Mopar Trailer Brake Controller - Problem

[NOLA_Gladiator]

I have searched the threads and I have not come across this issue yet. 22 Gladiator Rubicon here with the factory tow package. I added the Mopar trailer brake controller today part number 82215652AD but after I installed it I noticed the Tail lights / break lights are lit up. The vehicle is off, trailer is not connected and no one in the vehicle is stepping on the breaks! I took out my 7 pin tester and it shows exactly what I see that both Left Turn and Right Turn are lit up and a signal is being sent to the brakes. I connected it to the trailer and it appears to function as expected, but did not drive it yet. When I disconnect it and turn the truck off the brake lights come on again!!! I'm baffled.

My thought is that the new module is bad or the wiring harness for the module is incorrect. I can't find a schematic diagram of the module to confirm any shorts or crosses, but did verify that the pinout on the cable matches the factory pinout as seen in the following table. Additionally, I checked the module's wiring harness for shorts, but nothing unusual showed up. When I unplugged the module the truck it functions normally including when connecting to the trailer. Any ideas or has anyone had this problem?

Gladiator	Module
Black	Black
Green/WH	White
BR/Red	BR/Red
Green	Blue

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[tobyw]

The only suggestion I can offer is to double check that the center button isn't depressed and sticking. I just installed the unit myself last weekend and am having an issue where the button sticks and will leave the brakes engaged until I rap on the control knob to get the button to release... I have tried to separate the knob and the actual control box from the dash section but I can't seem to find the right combination of tabs to lift/depress/twist to get this pulled apart again and try it over???

 

[NOLA_Gladiator]

I read on the instruction card that the center was a manual brake button. I have pressed it but it does not pop out. I just figured it was an older instruction for the previous models, since the installation instructions were written by a caveman! LOL I will work on trying to get the center button dislodged and let you know.

 

[NOLA_Gladiator]

@tobyw you hit the nail on the head. The manual break button is sticking. I was able to remove it with 2 pick probes. With the button out everything functions perfectly. The part that sticks is the clear plastic cross when it is inserted into the control knob. It was a snug fit to start, so I spent some time with 220 grit paper sanding down the all sides of the cross. I had to remove it from the black knob so I could sand all the way to the base of the cross. I applied some dielectric grease and worked that in several times. It took me a little while to get it to the point that it would spring back on it's own. After I took it out the first time I slipped dental floss under the tabs that hold the black knob to the clear cross to create a loop so that I could pull the button back out easier while working on it!

 

[tobyw]

That's awesome!! Any chance you snapped a picture of what you sanded down exactly? Based on your description, I am envisioning that you were somehow able to remove the button with a couple of small pic tools, and then sanded down the edges of the clear "male" cross on the backside of the button that engages into the "female" cross on the unit that sits behind the dash bezel?

 

[Gren71]

I had an issue with my mopar controlled where after I installed the thing it would activate my trailer brakes at full effect and cause the system to fault. I kept trying to figure it out on my own and REALLY thought it was the trailer its self. turns out I needed to take it to the dealer and have them reflash my computer to activate it. The flash was needed DESPITE my activating it with the Jscan app.

After the dealer flash (or what ever term you want to use) the mopar trailer brake controller works flawlessly.

So my suggestion is to go ahead and get a dealer to reflash your truck.

 

[Hootbro]

I had an issue with my mopar controlled where after I installed the thing it would activate my trailer brakes at full effect and cause the system to fault. I kept trying to figure it out on my own and REALLY thought it was the trailer its self. turns out I needed to take it to the dealer and have them reflash my computer to activate it. The flash was needed DESPITE my activating it with the Jscan app.

After the dealer flash (or what ever term you want to use) the mopar trailer brake controller works flawlessly.

So my suggestion is to go ahead and get a dealer to reflash your truck.

You have a 2020 Gladiator right? I know the early 2020 Gladiators required a flash that was supposedly fixed later in production.

 

[Gren71]

You have a 2020 Gladiator right? I know the early 2020 Gladiators required a flash that was supposedly fixed later in production.

I do yea, I remember that now. Maybe it will still help the OPs situation

 

[NOLA_Gladiator]

That's awesome!! Any chance you snapped a picture of what you sanded down exactly? Based on your description, I am envisioning that you were somehow able to remove the button with a couple of small pic tools, and then sanded down the edges of the clear "male" cross on the backside of the button that engages into the "female" cross on the unit that sits behind the dash bezel?

Sorry, I did not snap any pics. It was challenging to get the button back out. I have a set similar to this. I used two angled picks inserted between the dial and the button and worked my way around until it popped out far enough to grab. The piece I sanded is the male cross (lower right in your pic) on the backside of the button. I sanded the all the surfaces until it stopped hanging up, plus put the dielectric grease on it. I know the dental floss idea sounded crazy, but it was the only thing I could think of that would not bind and be able to be removed after I was happy with it. It really helped during the process because it continued to bind until I got it right. Figured this was a better method that constantly using the picks. If you look closely you can see where I was inserting the picks and it left minor blemishes.

 

[tobyw]

Perfect, thanks for following up!

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