Mopar factory trailer brake controller - my impressions and review

[ShadowsPapa]

I am looking at this from a different perspective, how in the world could Jeep mess up wiring on the truck so bad that they need a harness to work around the incorrect wiring on the truck. If the controller will work on a Wrangler with the ADH package (Trailer Tow) why does it need the harness for the Gladiator? The wiring should be the same (just a little more length).

Brake controller wiring has been around for how long? How does the brake controller work for the Ram, does the Ram have the same problem? If not, why the difference.

Which brings up a question or ten -
What are WRANGLER owners experiencing?
IF Wrangler owners have installed this, does it simply work?
or
Can they not even install it because they lack the trailer wiring from the factory?

And again, the MORE I look at this, the more convinced I am that this isn't a fix - it's to add wiring to a vehicle that doesn't already have a connector.
otherwise, why take it all the way to the battery, why solder a new wire to a wire going to the back of the Jeep, why not simply tag onto what's there and JUST MOVE the connection to the brake light wire.

I ask this of anyone here who is a Jeep tech or who has access to such things - I'd like to know where B15 is as far as tied into the system's brake light wiring and how that location compares to the brake light wire at the left kick panel.
And is there a reason we can't simply take that brake light wire out of the harness that comes with these controllers and run it over there instead of having a whole new harness.
I'd like access to the cabin wiring diagrams, even schematics that show that B15 location AND show the trailer brake controller connector that's taped at the left kick panel.

Again, I believe that the harness they show in the controller instructions is NOT to fix this, but it's to add wiring that doesn't exist in the Wrangler.
I suspect when February comes - we're still screwed. Could be wrong, I think it happened once before but I could be wrong about that, too.........

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[OMTBiker]

Which brings up a question or ten -
What are WRANGLER owners experiencing?
IF Wrangler owners have installed this, does it simply work?
or
Can they not even install it because they lack the trailer wiring from the factory?

And again, the MORE I look at this, the more convinced I am that this isn't a fix - it's to add wiring to a vehicle that doesn't already have a connector.
otherwise, why take it all the way to the battery, why solder a new wire to a wire going to the back of the Jeep, why not simply tag onto what's there and JUST MOVE the connection to the brake light wire.

I ask this of anyone here who is a Jeep tech or who has access to such things - I'd like to know where B15 is as far as tied into the system's brake light wiring and how that location compares to the brake light wire at the left kick panel.
And is there a reason we can't simply take that brake light wire out of the harness that comes with these controllers and run it over there instead of having a whole new harness.
I'd like access to the cabin wiring diagrams, even schematics that show that B15 location AND show the trailer brake controller connector that's taped at the left kick panel.

Again, I believe that the harness they show in the controller instructions is NOT to fix this, but it's to add wiring that doesn't exist in the Wrangler.
I suspect when February comes - we're still screwed. Could be wrong, I think it happened once before but I could be wrong about that, too.........

I do not have access to wiring diagrams and am certainly not a tech but I do have a Wrangler and the Gladiator. We have a 2019 Wrangler Sahara with the tow package (ADH), I have seen references where the controller will only work on 2019 and newer Wranglers with the tow package. I have a Gladiator Rubicon with all options, trailer tow, auxiliary button package, safety group, advanced safety group (ACC), etc.

I will not be able to install the controller on the Wrangler as a test as this is a lease and we just ordered a new 80th anniversary edition to replace the Sahara (Due for delivery in December). The Sahara does have the tow package but does not have ACC, the new one will have both. Not sure if I just want to return this and fight the dealership as they have a no return policy on electrical and/or special order parts or install the controller on the new Wrangler. I am currently using the Curt Echo bluetooth controller which has been working fine but I wanted the integrated controller option just to be safe.

I am more than willing to do what I can, even if that is only complaining to Jeep, just let me know what I can do.

@JeepCares - I bought the Gladiator to tow and having the brake controller as an option was one of the requirements but I am not willing to hack up the wiring in the Jeep or poke holes through the firewall and tie into the battery directly to work around a design issue. This needs fixed and a refund issued for those that bought this controller with the expectation that the controller is designed to integrate with vehicles that are already wired with the trailer package. This should be on Jeep and not the dealership.

 

[danielspivey]

I took another - and closer - look at the harness Jeep is proposing and will release next Feb.
Mmmmmm- I think they screwed up again. The more I look, the more I realize that it's to put wiring in that's already there.
For example, the "new" harness has a battery+ feed (already exists) and a ground feed (already exists) and a wire going to the trailer brakes (already exists) and they connect the 4th wire - to the brake light wire....... weird, they are already doing that!
The only difference I see is where they connect that brake light wire.
So why a WHOLE NEW BIG harness when they already have all that?
No, I think Jeep screwed up again. I do not believe that the new harness is to fix - it still seems like it's to ADD wiring - that already EXISTS.
So I think I'll still be contacting Jeep support and following through.
I encourage ALL JT owners who have this controller and the malfunction to hit their dealers, insist a case is opened, even reference my case number if needed.

