Installing a Brake Controller Onto a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Without Factory Tow Package

Question:

I have a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited 6 cylinder which I purchased without the tow package. I took it back to the dealer and had them install a Jeep hitch and wiring, and Im seeing both a 4 pin and a 7 pin connector. My question is, what do I have to do to install a brake controller? Im planning to tow a Forest River rPod 171. Ive asked the Jeep dealer if they installed a brake controller connector, but they did not think so. Im considering the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller, though I have not purchased anything yet. Thank you!

asked by: Lyle J

Expert Reply:

I can help you install a brake controller like the Tekonsha P3 on your 2015 Jeep Cherokee.

For Brake Controller recommendations, I really like the # 90195. This brake controller is a proportional controller, which means whatever pressure you press the tow vehicle's brakes it will apply the same pressure and intensity to the trailer's brakes. It also has a customizable full display screen which provides you with full error messages instead of codes that need to be deciphered.

First thing I would recommend doing is check to see if the dealer pre-ran the wires for the brake controller when installing the 7-way or if they left those pins empty. Since you took it to a dealer there is a possibility that they installed the tow package and gave you a brake controller plug under the dash, if this happened you will find a square plug under the steering column that will mate with # 3014-P.

You can do a few quick visual tests for this. One is checking the back of your 7way connector to see if there are 7 wires coming out from the back of your connector. Another is to see if there is an additional wire connected to your battery with a ring terminal like # DW05705-1. Lastly, you may see a wire run to the compartment under the steering wheel, hopefully labeled brake controller output for you.

Another way to test your 7-way connector for these connections is with a circuit tester like # PTW2993. When your vehicle is on you should be getting power to the 7way via the vehicle's battery the 1 o'clock position. I have linked a video demonstration on how to do this as well as a picture of where the 12-volt power is on the vehicle connector.

We offer a similar connector to what they may have installed called # ETBC7. I have linked an image of how this connector gets wired to the vehicle for your convenience. If you did not have a brake controller it is possible, they didn't wire this part of the 7-way connector for you. The good news is that I can help you do that.

If you decide to get the Tekonsha P3 # 90195, you will simply need the included blunt cut end harness to finish wiring up your brake controller to your vehicle. You will also need some 10-gauge wire like # 10-1-1 to complete this. As you can see from the attached image the diagram from the # ETBC7, the brake controller's black wire gets run to the vehicles battery through an amp, the blue wire is run directly to the 7way connector, the white wire is grounded, and the red wire is run to the vehicle's cold side of the brake switch, you will know which wire it is by using your circuit tester, this wire is only activated when the brakes are pressed.

I suggest starting with the easiest solution first, and that would be to call the dealer and ask them if they ran all the wiring into the vehicle for the brake controller to be installed or not. Second easiest is to check for the wire's presence on the battery or for a plug under the steering column. This will give you the best idea of what you still need. If you want to check those and get back to me, I would be more than happy to further tailor an answer for what all you will need to complete your installation of your brake controller.

I have linked all the above-mentioned products for your convenience as well as a few installation videos for you to get an idea, one is of how the similar 7way connector gets hooked up to a vehicle without a tow package.