Brake Controller Installation on 2014 Nissan Pathfinder

Updated 07/30/2014 | Published 07/27/2014

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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$1.65

In-Line Circuit Breaker - 20 Amp - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

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$6.77

Question:

Hello. I just bought a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder SV and there is no towing package on it. I already install a 7 pins connector with turns, tail and 12V power for a camping trailer. I now need to add a brake controller. Is it okay if I run a 20 Amps fused cable #12 gauge directly from the battery to the dash and a not fused wire from dash to the pin in the 7 way plug ? Is that all the Job I need to be done prior to receive the controller ? Thanks a lot for your answer. With this info, I will be confident to order and do it myself.

asked by: Patrice T

Expert Reply:

There are three possible scenarios for installing a controller on a Pathfinder. If connector under dash is present near emergency brake pedal, you can use # 3050-P adapter and plug in controller. Look on the drivers side frame rail, looking for extra wires. If extra wires are found, a have helper activate manual brake switch on controller. Use circuit tester on extra wires looking for voltage on wires that corresponds with the switch being activated.This will be your brake output circuit that would connect to your 7-way.

If connector is found under dash, and if no active or extra wires are found under the vehicle, sever the blue wire on the 3050-P adapter and use butt connector to attach a length of 10 gauge wire leading FROM the controler that is long enough to reach rear of vehicle. Pass wire through firewall,engine compartment and under vehicle to rear, avoiding hot and moving parts and connect to wire to the brake output pin on your 7-way. You'll get the power feed and the stop lamp switch signal from the connector under the dash.

If there is no connector, you would hard-wire the controller. You'll need to use an inline fuse or circuit breaker on the power supply circuit from the vehicle battery to the brake controller. For a trailer with up to 4 brake assemblies, a 20 amp breaker like part # 9506P would work fine. I would recommend using 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1 for the power supply circuit to the brake controller, as well as for the output circuit from the controller to the trailer connector. If your Pathfinder has the connector, but if for some reason you'd prefer to hardwire the controller, there's no reason why you couldn't.

expert reply by: Mike L