Nope, I'm convinced this harness is not a fix.
It's connecting the exact same wires to the same places except the brake light wire -
So - why not pull that wire out of the existing controller harness and run it over to the right and connect where the new next year harness will connect and save running another through the firewall, connecting to the battery and ground out there, and then coming back and soldering a wire to the trailer brake wire?
Why not simply MOVE the one wire that's causing the trouble to the other location?
Check steps 41-49 for example - why not just move the one wire over to B15?

Anyone here have access to the wiring diagrams or schematics and can tell me what B15 is?
If a person moved the wire that we're talking should have a diode - what if that wire was removed from the connector shell that plugs into the truck's harness, and moved over and connected to B15 - skip all the rest as that's simply +, - and trailer brakes - zero reason to move those.

When I look at this - if B15 is just another place on the same wire that the current connection is made on - then that harness isn't a fix, it's to add a place to connect a brake controller to.

In short, I think Jeep is full of BS on this.
I want diagrams, schematics, and want to know what B15 is and if it traces back to the original connection point. IF it does, folks, this new harness won't fix squat.

Please note the DATE on the instructions that come with this controller - MARCH 2020 - 8 (EIGHT) FREAKIN' MONTHS AGO!!
They had this printed 2/3 of a year ago, and since these instructions are the second revision, that means these instructions date back a year!

Man do I wish I had access to the WIRING DIAGRAMS for this truck!!!!!!!!!!!

(and no response from jeepcares, either)

I thought Jeep was BSing us from the beginning on this. 1.5 years and no real reason why they had not released the brake controller? They said COVID caused delays... bs, I always thought there was more to the story. Then they said it was be December 2020. Then magically they release it in October.... I’m sure they knew there was issues... which is why they never released it in the prior 1.5 years.

The big question is why the rush to release in October ??? Manufacturing of the parts and distribution was already set up. They go 0-60 in October... shipped out in a couple weeks, but why? Sketch sketch to me...

 

[kclendaniel]

If it didn't screw up the display - do you have ACC or other safety options?

I could not install mine when I switched it around on the bracket to match the instructions.

ame errors as mentioned here, causes all sorts of lights to go off on the dash when you push the manual brake center button of the controller. We did not test with a trailer hooked up though. Only other issue as others mentioned is needing to flip the controller on the mounting plate so the plugs faced the rear of the vehicle whe

I thought Jeep was BSing us from the beginning on this. 1.5 years and no real reason why they had not released the brake controller? They said COVID caused delays... bs, I always thought there was more to the story. Then they said it was be December 2020. Then magically they release it in October.... I’m sure they knew there was issues... which is why they never released it in the prior 1.5 years.

The big question is why the rush to release in October ??? Manufacturing of the parts and distribution was already set up. They go 0-60 in October... shipped out in a couple weeks, but why? Sketch sketch to me...

I blame California but that is just me... Remember guys, OEM manufacturers are held to a higher standard for compliance than the independent aftermarket suppliers who can sell a product and state in small print that it is not legal for sale in California (if they even bother to state that fact).

Based on others reports and the fact that mine works (although the installation instructions were absolutely horrible) I have a feeling that they held the release until they made a change to the MY21 body harness to make this controller work and be 'California Legal'. What appears is they screwed up and didn't release the 'fix' harness for the prior year/years at the same time.

As far as the fit and finish? It could be better but it is functional. I would like to have seen the knob texture (rubberized) to fully match the radio dials. They could have also included the dim-able interior lighting wiring for the backlight but that would have required an additional connection somewhere. I don't have any tow time with it so I can't vouch for how well it works until I put some road time in tomorrow. I am going to bring along my Teknosha as a backup after reading all of this.

I don't know why they didn't just repackage the integrated RAM controller they already have in their catalog but my guess is there is additional hardware modules we don't get as part of our tow package that would not allow for it. If they had just released it initially with the MY21 only or bulid date specific detail to make sure you have the correct harness until they have the additional harness available then that might have been a better rollout. I could go on and on about how I would have designed, integrated and released it but it is what it is and they obviously botched the roll out.

