Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller from Scratch on a 2001 Toyota Tacoma

Question:

Where is the wiring harness plug for my brake controller on my 2001 toyota tacoma 4 cyclinder manual clutch? If there is not one supplied by factory, do you have a wiring diagram?

asked by: Doug B

Expert Reply:

The 2001 Toyota Tacoma does not have a port or harness to plug in a brake controller. Instead, the brake controller will need to be hardwired using a 4- and 7-Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. If the truck does not have a 4-Way trailer connector already, you will first need to add one using T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, # 118379. I have included links to the installation details and a video showing installation on a 2000 model for reference.

To install the ETBC7, you will first plug in the 4-Way to the back. The remaining 4 wires will need to be hardwired. The white wire will need to be attached to the vehicle frame. The blue and black wires will attach to the white and black wires in the included duplex cable and get routed under the vehicle, avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wire, to the engine compartment. The last wire can be attached to a reverse light wire behind one of the taillights or stowed out of the way if the trailer does not have reverse lights or a reverse lock out.

Under the hood, the black wire will attach to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp circuit breaker. The blue wire, now white on the duplex cable, will need to be routed through the fire wall and into the cab where it will attach to the blue wire from the brake controller.

I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, # 90885, as it is one of our most popular units because of its ease of use and installation. Once mounted, the remaining 3 connections can be made. The white wire and the black wire will need to be routed back through the fire wall using left over wiring from the duplex cable. The white wire will attach to the negative battery terminal and the black wire will attach to the positive battery terminal via a 20- or 30-amp circuit breaker (see brake controller instructions for which size to use).

The last connection will be the red wire on the brake controller. Using a circuit tester like # PTW2993, find the wire on the brake switch located above the brake pedal that carries a signal ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed. Connect the red wire to this wire and installation will be complete. I have included a link to an FAQ article on installing a brake controller from scratch as well as a link to a video showing the installation of an ETBC7 kit.