Adding a 7-Way and Brake Controller to a 2014 Nissan Xterra

Question:

Hi. Two questions: 1. Do all Xterras come with the connection in the passenger front lower panel area that this plugs into, or is this an option? Is there a way to tell w/o pulling off the panel? 2. If you want to hook up a brake controller to this connection on a 2014 Xterra, how is that done? It seems like something needs to be connected to this relay.

asked by: Al

Expert Reply:

All 2014 Nissan Xterras will have at least some part of the tow package wiring but not all of them. Models that came with the factory tow package will have everything including a connector at the back. To determine if your Xterra has all of the pre-wiring you can have a Nissan dealer run the VIN and they should be able to tell you how the vehicle is equipped so you won't have to go digging around in the vehicle.

As far as a brake controller you can check under the dash to see if your Xterra has the plug to plug in a brake controller. The plug will be located underneath and left of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal. If that plug is there and you do not have a factory 7-Way trailer connector use # C56226 to add one.

All of the Xterras I have seen can have a brake controller installed by using the proper plug and play harnesses and without hardwiring. So by adding C56226 and a brake controller/pigtail you will be good to go. For a brake controller I recommend # 90885 because it is easy to set up and use and its reliable. For a harness to plug in the controller use # 3050-P.

If you cannot find the brake controller port on the vehicle, then you will need to hardwire in the controller by installing # C56226 and then using install kit # 5506 to complete the installation. On the brake controller the white wire will ground to the negative battery terminal, black will go to the positive battery terminal via the 30-amp circuit breaker. Blue will go to the back of the 7-Way in the 7 o'clock position.

The red wire connects to the brake switch. Locate the brake switch above the brake pedal and use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the wires. You need the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. If should NOT have power with the headlights or turn signals on. It is likely a yellow/silver wire so test that one first!