I did notice that the cable/connector is nearly identical to my Teknosha cable so I don't see why that would not work on the MY20s if it has the diode and the wires are in the correct pins. If that does work for you guys I would go with that and forget about making it California compliant rather than hacking into the wiring harness.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well I've changed my mind on that other harness fixing it for CA until or unless I can get my hands on wiring diagrams for the JT.
There is nothing in that other harness (yet to be released) other than a FUSE HOLDER based on pictures.
It actually does the exact same thing as we've already got - except it connects the brake light wire to a different place.
I am not convinced it's a fix for anything - based on getting home and looking at every picture in those instructions, it does appear to be only a place to connect a controller to - and we already have that.
A real fix would be a simple harness that routed the one single wire to a different location - not something that adds 3 wires we already have.
My big question - why are they ADDING a connector that's already in place on the JT?
I think the parts people that tech talked to were also confused - I'd bet on it. (at least until wiring diagrams prove me wrong)

I'm not going to hack into my truck like those instructions say, not going to poke a hole and new wire to the battery, not going to add yet another ground under the hood and I'm not pulling all that trim to solder onto a wire that is already there and works.

I'm going to keep pushing, even forcing a case be opened and held open until my truck is fixed correctly.

I suggest people work through dealers, insist a star case is opened and left open until their truck is fixed.

 

[FR33DOM]

@JeepCares - are you tracking this?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Jeep - please send me the wiring diagrams and schematics that show B15 as in the trailer brake controller instructions, and any beta version you may have - even an alpha version and I'll do whatever testing is necessary and work with some of the fantastic forum members who are also electrically inclined or otherwise knowledgeable in such things.

My big thing is that going by those pictures - they don't show a bit of detail.
I want to know where those wires go, their function, a schematic. I want to know - if B15 goes over and connects to the existing JT brake controller 4 position plug - then it's game over - this "fix" will NOT work.

 

[eaglerugby04]

You still have the same issue. Redarc just did a better job of masking it from what I gather.

The issue is with the wiring as it sits in the truck that runs to the trailer brake connector at the back of the truck, the trailer brake lights will not activate if you press the manual button. This is an issue with the truck, not just the mopar brake controller.

It's an issue with many trucks.
If you use a Redarc like I had, with the Ram harness, there's a diode that prevents feedback into the JT brake light system. (as shown in my error code printout)
HOWEVER, that's even a bandaid - and won't make it CA legal.
CA requires that when you push that button, the trailer brake LIGHTS come on when the trailer brakes are activated no matter the method of activation.
Redarc themselves told me they aren't compliant without another device to do that.

Any controller that uses a diode in that line is not CA compliant UNLESS you add something like the Redarc device,
or the Curt device back at the trailer plug - and that costs about $99 last I saw.

Luckily for me I live in SC and have no intentions of heading out to CA. Here in SC the fact that I have functioning marker lights on more than one side of the trailer and functioning brakes puts me in an elite class of drivers.

We don't even need license plates on trailers under 3500lbs here....

 

[atoy74]

@JeepCares who do we speak to about this? We've all purchased an expensive device that does not function properly. Amazingly, I have no idea how to return or who to speak to. There's a reason why we went with Mopar. Stand behind your product!!!

 

[firehog]

My JT was built June 3, 2020. Sport S Max Tow without the safety group. I just received my OEM brake controller that I ordered from All Mopar Parts (a sponsor here on the forum). I contacted them concerning ShadowsPapa’s findings. They are in touch with FCA and are waiting to here back whether the controller is going to work. However, after seeing what ShadowsPapa and others here have discovered I chose to send it back for a full refund. Thanks All Mopar Parts for standing behind us on this and taking the part back without any cost to me. And for the quick replies (great customer service)! Since I don’t need a brake controller immediately, I am going to wait this one out. Or, I may just order the Redarc.....
Thank you all for your insight and feedback on this issue and saving me a lot of angst installing a defective device and eating $250! And for saving my wife a lot of grief watching me have fits of rage! Lol.

 

[Hootbro]

Man do I wish I had access to the WIRING DIAGRAMS for this truck!!!!!!!!!!!

Spend some coin and you can get the Gladiator specific diagrams.

https://www.techauthority.com/en-us/products/?category=1

Here is the Wrangler JL diagram:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/JL-Wiring-Diagrams/TRAILER-TOW-SYSTEM.pdf

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I am trying to put together some sort of wiring diagrams.
I am convinced more than ever, the more I look at that dumb instruction booklet, use me perceptive reasoning and experience, and based on the dealership visit, that the parts person the tech spoke with is dead wrong.
My guess is they have no clue.
I am also speculating that they did AB vs AA rev when they found there wasn't any wiring in the Wrangler. And that it has ZERO to do with these errors.
That kit mentioned in the instructions simply adds a place to connect the controller for those that do not have such provisions. It's nothing to do with a fix.
I will make a bet on that right now although I'm not sure how anyone will collect if I'm wrong - I guess I could email or text out some beer or something.
I believe FCA/Jeep was caught off-guard by my visit and the dealer's calls. I'll bet on it.
The kit to come next year only adds a place to connect if you don't already have one.
We do.
And I will admit it here plainly if that's wrong.

