How to Install Tekonsha P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195 in 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Question:

Hi, I have purchased a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, does this P3 and harness plug and play basically with that car? I have ordered the towbar package with the car but I will not get it till March 2014 so I can not have a look at this until then but want to have the parts sitting here waiting install

asked by: Brenden

Expert Reply:

The exact components and wiring connections included in what is termed a factory tow package vary among auto makers. Your local dealership should be able to provide the specifics as to how your vehicle will be equipped when delivered.

If your Grand Cherokee will be delivered with a 7-way trailer connector at the rear bumper, an under-dash port for connection of a brake controller and all the necessary fuses and wiring between the two, then the plug-and-play brake controller harness you referenced, part # TK93VR, will work. The photo provided shows the under-dash connection port that is required to use this harness. The port will usually be located underneath the dash to the side of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal. There will be a 4-pin connector that mates with the one on the adapter harness.

If your Grand Cherokee will be equipped with the 7-way but no under-dash port, you will not use the plug-and-play harness, but instead Electric Brake Controller Wiring Kit # 5506. This kit includes 25-feet of duplex wire, circuit breakers and connectors.

The white wire in the duplex will connect between the blue wire on your 7-way and the blue wire from the controller; this carries the trailer brake signal to the 7-way. The black wire in the duplex cable will connect to your battery positive terminal through the included circuit breaker and to the black wire from the 7-way to deliver 12V auxiliary power to the trailer. You will also need to make connections from the cold side of brake light switch to the red wire on the controller; the cold side of the brake pedal switch is the one that carries voltage only when the pedal is pressed. This sends the vehicle brake signal to the controller to tell it to send a signal to the trailer brakes. The white ground wire from the controller connects to the battery negative terminal.

I have linked a video showing use of this kit for a comparable installation (the controller and vehicle are different but the process is the same).

expert reply by: Adam R