Installing Brake Controller 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Question:

I want to install a brake controller in my sport trac. I understand it connects to the brake light switch or other connector under dash. Where do I look for a connector to connect the brake controller and what does it look like? I want to be sure before ordering.

asked by: Paul F

Expert Reply:

The Explorer Sport Trac models were not prewired for a brake controller from the factory. Does the vehicle already have a 4-pole trailer connector? If not, you can install one using part # 18252.

To install your brake controller, we offer an installation kit, part # ETBC6 for a 6-way trailer connector, or part # ETBC7 for a 7-way connector. The install kit includes everything needed to complete the install, including an adapter to convert your 4-pole trailer connector to a 6 or 7-way. The install is pretty straightforward, start by mounting the 6 or 7-way trailer connector to the rear bumper. Plug the adapter into the 4-pole, and your lighting connections are complete. There will be 4 wires remaining. The white wire grounds to the vehicle, the black wire runs to the positive battery terminal via the 40-amp inline circuit breaker included in the kit. The blue wire carries the brake controller output and would run under the vehicle up to the engine compartment and continue through the firewall to the passenger compartment. The purple wire is typically used to feed the reverse lights on the trailer and would tap into the reverse light circuit on the vehicle. If your trailer does not have reverse lights, this wire can just be bundled up out of the way for future use.

The controller itself would mount under the dash within easy reach of the driver, usually to the right of the steering wheel. The controller has 4 wires exiting the rear, usually white, black, red and blue. The white wire connects to the negative battery terminal, the black wire runs to the positive battery terminal through the 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker included in the kit (refer to the instructions for your controller to determine which breaker to use). The blue wire carries the brake controller output, and would connect to the wire that was ran from the trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle and through the firewall. The red wire connects to the cold side of the brake stop light switch. This switch is located at the top of the brake pedal. This switch can have several wires exiting it, you will want to use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to find the wire that shows voltage only when the brake pedal is pressed. Once that wire is located, use a quick splice to tap the red wire from the controller into that circuit.

We have a Brake Controller Installation Guide that you might find helpful, as well as an installation video that will walk you through the process. The video shows a controller being installed on a different vehicle than yours, but the process would be identical.

I will provide links to these below.