Is There An Installation Video For The # ETBC7 7-Way Installation Kit For A 2015 Mazda CX-5

Updated 09/13/2024 | Published 09/06/2024

Products Featured in This Question

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

(3397)

$121.25

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(96)

$68.94

No-Drill Mount Bracket, Long

(681)

$19.75

Question:

I have a 2015 Mazda CX-5 Grand touring. I just bought this, and the installation video is really not helpful at all. Hes talking super fast and pointing at things. I would like to see someone like maybe at a car installing this. Do you have any other videos or visual instructions?

asked by: Erin

Expert Reply:

Hi Erin,

We unfortunately do not have an installation video for the # ETBC7 kit in a Mazda CX-5 but the process is going to be the same for each car. I typically start by mounting the # ETBC7 to the trailer hitch crosstube with a no-drill mounting bracket. With your crosstube being hidden behind the fascia you'll want the long bracket # 18136 and need to face it down. You can either have the 7-way face down or you can stick it in a vice and bend the 7-way side of the bracket up so that the 7-way faces out just below the fascia.

Once mounted you can connect the 4-pole connector on the # ETBC7 to the 4-pole wire harness already on your CX-5. If you don't already have one in place then you'll want to first install the Tekonsha # 118563. Next you'll take the 10-2 wire and connect one wire to the black 12v power wire on the # ETBC7 and the other wire to the blue wire on the # ETBC7. You'll snake the 10-2 up to the front of the vehicle avoiding anything that generates heat or moves to keep the wire save. I typically zip-tie the wire every foot or two to keep it secure.

It'll most likely be easier to run both wires into the engine compartment and pass the wire for the brake controller through the firewall on the driver's side. The battery wire will need to run to the included 20 amp circuit breaker and then the battery positive terminal.

If you don't feel comfortable doing all this work you can set up an appointment with our shop to have installed or can use our installer locator link below to find a local shop.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Erin

9/10/2024

Hi! I found it more helpful video than the guy just standing inside the store pointing at things. Actually I found quite a few. I got everything installed except for the actual brake controller. The question I have is how to use the circuit tester to find the correct wire. I have used other circuit testers in the past, and I'm not sure how to use this one. Do I connect the alligator clip to a piece of metal for grounding? And do I just touch the wires or do I need to disconnect the brake light switch and touch the tester to the connections. These might be stupid questions, but I'm just not sure how that works. Thank you! Erin

Kevin C.

9/11/2024

@Erin If you're talking about the tester included with the # ETBC7 then yes, you would place the alligator clip on a good grounding surface to complete the circuit. When you touch the prong to a power source the light on the tester will light up because it now has power and ground. If you have a connector you can pop out and get the tester into I would definitely go that route, otherwise you'll have to poke into the wires, cutting into the casing to get to the copper to test the wire. There's typically a good chunk of metal framing with a ground bolt to the left of the brake pedal under the dash in most vehicles. The bolt typically has a green tint to it.

Erin

9/11/2024

@KevinC I think I have two separate conversations going. Sorry if I do. I figured all of that out. But when I touch two different wires, the light comes on solid whether the brake is pushed or not. What would cause that?

Kevin C.

9/11/2024

@Erin Your switch could just have constant power to it. The function of those wires would be something you'd need to ask Mazda about.

Erin

9/10/2024

Ok. So I took out the brake light switch and tested the wires. The light comes on on the tester for two of the wires. And it's solid whether the brake is on or not. The other two don't come on no matter what. Any suggestions?

Kevin C.

9/11/2024

@Erin It looks like your vehicle would only have 4 wires running to the brake light switch so if you're finding a wire that only has power when the brake pedal is depressed then your switch is unusable and you'll need to install a universal stop light switch # RM-751000 to tap into for the brake signal.

Erin

9/11/2024

@KevinC Thank you.

Erin

9/12/2024

@KevinC One last question. Can you explain the wiring order? Would I splice my black wire to go to both the stop light switch and the brake controller (I will use the inline fuse option)? Also, there is a blue wire coming from the universal brake light switch. Does that and the white wire from my battery both connect to the brake controller? I appreciate all your help. All of the instructions for the stop light switch have to do with an RV towing a car vs a car pulling a camping trailer, so it's a bit confusing. Thank you! Erin