Electric Trailer Brake Controller Installation on a 2011 Kia Sorento with Factory 4-Way  

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Expert Reply:

We do have a part that is made for just this application. Take a look at the 4 and 7 Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. What you will need to do is plug your existing 4-Way into the ETBC7. Then, you will need to hard-wire the remaining wires. The white wire will attach to clean, bare metal surface on the vehicle frame. The black and blue wires will attach to the included duplex cable which will then be route under the vehicle, avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wiring, and into the engine compartment. The last wire will attach to the reverse light circuit if needed, or it can be taped up and stowed out of the way.

The black and blue wires, now under the hood, require further connections. The black wire will attach to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp circuit breaker. The blue wire will get routed through the fire wall into the vehicle cab. You will need a brake controller to control the trailer brakes. I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885, for its easy set up and use. After mounting the brake controller according to the instructions I have linked for reference, you will need to make some wiring connections. The blue wire routed earlier will attach to the brake controller blue wire.

The white wire will get routed through the fire wall and attach to the negative battery terminal. The black wire will get routed through the fire wall and attach to the positive battery terminal via a 20- or 30-amp circuit breaker (see brake controller instructions for which size to use). For the last connection, you will need a circuit tester like # PTW2993. Use it to find the wire on the brake switch, located above the brake pedal that carries a signal ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed. It should not carry a signal at any other time (like if the vehicle lights are on or a turn signal is engaged).

I have included a link to an FAQ article on installing a brake controller from scratch that explains how to install an ETBC7 kit. I have also included a video showing an ETBC7 being installed.

expert reply by: Michael H

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