How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

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Question:

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 5.7l 1500. It came with a four pin trailer light connector from the factory. I purchased a Reese Brakeman Compact controller with four wire adapter to plug into the brake module under the dash. I also purchased the 7 pin female connector and installed on my truck. I am having difficulty determining how to wire the remaining wires on the 7 pin connector. I have a few questions regarding this: Using the adapter from the controller to the brake module under the dash, do I need to still wire the 12V from the battery to the 7 pin plug? Where on my truck to I land the blue brake wire from the 7 pin plug? Is the ground on the 7 pin necessary since the four pin is I am connecting to is grounded?

asked by: Rick

0

Expert Reply:

Start by plugging in the brake control adapter # 3020-P into the OEM harness located under the steering wheel, just to the right of the emergency brake pedal. Then find a place to mount the brake controller. It should be in a position that is easily accessible (See Picture). Connect the wires.

Usually located under the driver's side of the vehicle, right behind the front wheel well is a wire connector. As you can see in the picture there are more wires on the hood side (right side) of the connector than the hitch side. Using a circuit tester you can locate the wire that supplies power to the trailer brakes. Usually it is the blue one. Using a quick-lock, run a wire lead from the blue wire to the back of the vehicle. Enough wire will be needed to make it from the front wheel well to the end of the truck bed. The wire lead will connect to the blue wire on the 7-Way or 6-Way trailer adapter. After mounting the new trailer adapter and plugging it into the original 4-pole connector, installation is complete.

If a hot lead is needed, it would need to be connected to the battery via a circuit breaker # 9510. That wire would then connect to the black wire on the trailer connector adapter.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

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Answer 2

On my 2004 Dodge Ram (which would be the same as your 2003) the factory trailer connector plug split off from a larger wiring harness on the inboard side of the drivers side frame rail near the rear bumper. There should be a rectangular connector…

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Answer 3

We have everything you need to install a brake controller on your 2004 Dodge Ram. Since your truck does not have any factory trailer wiring, we will want to install a trailer connector first because the brake controller will tie into the trailer…

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Answer 4

Normally you can find the brake light switch under the dashboard at the top of the brake pedal. There could be a number of wires attached to the switch so you can use a tester like part #PTW2993 to test the wires. Since the auto manufacturers can…

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Answer 5

Yes, it is very possible to install/fit a 7-way trailer connector on a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. I first recommend looking under the vehicle for a square ten pin connector. This (if present) will be located behind the rear bumper near the spare tire and…

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Answer 6

You can add a 7-Way trailer connector and retain the use of a 4-Way as well by installing #37185. The 4-Way you have will plug into the 37185 and the remaining wires would have to be hardwired in. The white wire grounds to the truck frame. Black is…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

In order to add a 7-Way to your 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 that came with a factory 4-Way you will need to use a 4- to 7-Way adapter such as #30717. The white wire will ground to the truck frame. The black wire is the 12 volt power circuit you will need to…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 11

The brake controller port you have found in your 2005 Dodge Ram doesn't go all the way back to the rear of your vehicle, it stops at the connector that is located under the driver's side wheel well. In order to finalize the installation you…

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Answer 12

Since you have narrowed the problem to your truck that does help the troubleshooting process a bit. What you want to do from here is determine if your brake controller is bad or if it's simply a wiring problem. To find out if the controller is…

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How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

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