Installation of Brake Controller On 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 w/ Factory 4-Way

Published 09/16/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Dodge

(966)

$20.54

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

(3465)

$118.67

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$12.94

Question:

I have just purchased the 7 way row harness for my 2008 ram 1500.It has the 4 pin flat plug from factory.It also has the blue plug under the dash beside the main harness for the brake box.I know how to put the harness on the truck but i dont know if i can just plug the brake controller into the factory plug under the dash?The blue wire is built into the harness that i just bought from dodge,but what about the black,white, and red wires that are on the controller? Where do they plug into?

asked by: Cotton R

Expert Reply:

Since your 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 did not come with a factory 7-way connector, you will not use the brake controller port underneath the dash, and will not use the Tekonsha Wire Replacement, part # 3020-P. Instead, you will need to hard-wire the brake controller using the Brake Controller 7 and 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. The Black, White, Red, and Blue wires coming out of the brake controller will be wired.

To begin plug your existing 4-way into part # ETBC7 and connect the remaining wires. The White wire is the ground and should be connected to a clean metal surface on vehicle frame. The Black wire will be connected to the Black wire inside the duplex cable and ran to front of vehicle and connected to battery via a 40 amp circuit breaker. The Blue wire will be connected to the White wire inside the duplex wire, and ran to the front of the vehicle and later will be connected to the brake controller.

Then, you can connect the wires coming out of the back of the brake controller. The Blue wire will connect to the White wire of the Duplex cable. The black wire will be connected to the positive battery terminal via a circuit breaker as specified in brake controller instructions. The White wire is the ground and should be connected to the negative battery terminal. The red wire will be connected to the stoplight switch near the brake pedal. The stoplight switch will be the wire that only carries signal when the brake pedal is pressed. You will want to use a circuit tester, part # PTW2993 to test for this wire. The White wire is the ground and should be connected to the negative battery terminal.

I have linked instructions for the Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. Also linked is a video installation of a brake controller on a Dodge Caravan which features part # ETBC7.