Brake Controller and 7-Way Wiring Installation For a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Question:

Are there wires for a brake controller on all 2001 Grand Cherokees, or is there a towing package that it had to be ordered with for the wires to be there? If the wires are there, is there a harness that plugs in at the back of the vehicle for the trailer, that would have the controller and all of the lights, and one under the dash for the controller itself? As far as I can tell this jeep did not come with a towing package as we had to put a receiver hitch on it already. Thanks for your help. Tom

asked by: Tom H

Expert Reply:

If your 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee did not come with the factory tow package that would have included a 7-Way trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle, you will need to hard wire the vehicle for installation of a brake controller and 7-Way connector. It sounds like this is the case for your vehicle, so there will not be a working connector under the hood or at the rear of the vehicle for installation of a brake controller and 7-way harness.

The items you need are a working 4-Way connector, item # C55369, if you do not already have one. A brake controller wiring installation kit, item # ETBC7, and a brake controller of your choice. I would recommend the Prodigy P2, item # 90885 for your Grand Cherokee.

We have detailed instructions for installation of a brake controller with the # ETBC7 wiring kit, see link, and we have a video installation of this kit and the Prodigy P2 on a 2010 Dodge Nitro for you to review. The installation will be very similar on your Grand Cherokee. When testing for the brake light signal at the brake pedal switch, be sure to find the wire with a signal only when the brake pedal is pressed.

expert reply by: Robert G