Instruction Manual Needed for a Tekonsha 2016 Hydraulic Brake Controller On a 1986 Ford F-250

Expert Reply:

The wiring diagram for wiring your truck to your trailer can be found on our wiring page (see link). We also have a brake controller wiring diagram on our brake controller wiring page (see link). If you are wiring a 7-Way connector I would recommend the # ETBC7 wiring kit which has all of the wiring, circuit breakers and parts needed to install the 7-way once you have a 4-Way installed on the truck. If you need a 6-Way connector then the # ETBC6 wiring kit will be what you need.

You can hard wire a 4 way on your vehicle with the 4-Pole Hardwire Kit Including Circuit Tester, item # 18252, or you can use the Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring for the F-100, F-150, F-250, F-350 by Ford, item # 118313. This harness works with both the 1985 and 1986 Ford F-250 that you have.

I will send you a PDF document or the instructions for the #2016 brake controller in a separate email. This document is rough but is readable. You will need to attach the blue wire on the 2016 controller to the brake feed wire connection at the rear of your vehicle, the red wire to the cold side of the stoplight switch, the black wire to the positive post of the vehicle battery through a circuit breaker. Use a 15 amp circuit breaker for 2 brake assembly trailers, 20 amps for 4 brake trailers and 30 amps for 6 brake trailers. This unit gets its ground through the brake line connection to the master cylinder.

Once the wiring is done you will need to make the hydraulic connection to the vehicles master cylinder using an adapter tee, available at a automotive supply if needed. When running the tubing make sure to put a small loop in the line to permit the line to flex before going through the fire wall. You will need to bleed the hydraulic lines once all connections are made. Finally, if you experience harsh or aggressive braking during slow stops you will need to install a variable resistor. This resistor is no longer available and the minimum and maximum values for the resistor are not known (I spoke with Tekonsha) so if this item is needed it may be very hard to find a replacement.

expert reply by: Bob G