Brake Controller Installation on a 2002 Ford Explorer

Published 03/19/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.20

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3397)

$121.19

Question:

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with a factory 4 way connector. I would like a brake controller and convert this to a 6 or 7 way connector to add trailer brakes to a small camper. Do I need to run wires from front to back or can I do as is stated in the article about 97 or newer ford trucks and tap into the wiring plug near the rear tail light and save all the hassle of wiring from battery and controller?

asked by: Gary C

Expert Reply:

To install a brake controller on your 2002 Ford Explorer, you will need to run wires from the rear of the vehicle to the front.

I would recommend converting your 4-Way plug to a 7-Way, as this is the most common plug style. You can use brake controller installation kit # ETBC7 to do so, as it includes the 4 to 7-Way adapter, and the wiring, connectors, and circuit breakers you will need to complete the brake controller installation.

The 4 to 7-Way adapter would first be plugged into your 4-Way connector, and then you would connect the additional wires as follows.

Blue: Connected to the blue brake controller wire.
Black: Connected to the vehicle positive battery terminal with a 40amp circuit breaker, included with the kit.
White: Ground wire, connected to a suitable grounding location.
Purple: Reverse lights and auxiliary functions. If your trailer has reverse lights, this wire would be connected to the reverse light wire coming out the back side of your tail light assembly. If you do not have a need for this wire, it can be tied up.

I would recommend installing the Prodigy brake controller # 90195 because you can use the included pigtail to hardwire the controller to your vehicle.

The 4 brake controller wire functions are:

White: Ground, attached to a clean piece of unpainted metal.
Black: 12v lead, attached to the vehicle's positive battery terminal with a 40amp circuit breaker.
Blue: Electric brakes, attached to the blue electric brake wire on the 6 or 7-Way plug.
Red: Stoplight switch, normally located directly off the vehicle's brake pedal.

I have included a link to some information on wiring using the # ETBC7 kit, as well as a video demonstrating the installation of the # ETBC7 kit and a similar brake controller on a 1996 Explorer.

If you ever tow a trailer with a 6-Way plug, you could just use a simple adapter like part # 47549.