Installing a Brake Controller on a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with Factory Tow Package

Updated 07/02/2010 | Published 07/01/2010

Products Featured in This Question

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(139)

$59.85

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

(3480)

$118.67

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$14.40

Question:

I want to install my Teshonka Prodigy brake controller on a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with a Trailer Package. I will be pulling a Coleman Williamsburg pop-up with electric brakes as well as stop, directional, brake and backup lights. What would you recommend in the form of a wiring harness and connectors? Coleman has their own 2x3 6-terminal mating connectors, with the connector going to the towing vehicle having six non-terminated wires. The six wires are identified as: electric brake, ground, left turn and stop, back up, tail and side marker, and right turn and stop.

asked by: Leonard G

Expert Reply:

To install the Tekonsha brake controller on your 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, you will first need a 4-Way trailer connector if you do not already have one. The Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring, # 118258, that you have referenced will fit your Santa Fe if the Hyundai Santa Fe came with Factory Tow Package. If it did not, then use harness # 118415. I have included a link to the installation details below.

I recommend switching the plug on the trailer from a 6-Square to a 7-Way. You can use part # H20046. Attach the wires from the trailer to the wires on this harness by function. There is a table on the product page that explains the wire color and function on the harness. The column with trailer wire color may be different than what is on your trailer.

If you do not want to switch the 6-Square on the trailer for a 7-Way, you can use the 6-Pole Square Trailer Wiring Connector Kit, # 37995. Clip off the end that plugs into the vehicle side and hardwire the wires by function into a 7-Way you will need to install (explained below). If you end up hardwiring the 6-Square to a 7-Way, you will not have to connect the black power wire to the battery during the 7-Way installation.

With a 4-Way installed, you will then need to install a 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. You will plug the 4-Way into the back of the ETBC7 and hardwire the remaining wires on the harness. Ground the white wire to the vehicle frame. The purple wire gets attached to the reverse light wire. Use the included duplex cable and connect the black wire on it to the black wire on the harness. Do the same with the white wire on the cable and blue wire on the harness.

Route the duplex cable under the vehicle and up to the engine compartment near the battery. Connect the black wire to the battery via a 40-amp circuit breaker. Route the white wire through the firewall to where you mounted the break controller. It connects to the break controller blue wire. Next, route the white wire from the brake controller through the firewall to the negative battery terminal. Then route the black brake controller wire through the firewall and then to the positive battery terminal via a 20- or 30-amp breaker (see brake controller instructions for which size to use).

The last connections is the brake controller red wire. using a circuit tester like # PTW2993, find the wire on the brake switch above the brake pedal that carries a signal ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed. If this wire has a signal at any other time (when the lights or blinkers are oPTW2993n) it is not the correct wire. I have included a link to an FAQ article on installation a brake controller from scratch that will help. I have also included links to the installation of an ETBC7 kit and an FAQ article on trailer wiring.