Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller on a 2011 Honda Pilot

Question:

Hey folks, I installed the kit in my 2011 Honda Pilot, which came prewired for the brake controller and with a hitch, but with no plug for trailer lights etc. The kit, 118253, went in just as the instructions described. All the fuses etc are in place, and it works the trailer lights on my boat just fine. Problem is that I installed my Tekonsha brake controller this weekend and it is not getting any power. The plug for the brake controller was already there, under the dash, on the far left side, and I bought the Honda to Tekonsha cable, but no luck. Is there something else I need?

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

From what I can find, if the 2011 Honda Pilot did not come with a trailer connector then you cannot use the Tekonsha harness # 3070-P as it is not connected all the way like on models that came with the completed factory tow package.

This could also mean that the 7-Way you installed, # 118253 is not fully functional. What you will need to do to install the brake controller is hardwire it using brake controller installation kit # 5506.

You will need to cut the blue wire off several inches back from the 7-Way you installed. Then on the cut end that goes to the trailer connector, attach one end of the white wire in the included cable. Then route the wire under the vehicle, avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wire, and go up into the engine compartment.

Route the wire through the firewall into the cab of the vehicle and attach the other end of the white wire to the blue wire on the brake controller. Keep any excess wire.

Next, attach one end of the left over wire to the white wire on the controller, route it through the firewall, and attach it to the negative battery terminal. Keep any excess wire. The next step is to attach one end of the remaining wire to the brake controller black wire, route it through the firewall, and attach it to the AUX post of the included circuit breaker that you will need to mount to the metal surface of the engine compartment. Then attach a wire from the BAT post to the positive battery terminal.

The last connection, the red wire, will attach to the cold side of the brake switch. Using a circuit tester like # PTW2993, probe the wires on the switch above the brake pedal until you find the one that carries a signal only when the brake pedal is applied. If it shows a signal with the running lights or turn signals it is not the correct wire. I have included some links that might help.