MOPAR brake controller

[Jaybre007]

I installed a MOPAR brake controller that replaced the Bluetooth ECHO module I used. I like the fact that the module cannot be stolen when I take a break when traveling. The question is it is a simple plug and play design and sometimes after shutting the vehicle off the rear brake lights illuminate and will not shut off unless I crank up the Jeep and rotate the knob on the controller all the way to the left then right. I can then shut off the Jeep and it turns off the lights. I first noticed this when walking away from the vehicle and spent a few minutes figuring it out and took the issue to my local Jeep dealer. Of course I got the riot act that if I had in any way installed it incorrectly the diagnostic fee was on me, I explained it would be almost impossible for this to happen. The fix they said was to flash the vehicle and gave it back to me. Now they want 2 days to diagnose and see if they can make the problem happen again. I can see where this is going as it does this randomly and who knows when it will occur again. I am pretty sure the technician will not spend an entire 48 hrs. turning off and on my Jeep to replicate. I believe I may have a faulty module. What are your thoughts?

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[Gvsukids]

What are your thoughts?

Go to another Jeep dealership.

 

[PW45]

Ugh, tracing and troubleshooting wiring like this is a pita. I agree it's hard to screw up that installation it's just a couple plug connectors. The center of the dial is a button, I think the install had you put the button on? maybe not fully seated?
Otherwise, yeah sounds like the module.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I can't recall how the control dial/knob wire to the main "box" itself - one might try unplugging that, if possible.
It's sending a brake light signal out for some reason - as if the thing was sensing manual trailer brake operation.
When you press that button, it sends a brake light signal out from the brake controller box into the trucks brake light circuit.

There's nothing to flash. These, or any other brake controller,, can be installed and there's no flash needed to make them work. And "flashing" it isn't going to change anything - unless it's a TRUCK fault.

The only reason the early 2020s needed a "flash" was because the ABS module freaked out when you pushed the controller button as if manually applying trailer brakes alone.
2021 and later have code that tells the ABS to ignore any signal on the brake light circuit and resolved that issue.

It's either the module - or that button is sticking and telling the module you pressed the button to apply trailer brakes, causing a signal on the brake light circuit.

 

[Gvsukids]

The only reason the early 2020s needed a "flash" was because the ABS module freaked out when you pushed the controller button as if manually applying trailer brakes alone.

Would that apply to the Bluetooth controller too?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Would that apply to the Bluetooth controller too?

Only if you used your phone to simulate a button for trailer brakes only.
If you press a button to apply trailer brakes but NOT truck brakes, that's where the 2020s (early ones) had an ABS software issue.

 

[Jaybre007]

Ugh, tracing and troubleshooting wiring like this is a pita. I agree it's hard to screw up that installation it's just a couple plug connectors. The center of the dial is a button, I think the install had you put the button on? maybe not fully seated?
Otherwise, yeah sounds like the module.

Yeah what looks like a button is just a hole filler. The dial just rotates. There were some haters about this design but I like simple if it works. I would prefer that it had an on/off button.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You should feel a slight "detent" as you turn the dial from 1 to 10 etc.
The center should press in and that's what activates the trailer brakes manually. You should definitely feel it press in, and then release. It should visibly move in, and you should feel it like a push-button.

So - your dial/knob isn't working to begin with.
It's fragile, that's for sure. And it's super super super easy to get things out of place when snapping things in.
I put the MOPAR controller in my 2020, then removed it when i traded for my 2022, and put the same MOPAR controller back into my 2022. Button presses as it should, dial has a slight detent feel to it.

 

[tj3089]

Can you return it for another one? Sounds like it is faulty. The mopar brake controller wasn't available when I needed one, so I bought a Red Arc elite tow controller and have been happy with it. I mounted it next to the 12v outlet so I still have it.

 

[Jaybre007]

You should feel a slight "detent" as you turn the dial from 1 to 10 etc.
The center should press in and that's what activates the trailer brakes manually. You should definitely feel it press in, and then release. It should visibly move in, and you should feel it like a push-button.

So - your dial/knob isn't working to begin with.
It's fragile, that's for sure. And it's super super super easy to get things out of place when snapping things in.
I put the MOPAR controller in my 2020, then removed it when i traded for my 2022, and put the same MOPAR controller back into my 2022. Button presses as it should, dial has a slight detent feel to it.

So on my way to work this morning I pushed in and out the button. I mean it takes a super gentle touch but it does ever so slightly move it which may be the cause of the problem. I also heard the box click on and off as I rotated the dial from the zero to the on position. I think there could have been a better button design and an active light on the knob when the detent is pushed in as it may have been the issue all along not knowing the button was depressed and in the manual position and I am "fixing" the issue without realizing it. Thanks for the issue. I am going to get the button looked at now as I feel that the Jeep dealership already verified that it was correctly installed and working properly, therefore any additional issues that may arise should eliminate my liability to have to pay a

 

[Jaybre007]

Can you return it for another one? Sounds like it is faulty. The mopar brake controller wasn't available when I needed one, so I bought a Red Arc elite tow controller and have been happy with it. I mounted it next to the 12v outlet so I still have it.

I wanted to maintain my factory warranty and the Jeep guys are like some Harley dealers, they want to install their parts or they can make it extremely difficult to get warranty work completed. After doing some things ShawdowPapa suggested it looks like the is the module but the knob. Nothing to do with the wiring either but in reality a poor design on the knob in my opinion. I did maintain my 12 volt plug capacity as I moved it to the top of my dash and I like there a lot better than where it was located previously. I found the 12 volt receptacle at Loves truck stop and wired into one of the aux switches using the wiring harness located on the passenger side. I will take a picture later and post.

 

[Jaxmax]

Wait, the button is not any kind of on off but is the emergency or trailer brake only button, when towing if you get into a trailer sway situation hitting that button will activate just the trailer brakes and straighten the trailer behind the tow….Jack
I think it is an awesome design.

 

[Jaybre007]

Wait, the button is not any kind of on off but is the emergency or trailer brake only button, when towing if you get into a trailer sway situation hitting that button will activate just the trailer brakes and straighten the trailer behind the tow….Jack
I think it is an awesome design.

Perhaps Jeep needs to do a better job of lessening the confusion by making a simple user manual that advertises its strengths. I did not know that but now I do, thank you. I find it amazing this forum exist because I learn so much more from here than I do the dealership or the manual! Real people, real world use is a lot better than youtube videos!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Their documentation for installation supplied in the early releases of the controller sucked and were totally wrong about sales code, wiring, and other stuff, but the instructions for operation are spot-on - except - it's ironic that they say pressing that button alone does not trigger brake lights but in some states, like California, it's the LAW that if you apply any brakes, including trailer brakes alone, it triggers the brake lights.
AND - the fact that the controller does put a signal onto the brake light circuit, it's contradictory.
But the operation otherwise is correct even if my image of this is poor.

 

[Labswine]

Only if you used your phone to simulate a button for trailer brakes only.
If you press a button to apply trailer brakes but NOT truck brakes, that's where the 2020s (early ones) had an ABS software issue.

That's interesting...

Mine was built in 6/19 (ordered 5/19, took delivery 7/19) and I had the Tekonsha IQ installed in mine for the trailer brake controller. I did push the lever a couple of times when towing (finally realizing it was lane position making my trailer not want to behave as I wanted it to...truck ruts on the highway, the trailer wanted to follow them instead of me, so I just scooched over a little in my lane and all was right with the world) and I never had my ABS go apesh*t on me. Never had a flash or anything. If I recall, that unit had the special diode wired into the line to the truck harness plug to keep that from being an issue ? ? ?

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