How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2010 Jeep Liberty with Factory Tow Package

Question:

I want to install a Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller on my 2010 Jeep Liberty that has a factory tow package of 5000 #. Is there a wiring harness I can purchase or do I need to hard wire it in? Thanks!

asked by: Sara G

Expert Reply:

There isn't a brake controller harness for the 2010 Jeep Liberty so a brake controller will need to be hardwired in even if the vehicle has the factory 7-Way connector. You will need wiring kit # 5506 to complete the installation of the P3 # 90195.

On the controller the black wire is 12-volt power in and the white wire is ground. Using the wire included with # 5506 to attach the black and white wires to the vehicle battery. Black will go to the positive terminal via the included 30-amp circuit breaker and white will go to the negative battery terminal.

These wires, and later the blue wire, will need to run through the firewall so look for an access point you can use. Otherwise, you would have to drill through the firewall being careful of what is on the other side.

Use leftover wire to go from the brake controller blue wire, through the firewall, and back to the 7-Way trailer connector. There it will attach to the back of the 7-Way in the 7 o'clock position. If there is already a wire, there you can just remove it and tape it up with electrical tape and connect the new wire that was just ran in its place.

That just leaves the red wire. It will connect to the cold side of the brake switch. Use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 or a meter if you have one to test the brake switch wires. You need the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. If it has power at any other time, such as with the headlights or turn signal on, it is not the correct wire.

I have heard you can find the right brake switch wire behind the driver's side kick panel (which is the panel next to where your left foot would be) and it is a white/dark green wire. If you check this location and see that color wire use the circuit tester or meter to test it.

You can also get the brake signal for the totally integrated power module at the C7 black plug, pin 10. The power module is located in the engine compartment on the driver's side fender wall.