Prodigy P3 Brake Controller Installation in 2018 Jeep JL Wrangler without Tow Package

Question:

I purchased the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 brake controller for my JL. I also self installed my Mopar harness/hitch, but because my JL didn’t come with the factory tow package, it doesn’t have the brake controller harness. My trailer brakes work when using the manual switch on the controller, but I can seem to find which wire to connect the pedal signal wire to. Any thoughts?

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers like the excellent Prodigy P3 # 90195 use the vehicle brake light switch to deliver the electrical signal that tells the controller your vehicle is braking, and from there the built-in accelerometer sensor determines the amount of braking power that needs to be sent to the trailer's brakes. This is how all proportional type brake controllers operate. They take in the triggering electrical signal from the pedal and then proportionally deliver brake power to match the rate of deceleration of the tow vehicle.

The RED wire on the P3 takes in the brake light switch signal. This red wire connects to the COLD side of the brake light switch, which is the wire that carries power ONLY when your foot is pressing the brake pedal and at no other time. A circuit tester like # PTW2993 will help you to find that one correct brake light switch wire for connection to the controller's red wire.

In a 2018 Jeep JL Wrangler without the factory tow package a brake controller installation will be hardwired using our all-inclusive kit # ETBC7 in conjunction with a standard 4-pole harness like # 118786. These two wiring items along with the controller complete the setup for your JL.

You can refer to the linked articles for additional installation information.