Brake Controller Installation on 2011 Acura MDX

Updated 12/31/2012 | Published 12/29/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

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$54.62

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$12.94

Question:

Getting ready to install in the MDX. Has factory hitch, wiring harness being installed, and factory pigtail connector. Need location ot the MDX brake controller connector, and color code matches to the MDX / Prodigy wiring. Thanks!

asked by: Lloyd P

Expert Reply:

The MXD might have a connector under the dash in the same location as the Honda Pilot. If you refer to the provided photo, you can see the connector location. There might be some other parts needed, like the OEM 7-way from the dealer. Since you already have the factory pigtail, you might already have the OEM 7-way.

The pigtail would wire up to the brake controller as follows:

Blue harness wire connects to black wire on controller
White harness wire with black tracer connects to red wire on controller
Black harness wire to white wire on controller
Brown harness wire with white tracer to blue wire on controller

I would recommend plugging the pigtail into the vehicle and using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to confirm the wire matches mentioned above, as it is best to wire by function rather than wire color. The wire you connect the black brake controller wire should show a constant 12-volts. The wire that the red brake controller wire connects to should show 12-volts only when the brake pedal is pressed.

Unless you can find the circuit that carries the brake controller output to the trailer connector somewhere under the vehicle, you might have to run your own wire to join the blue wire from the brake controller to the pin in the 5:00 position on the 7-way. If you do need to run this circuit, use a length of 10 gauge wire.

If the connector is not present, you could hardwire the controller using an installation kit, part # 5506.