I am looking at the pigtail that my wife's GC came with but the wire colors seem a bit different - funny thing - our JT has the male plug with female spade connectors in it and the controller has the female shell with the male spades in it.
The Grand Cherokees have the opposite! The GC comes with a pigtail indicating that the Jeep has a female shell with male spade connectors, opposite the JT connector that's there.

Interesting.
GC color codes at the connector -
Black - ground
Dk GRN/white trace - stop lamp signal
Dk Grn - Electric brake feed (to trailer)
Tan w/red trace - +12volts to controller

The above is the exact same wire colors as Wrangler - it's just that the connecor shelld are reversed - male and female, colors otherwise the same between Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Spend some coin and you can get the Gladiator specific diagrams.

https://www.techauthority.com/en-us/products/?category=1

Here is the Wrangler JL diagram:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/JL-Wiring-Diagrams/TRAILER-TOW-SYSTEM.pdf

LOL - they already OWE ME money, not the other way around.
Jeep sold me a controller that won't work and they have no fix.

But thanks for the Wrangler link - that shows me that the wiring for the Wrangler - colors and all, are an exact match to Grand Cherokee. So it's possible that JT matches....... and if so, then I am correct in that the so-called fix is ONLY to add a connector where one does not exist and it does nothing for this JT issue.
More later............

Dealer-baffled
Star case people - baffled
FCA/Jeep parts goons - full of shit

 

[Hootbro]

I am trying to put together some sort of wiring diagrams.
I am convinced more than ever, the more I look at that dumb instruction booklet, use me perceptive reasoning and experience, and based on the dealership visit, that the parts person the tech spoke with is dead wrong.
My guess is they have no clue.
I am also speculating that they did AB vs AA rev when they found there wasn't any wiring in the Wrangler. And that it has ZERO to do with these errors.
That kit mentioned in the instructions simply adds a place to connect the controller for those that do not have such provisions. It's nothing to do with a fix.
I will make a bet on that right now although I'm not sure how anyone will collect if I'm wrong - I guess I could email or text out some beer or something.
I believe FCA/Jeep was caught off-guard by my visit and the dealer's calls. I'll bet on it.
The kit to come next year only adds a place to connect if you don't already have one.
We do.
And I will admit it here plainly if that's wrong.

I am looking at the pigtail that my wife's GC came with but the wire colors seem a bit different - funny thing - our JT has the male plug with female spade connectors in it and the controller has the female shell with the male spades in it.
The Grand Cherokees have the opposite! The GC comes with a pigtail indicating that the Jeep has a female shell with male spade connectors, opposite the JT connector that's there.

Interesting.
GC color codes at the connector -
Black - ground
Dk GRN/white trace - stop lamp signal
Dk Grn - Electric brake feed (to trailer)
Tan w/red trace - +12volts to controller

You are dealing with a corporate bureaucracy. No matter how smart you think you are and actually are on this, they are going to follow their process no matter what and in the timeline they choose.

As an engineer myself, I can say most engineering departments of any large scale will take the customer complaint under consideration, but customer offered solutions are usually ignored or met with skepticism no matter how obvious or eventually correct the customer was to begin with. It's an ego thing and culture that will not change until the Sun dies out.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You are dealing with a corporate bureaucracy. No matter how smart you think you are and actually are on this, they are going to follow their process no matter what and in the timeline they choose.

As an engineer myself, I can say most engineering departments of any large scale will take the customer complaint under consideration, but customer offered solutions are usually ignored or met with skepticism no matter how obvious or eventually correct the customer was to begin with. It's an ego thing and culture that will not change until the Sun dies out.

I don't give a rip what they do in thier heads - I'm here to solve my issue and at the same time maybe help a couple dozen forum members from blowing 250-300 bucks and get screwed over on corproate engineering BS. It's obvious Jeep isn't really going to fix this for me without some real push and the more I LEARN, the more I can push back and force the issue.
In this case, my knowledge - meaning the more I learn about this system, gives me power over them. I won't be so easily told there's a fix coming when I am beginning to realize - no, it's not really.
They can do whatefer, I just want access to info and smart people so I can fix this for me and a few others.
The more I look - the more I realize Jeep support is totally ignorant and clueless on this - they don't even really know they have a problem! Proof - star support people said they had never heard of this and there are no cases open.

So - anyone here willing to go to a dealer or hound Jeep and force them to open some warranty cases? Until the squeaky wheel makes some noise, they apparently believe they have a good product here.

It's pretty obvious that JeepCares is standing down from this one.

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