Posted 2007-06-19 8:17 AM (#62456) Subject: Engine shuts down when applying trailer brakes
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Jupiter, FL
I've heard this happen to others, but I can't remember the fix. I have a 2001 F350 w/ a 7.3L diesel. When I apply the brakes to a trailer with electric brakes my engine shuts down. If I don't set the brake controller to zero the engine will shut off. I've change controllers, the wiring harness to the 7 way plug and the same thing happenes. I believe someone once told me of a sensor that goes bad on the engine that causes the engine to shut down. Hope someone can help - Hard pulling big loads without brakes.
Posted 2007-06-20 9:03 AM (#62527 - in reply to #62456) Subject: RE: Engine shuts down when applying trailer brakes
Member
Posts: 7
Location: North Jackson Ohio
Sjhinkle,
We have worked a number of Ford trucks that have experienced the same problem. We corrected the problem by installing the brake controller and eliminating the factory tow package equipment. We basically installed the controll as if the truck had no tow package available. In each of the cases this corrected the problem that we were having.
Posted 2007-06-23 12:08 AM (#62683 - in reply to #62456) Subject: RE: Engine shuts down when applying trailer brakes
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I had a similar "demon" in my 2002 F250. I started with the timing sensor but after 3 replacements we changed our plan of attack. I started lemon law proceedings and Ford sent down a 7.3L specialist. She went over my truck with a fine tooth comb and signed off on over $10K in parts and labor. The thing they think fixed the truck, a total and complete re-wire from head-lights to tail-lights.
The good news was if the repairs hadn't fixed the problem they would have bought the truck back. The engine dieing kills the power steering and the braking capabilities of the truck...because this is a safety issue it is easier to lemon law. (I pointed this out to my dealer, not the one that made my sale but does my service and he's a family friend, after I had plowed through my second intersection with a loaded horse trailer...red light and horn blowing!)
Good luck and keep records.
I kept my truck and haven't had one bad day since the "exorcism." I call my two fave diesel techs the "old priest" and the "young priest!"
Engine shuts down when applying trailer brakes
