Wiring Harness and Brake Controller for 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Question:

We are preparing our 2001 VW Jetta TDI for towing. We already have found the hitch and your instructions for installations. That will help greatly. But now we still need to hook up lights and brakes. What is your advice?

asked by: William F

Expert Reply:

For wiring your 2001 Jetta, I would recommend the Upgraded Circuit Protected Taillight Converter Hardwire Kit, part # 119178KIT. The converter would tap into the existing taillight wiring on the vehicle. The easiest spot to access the wiring would be behind the taillight assemblies. Starting behind the taillight assembly on the drivers side, you would want to ground the white wire to the vehicle chassis. Typically, there is a factory installed grounding point nearby, you can use that.

You will then want to use a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993 and probe the wires exiting the taillight assembly while the left turn signal is on. Once you find the wire that makes the tester blink along with the turn signal, tap the yellow wire from the converter into that circuit. The red wire on the converter would tap into the brake light wire. Have a helper pump the brake pedal, while you probe the wires until you find the wire that goes hot while the brake pedal is being pressed. Next, the brown wire on the converter would attach to the running light circuit. Have that helper turn on the headlights, and once again probe the wiring until you find the one with current. Once found, tap the brown wire on the converter into that circuit. The green converter wire would run across to the rear of the passenger side taillight assembly. Use your tester while the right turn signal is on, and tap the green wire into the circuit that shows current.

You are wanting to install a brake controller as well, is that correct? This can certainly be done, but if you are planning on towing a trailer large enough to require brakes, I would recommend you ensure that you are not exceeding the manufacturers tow rating of your Jetta.

For a brake controller, I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy, part # 90885, as well as our brake controller installation kit. If you are needing a 7-way trailer connector, use part # ETBC7. If you are needing the 6-way connector, use part # ETBC6. The 4-pole connector on your converter would plug directly into the 6 or 7-way connector included in the installation kit. You would then need to run a wire up to the battery for the 12 volt accessory circuit and to the passenger compartment for the brake controller output.

The brake controller itself would be mounted under the dash, preferably to the right of the steering column, within easy reach of the driver. The controller will have four wires exiting the rear of the unit. The blue wire would connect to the brake output circuit which was run from the trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle. The black wire would connect to the positive battery terminal using the 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker provided with the install kit. The white wire would attach to the negative battery terminal, and the red wire attaches to the brake stoplight switch located at the top of the brake pedal. The stoplight switch can have several wires exiting it, you will want to use the circuit tester to locate the circuit that shows current only when the brake pedal is pressed. Tap the red wire into that circuit.