Installing a Brake Controller in 2014 Dodge Ram Pickup

Question:

I installed an after market brake controller by splicing in the tekonsha harness but there is no power coming from my truck to the new red wire harness. Brake works with manual switch but is not sending signal from brake pedal

asked by: Dan

Expert Reply:

2013 and 2014 Dodge Ram Pickups use a different wiring harness than Rams from previous years. In the 2013 and 2014 models, the red stop light wire connects up above the gas pedal.

The easiest way to install a brake controller into a 2013 or 2014 Dodge Ram is to use this Tekonsha Wiring Adapter # 3023-P, as long as you are using a Tekonsha brand brake controller. This adapter allows you to easily connect your existing wiring harness, break controller, and stop light wire. If you are using a different brand, you can still use this harness, but you will need to cut off the black connector and splice it.

I have attached an installation video of this adapter on a 2013 Dodge Ram for you.

If you would rather, you can splice your current adapter into your 2014 Ram, but you will want to make some adjustments. The stop light wire will need to be spliced into the stop light wire's new location above the gas pedal. You will also need to install a 1 amp diode into your adapter's stop light wire, because most of the newer brake controllers send power through the stop light wire when the manual override is used to activate the brake lights. This is a legal requirement in some states, but the new Dodge wiring cannot handle the power from the brake controller.

If you are using the plug-in adapter and still don't have power on the red wire, we recommend taking your pickup to a Dodge dealer and having them take a look at the factory wiring.

expert reply by: Victoria B