Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller, 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with Factory 4-Way  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Since your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has a 4-Way wiring harness already, you will need to start by adding an Adapter, but I recommend using a 4 and 7-Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. Your 4-Way will plug into the back of the adapter and you will need to hardwire the remaining 4 wires.

First, ground the white wire to the vehicle frame. Next, for the purple wire, if the trailer does not have reverse lights this wire is not needed and you can tape it up and stow it out of the way. Otherwise, it would attach to the reverse light wire behind one of the tail lights.

The blue and black wires will connect to the wiring included with the installation kit and you will then route it under the vehicle and into the engine compartment avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wire. The Blue wire will then get routed through the firewall and connect to the blue wire of a brake controller. The other wire attaches first to a 40 amp circuit breaker and then from the breaker to the positive battery terminal.

Using extra wire that should be left over, attach some to the black and white wires of the brake controller and route them through the firewall. The white wire attaches to the negative battery terminal and the black attaches to the positive battery terminal via the 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker.

The red wire will attach to the cold side of the brake switch to the wire that shows a signal only when the brake pedal is pressed. You will need a circuit tester, # PTW2993, to find the wire. I have included links to an FAQ and video that will help you with the ETBC7 installation.

For a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885. It is one of our most popular controllers because it is easy to set up and easy to use. I have included a link to the installation details for it as well.

expert reply by: Michael H

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