Wiring The Hayes Energize III Brake Controller # 81741B To A 1998 Toyota 4Runner

Question:

I just finished installing the Energize III brake controller on my 98 4runner. I didnt notice the indicator light come on at any stop. I have aligned the sensor with gravity and the only way that i have seen the indicator is when I manually slide the lever. Even then the light is always fully bright even with the slightest slide. My vehicle was wired for a four way flat plug and I purchased a 4 to 7RV adapter. Do I still need to wire the red stoplight wire into the cars stoplight wire?

asked by: Adam

Expert Reply:

You will want to make sure the four remaining wires from your 4-flat to 7-blade adapter are connected as follows on your 1998 Toyota 4Runner:

White: Ground wire, connected to a suitable grounding point on the vehicle frame.
Blue: Electric brake wire, connected to the electric brake wire coming from the back side of your Hayes brake controller.
Black: 12v power wire, connected to the vehicle positive battery terminal with a 40amp circuit breaker.
Purple or Yellow: Used to power reverse lights on the trailer if present, or to power a reverse lockout function or other auxiliary power function. If not needed, this wire can be tied up.

I am including a link to a FAQ page that will describe how to wire the 7-way trailer connector and the brake controller on your vehicle.

As far as the wiring on your Hayes Energize III Brake Controller, part # 81741B, the red stoplight wire does need to be connected to the cold side of the brake stoplight switch located at the top of the brake pedal. To locate the correct circuit to tap this red wire into, first locate the stoplight switch. The switch will have several wires running out of it, so use a circuit tester like the Quickee Tester, part # 3808, to locate which of these wires goes hot only when the brake pedal is pressed, and tap the red wire into it.

The 3 remaining wires from the brake controller are connected as follows.

White: Ground, attached to the vehicle negative battery terminal.
Black: 12v lead, attached to the vehicle positive battery terminal with a 20amp or 30amp circuit breaker, whichever the brake controller instructions recommend.
Blue: Electric brakes, this wire runs from the front of the vehicle back to the 7-Way plug.

We offer a brake controller install kit, Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. This kit includes everything necessary for installing a controller, including the trailer connector, the breakers mentioned above, and all wire and hardware.

After you have verified all of the connections on your brake controller and the 4-way to 7-way adapter and everything is working properly , then you will want to make your adjustments on your brake controller.

I am including a video link that will show a brake controller and a 4-way to 7-way adapter being installed on a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle is different, but the wiring principle is the same.