Items Needed to Install Brake Controller on 2005 Chrysler Pacifica

Expert Reply:

Because the 2005 Pacifica is not pre-wired for a brake controller, the controller would need to be hard wired using a Brake Controller Install Kit # ETBC7. There is not a wiring adapter available.

Although the install kit contains everything needed to install the brake controller, the vehicle will need a functional 4-pole trailer connector, part # 118303 if it does not already have one. The adapter included in the kit will convert the 4-pole to a 7-way trailer connector.

Once the adapter is plugged into the 4-pole, there will be 4 additional wires needing connection. The blue adapter wire would connect to the white wire in the duplex cable included in the kit, and the black adapter wire would connect to the black wire in the cable. The cable would then be ran up under the vehicle to the engine compartment. At this point, the gray sheathing on the cable would be stripped away, and the while lead would run through the firewall and ultimately connect to the blue wire exiting the rear of the brake controller. The black lead would connect to the positive battery terminal via the 40 amp circuit breaker included in the kit. Of the remaining wires on the adapter, the white wire would ground to the vehicle frame and the purple wire would connect to the reverse taillight lamp circuit, if your trailer is equipped with reverse lamps or you are towing a boat trailer with a reverse lock-out. If not needed, the purple wire can be capped off and tucked up out of the way.

The controller itself would mount to the underside of the dash, within easy reach of the driver. The controller will have 4 wires exiting the rear. The black and the white wire would run through the firewall, where the white wire would ground to the negative battery terminal, that the black wire would connect to the positive battery terminal via either the 20 or 30 amp breaker included in the kit. The instructions included with your brake controller will state which breaker is needed. The blue wire connects with the wire from the duplex cable that you ran from the rear of the vehicle. The red wire would tap into the cold side circuit of the brake stoplight switch. This switch will be located at the top of the brake pedal. My contact at Tekonsha tells me that the wire you are looking to tap into is white and dark green striped. You should use a circuit tester like part # 40376 to confirm this. The circuit you are looking for will only light up the tester when the brake pedal is pressed.

If you have not decided upon a brake controller yet, I would suggest a proportional controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885. A proportional controller has an internal sensor that can sense how quickly the tow vehicle is braking, and will then send the proper amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so that the trailer and tow vehicle will stop at the same rate. This leads to safer, more predictable braking.

A time delayed controller, like the Pilot model you mentioned uses the older time delayed technology. This type of controller will send the same voltage to the trailer brakes, according to how the controller is set. This type of controller cannot distinguish between a gentle application of the brake pedal and a panic stop.

I have linked you to an FAQ page with more information about brake controllers, as well as the instructions for the install kit. I have also linked you to an install video showing the install kit being used on a similar vehicle.

expert reply by: Mike L