How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500
Published 10/08/2014
Question:
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 brake controller wiring I am confused. Need expert help. I just bought a 2005 Ram for my daughter to pull a horse trailer. The truck has a connector for the brake controller wire harness located under the dash [1]. This connector is live as tested with my other truck’s Prodigy, however, I don’t know where to go from here. The Dodge connector has four wires exiting to somewhere [2], but they are not the same color as the Tekonsha harness. [3] shows the connector behind the wheel well. What is the black portion plugged into the connector? Which of the wires seen correspond to the wires exiting from [2]? There is a 4 prong connector [4] with three wires plugged into the back of a 7 blade/4 prong terminal connector [5]. [6] shows the wires leading into the connector filled with some kind of plastic sealant. There is also a pigtail with 4, 10 ga. wires emanating from the terminal. [7] shows the Hopkins 7/4 terminal connector. Is the Hopkins wired within the plastic gunk for both the 7 and the 4 prong outlets? What do I need to complete the installation? The wires exiting the front Dodge connector look like they are 10 or 12 ga., but the middle wheel well connector does not appear to have these heavy wires. So, where do I take off from? Also, where do I get the back-up light connection? I plan to hook up a Tekonsha Primus and a reverse camera to help in hooking up the gooseneck trailer, so what all materials do I need? I appreciate your help in advance. I dont know if all 7 images were uploaded
asked by: Joe D
Expert Reply:
The first thing you will need to install a Tekonsha Primus IQ is the install harness part # 3020-P. This will plug into the controller and then into the port under your dash. The colors won't necessarily match up to what you have on your vehicle.
Since the 7-way on the truck is a Hopkins I would assume it's aftermarket and the brake output circuit hasn't been run to it yet. You can check this by looking at the back of the connector and seeing if there is a wire run to the 5:00 port of the connector when facing the front of the connector. If there is a wire run there I would just try plugging in the # 3020-P and the brake controller to see if the controller will function.
If it doesn't sense a trailer connection then the wire from the driver's side wheel hasn't been run from there to the connector. You would need to do this at this point. Check out the FAQ article I attached for more info on that.
If all else fails and you don't want to mess with using the factory wiring for the brake output circuit you can cut the blue wire out of the # 3020-P and run 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 sold by the foot from that wire to the brake output circuit of the 7-way you have at the rear of the truck.
For wiring in a reverse camera you will have to tap into the reverse light circuit of your truck. Testing the wires leading to your reverse lights will determine the correct wire.
The most popular back up camera we offer is the Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera and Hitch Aligner System # HM50002. What's nice about this system is that it plugs in line with your vehicle 7-way and wouldn't require you to track down the reverse light circuit. I attached a review video for you to check out.
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