Ford Brake Controllers (1997-04)
Factory Installed 7-Way
If you drive a newer Ford Truck or Van (Ford 97-06 Ford F-150, 99-04 F-250/F-350 SD) and your vehicle already has the factory installed 7-Way Trailer Connector the only part needed to install a brake controller is the brake controller itself. Usually the factory will already give you a brake control adapter that connects to the brake controller and plugs into the dash. The OEM plug is on the driver's side, usually on the right. If the factory brake control adapter cannot be found a replacement is offered.
First connect the Brake Control Adapter to the Brake Controller. The factory adapter uses different colors, but the wires are labeled. The wires match up: red to red, black to black, white to white, blue to blue. Then plug the adapter, which is now connected to the brake controller, into the plug under the dash. Then mount the brake controller to a place on the dash. Make sure that it is easily accessible.
Factory Installed 4-Way
If you drive a newer Ford Truck or Van (~1997-03, Including 2004 Super Duty) and your vehicle already has the factory installed 4-Way flat trailer connector then only a few extra parts are required.
- A brake controller
- A universal adapter, Tekonsha adapter,
or Valley adapter
- Unless the factory one is provided
- The universal 7-Way (30717) or 6-Way (30637) or the factory 7-Way (118242) or 6-Way (20028)
First connect the Brake Control Adapter to the Brake Controller. The factory adapter uses different colors, but the wires are labeled. The wires match up: red to red, black to black, white to white, blue to blue. Then plug the adapter which is now connected to the brake controller into the plug under the dash. Mount the brake controller to a place on the dash that is easily accessible.
In the rear of the vehicle, follow the 4-way trailer connector wires from the trailer connector to the front of the vehicle. These wires connect to a factory plug usually on the driver's side, between the back tires and the end of the truck bed.
As shown in the picture, there are more wires coming from the front of the vehicle than there are coming out of the plug because a 4-pole trailer connector does not require all those wires. A 7-way or 6-way connector does. This is also the place where a facotry 7-Way (118242) or 6-Way (20028) adapter can be installed. Simply detach the connector shown above, an connect the 7-way or 6-way adapter in place. After grounding and mounting the adapter, installation is complete.
The 7-way and 6-way adapters come with a 4-pole trailer end that connects to the vehicle's factory installed 4-pole trailer connector and four (4) or three (3) extra lead wires. The white wire is for the ground, the blue wire is for the trailer brakes, the black wire is for a "hot" lead coming back from the battery, and the orange wire (7-way adapter only) is for another auxiliary function (typically reverse lights).
To install the 7-way or 6-way adapter, first plug in the 4-pole trailer connectors (A). Next, snip the blue and orange Ford wires next to the plug and connect them to the blue and black wires on the adapter (Ford to Adapter: Blue to Blue; Orange to Black) - see picture (B). If you prefer to not cut the wires, a factory plug-in 7-Way (118242) or 6-Way (20028) adapter can be installed. After grounding and mounting the adapter, installation is complete.
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Brake controller information
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Comments, Questions, and Answers
Question:
I installed a Teknosha Prodigy brake controller in my 02 Ford Escape. I purchased the Hopkins 4/7-way blade connector on the back. It is supposed to plug into the 4-wire trailer harness already installed on the vehicle. However, the plug on the Hopkins connector and the vehicle harness do not go together. They both seem designed to be weatherproof and there are interfering parts of the rubber shroud. Is this a common problem? Is this seen on Fords? I bought a Ford OEM 12 extender at the nearest auto parts store that I believe will fix the problem, though I dont like the idea of extra connections.
asked by: Caleb last update: Apr 21, 2008
Reply:
Occasionally we do see this issue. You can use a sharp knife carefully to remove the plastic shroud on one plug or the other so the connections fit properly.
reply by: Heather
Question:
I have a 05 F-250 with a factory installed brake controller. Im trying to figure out why I only get power to the plug with the switch on the controller itself. Another problem is that Im not even getting full power even when I set the gain to ten. Anything less than this produces nothing at the rear of the truck. Any help would be much appreciated.
asked by: Ray last update:
Reply:
It sounds like the issues you are experiencing may be a ground problem. I would trace the wires coming out of the controller and follow them to make sure where they are connected to other wires/ground that the connections are not loose. Also check the wires themselves making sure they are fully intact with no breaks. Since the controller is factory installed there may be information in the owner's manual and you may want to call your dealer's service department.
reply by: Heather
Reply:
Thank you for the reply. The problem was that in 05 Ford decided it would be a good idea only to allow power to the electric brake wire from the controller if the vehicle is moving about 15 mph. You still get about two volts if the controller is turned up all the way but for future reference that's why it is hard to test anything unless you can do it while traveling 15 mph. Ford discontinued this great idea after a year. Thanks anyway...
reply by:
Question:
How do I wire a Prodigy brake controller and a 7-way trailer connector to a 2005 Ford E-350 van? I found the 4-wire flat plug at the rear of van and another 4-wire six polesquare under the dash. Thanks!
asked by: John last update:
Reply:
The Prodigy offers a custom harness which can be plugged into the controller and then into the port you found under the dashboard. You can view this part on our web site using the following link:
Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Ford Vehicles
Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller
To complete the connection on the rear of the van you will need an adapter to upgrade the flat four pole to a round 7-way. This adapter includes extra wires one of which will be connected to the brake wire Ford has run underneath to the back but not connected to anything. You'll need to find the bundle of wires and look for this possibly blue wire which will just be capped off. Once you locate the wire you can connect it to the blue wire on the back of the adapter. If you also want to have the trailer plug provide an auxiliary or 12v connection you will need to run this wire from the back of the adapter up to the front and to the battery. You can view the adapter using the following link:
Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole & 4 Pole
reply by: Heather
Reply:
Hey Thanks... Appreciate your prompt responce and info was very helpful.
reply by: John
Question:
i just bought a P3 and wiring harness from you...where do i plug in the Tekonsha harness in the ford econline E350 van???where is it located?thanks
asked by: William last update: Mar 24, 2008
Reply:
If equipped with the factory installed tow package the plug for the P3 wiring should be under the dash near the steering column. It may be tied up out of the way. Your van's owner's manual may provide more information on this too.
reply by: Heather
Question:
Hello, I just installed a new tekonsha tp3 brake controller in my F250 using the supplied TE3065 wiring harness,the unit does not power up, the fuse is good, no trailer connected. thanks
asked by: Greg last update: Mar 2, 2008
Reply:
We recommend using a tester and checking the power supply wire to see if voltage is running to the actual brake controller. If there is the unit may be bad. If there is no voltage going in to power the controller you will have to back track to see why not.
reply by: Heather
Question:
I purchased a prodigy brake controller and wiring harness for a Ford F-150 from you, and I am having problems locating where to plug, the 3035-P cable into the the truck, I can not see where it plugs in, any idea, where the connection might be for 2006 F-150 FX4 with towing package. Thank you for your time
asked by: George last update: Feb 12, 2008
Reply:
The OEM plug for the brake controller is usually found on the driver's side, on the right hand side of the steering column. The plug is most likely tied up tight out of the way and you will need to uncoil or untie it.
reply by: Heather
