or replace with after market. I have heard this is a very common complaint with “the fix” which basically make the IBC stupid....
     
  15. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:25 AM
    #15
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    That may be my next move.
     
  16. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:31 AM
    #16
    Bistrostyle

    Bistrostyle [OP] New Member

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    Femember it is a piece of safety equipment and you feel unsafe towing without a fully functional brake controller. Sent it to the service manager directly via email, be nice but firm at the same time
     
  17. Nov 24, 2018 at 11:11 AM
    #17
    Rob371

    Rob371 New Member

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    You can verify truck operation with trailer disconnected. Measure output voltage at trailer plug with a volt meter while gradually increasing gain. Just depress the pedal with a stick or something wedged between seat and pedal. Full output should be close to charging voltage when running, or battery voltage when static. Some loss is anticipated from measurement at battery versus measurement at trailer plug output. Maybe a half volt or so. If that seems all good then start looking at the integrity of wiring on trailer. You can buy a decent DVOM from radio shack or get a Craftsmen for under a hundred bucks. I use a fluke but I use it daily, you don't need to spend that kind of money on one. The cheaper ones work just fine.

    Trailer plug.jpg
     
  18. Nov 24, 2018 at 11:18 AM
    #18
    BOBONTUESDAY

    BOBONTUESDAY Grocery Getter

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    The ibc blows. First time I haven't had an aftermarket brake controller.
    I manual it every time I want to stop unless I feel like using up my truck brakes. I'll be putting in the p3 as soon as it comes in. My p2 was so much better than this factory garbage.
     
    lilharv321 likes this.
  19. Nov 24, 2018 at 3:28 PM
    #19
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    I’m gonna try this tomm. I have a multimeter. Used to be an installer. Thanks for the schematics. I’ll have my fiancé hit the brakes and check it out.
     
    Rob371 likes this.
  20. Nov 27, 2018 at 1:38 PM
    #20
    Jpagansr

    Jpagansr New Member

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    Currently @ Toyota getting break controller looked at after my trip to Sadona this past weekend, kept getting trailer disconnected and breaks not working on trailer.
     
  21. Nov 27, 2018 at 2:15 PM
    #21
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    If you go over to towing, there are a number of threads on this issue. It is a very unsafe situation. Any chance you want to post what you have in writing from Toyota? There are a number of people here that have had a terrible time at the dealership and it would probably help.
     
  22. Nov 27, 2018 at 2:53 PM
    #22
    Jpagansr

    Jpagansr New Member

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    Will do
     
  23. Nov 27, 2018 at 4:48 PM
    #23
    Jpagansr

    Jpagansr New Member

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    So they tested everything on truck and came back clean so they are asking me to bring truck back with trailer hooked up to try to replicate the problem but I will say I'm not getting any push back at all they are willing to do whatever it takes to fix the issue I will keep you posted
     
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  24. Nov 27, 2018 at 6:31 PM
    #24
    JeremyGSU

    JeremyGSU New Member

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    Personally, I wouldn't screw around with it anymore. I've been reading these threads since 2016 when they first came out and keep on reading them. Here is another of many.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-tundra-trd-off-road-brake-controller.21486/#post-642382

    When I bought my '16 last year the first thing I did was ditch the factory controller and get something that I knew worked. With the ESP kit on the dash it looks almost factory.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/tek...arness-and-esp-mounting-kit-feeler-sold.4052/

    [​IMG]
     
  25. Sep 18, 2019 at 11:34 AM
    #25
    BobT

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    I have a 2016 Toyota Tundra and my brake controller has no worked correctly from the beginning! I am still wrestling with it! My local shop claims the truck is fine. I've had my truck and horse trailer in their several times (as it is right now). I also had my horse trailer checked by 2 different tow shops who claim my trailer is fine. Lastly other have towed my trailer with NO BRAKE issues!

    My symptoms are brake work intermittently and can flash in and out (i.e. working then not working). Also at times the brake gain doesn't work at all meaning trailer brakes are grabby at 1 Gain and they are at 7 also seems like the brakes never fully release so towing my lightweight trailer feels jerky at times. With the trailer empty I shouldn't even feel it on!

    I have gotten the attached error message at times.

    I would great appreciate any feedback or advice anyone might have!

    Bob T - 2016 Tundra Trailer Brake Issue Ongoing.jpg
     
  26. Sep 18, 2019 at 11:39 AM
    #26
    lilharv321

    lilharv321 New Member

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    I had mine at the dealer and they had no answer for why it wasn’t working properly. They updated it and it made no difference. I ripped it out and put in a p3. Works perfect.
     
  27. Sep 18, 2019 at 6:52 PM
    #27
    gratefuljed

    gratefuljed New Member

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    yeppers, my 2019 is always showing disconnected, except when I don't have a trailer on it.
     
  28. Sep 18, 2019 at 7:15 PM
    #28
    Bravohook

    Bravohook New Member

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    Cool Things
  29. Sep 18, 2019 at 7:29 PM
    #29
    BobT

    BobT New Member

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    Thanks for all of your responses! I appreciate it! Looks like I'm going to need to pull out the factory one and use one of the above! On the P3, what does that run and also did you have someone install? If so, what was the total cost? Just trying to get a feel for the total cost (controller + installation). Thanks again for all of your help!
     
  30. Sep 18, 2019 at 7:42 PM
    #30
    Bravohook

    Bravohook New Member

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    They are super easy to install. Go to etrailer.com and watch some of the install videos. It took me about 25 min to take out mine and put my new one on.
     
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