Installing a Brake Controller on a 2011 Ford E-350 Van

Updated 03/22/2017 | Published 03/21/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1800)

$22.04

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:

2011 Ford E350 gas V8. Trying to install Tekonsha 9030C brake controller. Where do I get the brake light signal and is there a wiring harness I can get for that?

asked by: Greg C

Expert Reply:

On you 2011 Ford E-350 Van, you will need to get the brake light signal off the cold side of your brake light switch.

Using a tester, like # PTW2993, you will find the wire on the switch that is only energized when the brake pedal is being pressed. This wire is the wire you will wire the red wired coming from your Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller, # 39510.

If you have a factory installed 4-way or 7-way trailer connector, then there should be a wire plug located under the dash of your Ford van and you will be able to use brake controller wiring harness # 3034-P.

If you have the 4-way flat plug, you need to install the Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Way and 4-Pole, # 37185. This will allow you to wire in a 7-way connector.

If your E-350 did not include either a 4-way or 7-way connector, you will need # 118551 to wire in a 4-way and # ETBC7 kit to attach a 7-way. The # 118551 harness will plug in to already existing plugs located on your vehicle. The # ETBC7 will have to be wired up to the cab of the van to install the brake controller. the kit will include wire, hardware, and electrical components needed to install the brake controller and wring from scratch.

I have attached some help articles that will give you more information on brake controller installation and the # ETBC7 kit for you to review. I also attached two videos on installing the 4-wire harness and the Tekonsha Voyager brake controller.