Brake Controller and 7-way Trailer Connector For 2008 BMW X3

Question:

Can you install a Tekonsha Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control on an BMW X3, also do you carry that product? How could you install a seven blade tow vehicle end plug to a 2008 BMW X3?

asked by: Godfrey B

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # TK94FR can be installed in almost any vehicle. It will work with your 2008 BMW X3. We have found that the # TK94FR Prodigy RF does sometimes have problems pairing with European cars. There are ways to make this work, but a hardwire connection is always the most reliable.

I recommend using the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. This brake controller will splice into your vehicle's existing wiring system and will connect to the trailer's brakes through the trailer connector.

To install the Prodigy P3 and have a 4- and 7-way trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle, you will want to use a vehicle wiring harness like # 119250KIT to provide a 4-way flat connector and the # ETBC7 Brake Controller Installation Kit. This kit includes a 7-way blade trailer connector, a 4-way flat connector, and all the wire and hardware needed to install the connector and brake controller.

First, the # 119250KIT will need to be connected into your vehicle's wiring. The white wire will need to be grounded, the yellow wire will connect to the left turn wire, the green wire will connect the right turn wire, the brown wire will connect the taillight wire, the red wire will connect to the stop light wire, and the black wire will need to be ran to the positive battery post on the vehicle's battery. You will want to use a circuit tester # PTW2993 to test for the functions of the wires.

The # ETBC7 kit will install into the 4-way connector provided by the # 119250KIT. Then the white wire will need to be grounded, the blue wire will run to the brake controller inside the vehicle, the black wire will run to a 40-amp circuit breaker and then to the vehicle battery's positive terminal, and the purple wire can either be ran to the reverse light wire or can be tucked up out of the way. I have attached a help article on installing the # ETBC7 kit for you.

To install the brake controller, you will want to splice the wiring pigtail into your vehicle. The blue wire will connect to the brake wire from the trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle, the red wire will splice into the stoplight switch wire at the back of the brake pedal, the white wire will be grounded at the negative post of the vehicle's battery, and the black wire will run to a 30 amp circuit breaker and then to the positive post on the vehicle's battery. The stoplight switch wire will be the wire that has power when the brake pedal is pressed. I have also attached a help article on installing a brake controller.