Hard wiring a Brake Controller On a 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup

Published 01/20/2010

Products Featured in This Question

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

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$57.19

Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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$7.37

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$14.40

Question:

I am installing a electric brake controller on a dodge ram pickup truck.First question is -at plug in at back I just need to ground plug to frame white wire-connect existing 4 pole plug to new one-connect blue wire to brake controller. question 2- in cab I have run my wires to battery and of course wire to rear for plug BUT there is a red wire that needs to be connected to my brake switch and there are 6 wires there at brake pedal which one do I splice into?THANKS

asked by: Lonny J

Expert Reply:

If you are using the Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole, item # 37185, or a similar one, then yes, you just plug the 4-Pole connector into the 4-Pole connection at the rear of the adapter. This connection gives you the stop, turn, and taillight functions in the 7-Way connector. You will also connect the wire running from the blue wire on the brake controller to the blue wire coming from the adapter and the white wire from the adapter to the vehicle frame. If you want a 12-volt power wire to charge a trailer battery or power accessories then you will need to run a 10-gauge wire from the vehicle positive battery post through a 40-amp circuit breaker, item # PK54540, to the black wire coming from the adapter.

Inside the cab behind the brake pedal you will need to identify the brake switch wire that goes hot only when the brake pedal is depressed, using a circuit tester, item PTW2993. Manufacturers change wiring harness colors continually and the color of your wire could be anyone. Our experience shows that normally it will either be a blue wire with white tracer or a white wire with a tan tracer.

If you need wire to complete these connections you can use the Universal Brake Control Wiring Kit for 2-8 Brakes, item # 5506.

expert reply by: Robert G