Installation of Prodigy Brake Controller # 90185 on 1985 Toyota 4Runner  

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To install a Prodigy Brake Controller, part # 90885, on your 1985 Toyota 4Runner you will need to hardwire it to your vehicle using the Brake Controller Install Kit, part # ETBC7. The # ETBC7 kit includes all necessary fasteners, wire, and circuit breakers to successfully install your Prodigy.

If your 4Runner is already equipped with a 4-pole trailer connector, the 4-pole to 7-way adapter, # 37185 , included in the kit will plug right into your 4-pole to provide lighting functions. The adapter has 4 additional wires that will need to be connected.

The white wire will ground to the vehicle, the blue wire will run to the engine compartment and through the firewall to the cab and will join to the blue wire on the controller. The black wire will run to the vehicle battery via the included 40 amp inline circuit breaker. The purple wire is typically connected to the reverse light circuit for the reverse lights on the trailer. If your trailer does not have reverse lights, this wire can be capped off and bundled up out of the way. I am including a link to a FAQ page that will describe how to install the # ETBC7 kit and a link to a video of an ETBC7 kit being installed on a vehicle.

The Prodigy brake controller itself should be mounted under the dash within easy reach of the driver, pointed parallel to the direction of travel. The controller has 4 wires exiting the rear, the white wire would ground to the negative battery terminal, the black wire would connect to the positive battery terminal via the 20 or 30 amp breaker included in the kit. For a trailer with up to 4 brake assemblies, the 20 amp should be used. For a trailer with more than 4 assemblies, use the 30 amp breaker.

The blue wire would connect to the wire ran from the connector at the rear of the vehicle, and the red wire connects to the cold side of the brake stoplight switch. This switch is located at the top of the brake pedal and can have several wires exiting it. Use a circuit tester like the part # PTW2993, to probe each wire until you locate the circuit that only shows current when the brake pedal is pressed. When located, tap the red wire into that circuit.

If your 4Runner does not have the 4-pole trailer connector, one will need to be installed. I would recommend the 4-Pole Hardwire Kit with Converter, part # 119178KIT. This connector will be hardwired into the existing tail light circuits. The kit includes a circuit tester for locating the correct tail light circuits. The yellow converter wire will tap into the drivers side turn signal, the green wire into the passenger side turn signal circuit, the brown wire taps into the running light circuit, the red wire into a brake light, and the white wire would ground to the vehicle.

I am including a link to a FAQ page on brake controllers.

expert reply by: Jeff D

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