Installation of Tekonsha P2 Brake Controller and ETBC7 Kit on 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Question

Question:

I purchased the Tekonsha P2 with ETBC7 hook ups and am completely lost with how to install. I dont have extensive car knowledge, but am good with my hands and and can generally figure this kinda stuff out. However, since theres NO instructions at all in the box Im finding myself scratching my head about what to do. I can mount the P2 controller but havent a clue as to where to connect it under the dash. Ive been watching your videos which would be great if I had a silverado or a ford... but nothing seems to get me even close. I had a flat 4 connector already installed with the factory tow package. Before I mounted it, I plugged the 7/4 way adapter to the factory one and it kinda worked - I got night time running lights/ directional on the drivers side and no passenger lights whatsoever. No brake lights for either. I checked the bulb in the dark tail light and it looks good. This is a used trailer that Im hooking up for the first time so there could be a short, but Im betting its something Im not doing. is that what the recommended T connector is for? Maybe theres s a helpful video somewhere I just havent found, but honestly Im almost completely lost and need some sort of instructions. For example, whats that 25 feet of grey wire for? What about the three circuit breakers? where do they go? Is any of this stuff supposed to attach to the trailer brakes or battery or or should the 7 pin connector from the trailer be the only thing that connects to my tow vehicle? FYI I have a : 2010 4dr Jeep Sahara Wrangler unlimited Hardtop and 2000 Coleman Westlake Tent Trailer with Electric brakes that were hooked up to a Tekonsha as well. I got all the recommended items to go along with the p2, but find myself completely at a loss as to how to move this project forward.

asked by: Noel

0

Expert Reply:

Beginning with the brake controller installation procedure, you will need to use the pigtail wiring including with the P2 brake controller # 90885 to hard wire the unit to your 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. You will need to use a light tester like part # PTW2993 to locate the circuits on the vehicle to which the pigtail will be connected. I am including a link to brake controller installation instructions, if needed.

The 4 brake controller wire functions are:

White: Ground, attached to the vehicle negative battery terminal.
Black: 12v lead, attached to the positive battery terminal with a 20amp or 30amp circuit breaker. Use the 20amp breaker if your trailer will typically only have 1 to 2 sets of brakes, or use the 30amp if your trailer has 3 to 4 sets.
Blue: Electric brakes, attached to the blue electric brake wire on the 7-Way adapter included with the # ETBC7 kit.
Red: Stoplight switch, normally located directly off the brake pedal. Use the light tester to determine which wire gets power when you press the brake pedal, and goes cold when you release the pedal.

For the # ETBC7 kit, you are correct in that you must plug the 4 to 7-Way adapter into the existing 4-Way plug, but you will also need to connect the additional wires, using the gray-jacketed wire in the installation kit. You will find a black wire and and white wire inside once you cut back the jacket a little. The installation kit does not have vehicle specific instructions, but you will make the connections on the adapter as described below.

White: Ground wire, connected to a suitable grounding point on the vehicle frame.
Blue: Electric brake wire, connected to the electric brake wire on the brake controller pigtail. Use the white wire in the kit for this function.
Black: 12v power wire, connected to the vehicle positive battery terminal with the 40amp circuit breaker from the kit. Use the black wire in the kit for this function.
Purple: Used to power reverse lights on the trailer if present, or to power a reverse lockout function or other auxiliary power application. If not needed, this wire can be tied up.

You can view some additional information on wiring for a brake controller at the included links.