How to Wire a Brake Controller When Using ETBC7

Updated 10/30/2009 | Published 10/29/2009

Question:

Bought an EBTC7 wire kit to use on my brake controller. After watching the videos, I have completed mounting the 6 plug, running the Black and white wires under my Toyota 4Runner, installing the brake controller. Now all that remains is hooking up the wires. But I get confused here. I know where the white, blue and red wires go, but the black? My controller directions indicate the 30amp, which I have placed close to the battery. The controller has a black wire, and the 6 plug has a black wire, what goes where? I hope this is not too confusing........ THANKS!

asked by: Eric B

Expert Reply:

Not to confusing at all. There are a lot of wires to keep straight, but once you do it, you will be surprised at how easy it was.

I will go through a quick run down of how to wire up the ETBC7, then how to wire up the Brake Controller. I will also include a link to some wiring diagrams so you can see what does what.

First, the ETBC7 wires up as follows. The 4-Way flat connector just connects to the existing 4-Way on the vehicle. The white is a ground connection, the black is a power wire that is connected to the vehicle battery, the blue wire connects to the blue wire on the brake controller and the yellow on the ETBC7 is an auxiliary power source.

The brake controller has 4 wires coming out of it. The white is a ground connection, the black runs to the battery to supply power to the brake controller. This wire needs a fuse or circuit breaker for the correct amperage so the brake controller cannot overload and burn up. The red wire is the stop light wire. It usually runs down to the brake pedal and connects to a wire to pick up signal when the brake pedal is pressed. The blue wire is the output wire that sends power back to the trailer brakes to engage them.

The black wire on the brake controller is not related to the black wire on ETBC7 at all. They should not be connected, however, they will both be run, independently, to the battery.

I have linked you to the instructions for the ETBC7 and and install video that might help clear things up for you. The video shows a controller being installed on a Tacoma, but the procedure would be very similar on your 4 Runner.

expert reply by: Patrick B