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Electric Trailer Brake Controller Installation

112K views 70 replies 47 participants last post by  DogsBreakfast1978  
#1 ·
I finally installed my electronic brake controller for my electric brake trailer into my 2013 Pathfinder. This wasn't a difficult job. These instructions should make it a little easier for you.

I haven't found the best place to mount the actual controller yet. I think I have found the third best place and currently have it mounted there. I'll explain how I currently have it mounted, then I'll discuss other options.

First find the brake controller connector under the dash (see page 9-25 your PF owners manual). In the first picture I have already used a long thin knife to reach up and cut through the tape holding the factory connector to the harness. The next picture shows the factory connector hanging down with the protective cap on (the protective cap isn't mentioned in the owners manual!). The next picture shows my electric brake controller wiring harness connected to the factory connector with the protective cap in my hand. If you mount the controller where I did, you will only need about 8" of lead. I snaked the wire over into the left fuse panel cutout. I used my brake controller harness and spliced to the Nissan supplied adapter, However I recommend you buy the Nissan adapter from the manufacturer of your controller. Nissan changes the colors from the factory connector, to their supplied adapter, and none of the colors seem to match the standard brake controller colors. If you modify your own adapter, study the wiring very carefully.

I mounted my Tekonsha P3 to the fuse box cover opening. There was a lip there that allowed me to drill two small holes (after checking that nothing was back there) that would not be visible if I removed the controller. I used the standard bracket that came with the controller. You can't really see the controller from outside the vehicle and you can't really see that I don't have the fuse panel on.

Lastly I have my pop-up all hooked up for the test drive. The brakes worked perfectly!
 

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#2 ·
So I mentioned that I think I mounted my controller in the third best location. I was going to mount it to the right of the steering wheel, but thought I would be bumping it with my knee. I had that problem with this controller in my Explorer. I finally decided on mounting it to the left slightly inside the fuse panel. During my trip I didn't bump it at all.

However, I would like it to be less intrusive. I think that INSIDE the fuse panel with the fuse panel cover on would be the second best location. I noticed that the Tekonsha Voyager is 3"Wx5"Lx1.5"D and the top is flat. That might fit inside. Once the controller is setup you really don't need to access it. I only used the manual knob one time in 10 years, so I don't really think you need to use it for lightweight (<5000Lb) trailers.

Finally, I don't know where the best location would be, still looking!
 
#3 ·
Electric Brake Controller Wiring Chart

I recommend using the Nissan adapter that you can buy with your brake controller if possible. However, if you are going to do it yourself, these are the colors that worked for me to connect my 2013 Nissan Pathfinder to my Tekonsha P3 Proportional Brake Controller. While I double checked this chart be sure to double check yourself. Don't match color to color when hooking up the wires, double check the charts.

Also, a proportional brake controller is better than a timed brake controller.
 

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#4 ·
Were you able to access the fuse panel without removing the brake controller? I like your idea of mounting it inside, but I tow a couple different trailers, and I have to adjust the controller based on the trailer I use. So, I may try your current location. The controller is sitting in a box waiting to be installed! By the way, I couldn't find my wiring under the dash. I had to take it to the dealer, and he had to remove the panel under the steering wheel to find it. It was very well hidden!
 
#6 ·
Yes and no on accessing the fuse panel with the brake controller installed. Some fuses I would have to pull the brake controller to get to. However, I had an explorer for 11 years and never had to replace a fuse and my camry for 14 years and never had to replace a fuse. So, wasn't too worried about it. I'm still hoping to find the 2nd or 1st best spot for the brake controller.
The wiring was well hidden. I was hoping the pictures would help people find it. You definitely have to move the seat all the way back and lay on the floor to look up in there to find it. I wish they would have done it a little differently. If you think about it, Nissan could have built it in, and allowed you to set the boost from the info screen. :)
 
#8 ·
Thanks very much for your instructions! I mounted a Tekonsha P3 in the same spot. If you had not mentioned the protective cap on the factory connector, I wouldn't have been able to figure it out myself. It looks like a connector, not a cap, and is difficult to get off.
 
#11 ·
Perfect instructions and great pics. Thanks for info on location and cap!
I was able to access the cable without taking off the panel under the steering wheel, found the tape and cut it and simply pulled the connector from the foam covered tape down. There is a little tab you can press with a tiny flat head screwdriver to release the cap - then it comes off easy. I try prying the cover off, no joy. Hitting the little tab on the wiring harness (not the cap) in the middle of the connector was the trick.
Now - like everyone else - trying to determine the best mounting location.
 
#12 ·
Where ELSE is it gonna go?

Now - like everyone else - trying to determine the best mounting location.
I think where OP has it is the ONLY logical location. That's where I put mine.
 

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#14 ·
Thanks for all your help and for the photos. My skinny son and I (not skinny) worked to find the connector for an hour before reading this post. The pictures helped a lot.

Haven't had my 2014 for a week yet and don't want to drill holes in the dash until I'm sure where to place it. We use our camper only about 5 times a year, so can I just take the cap off the connector and Plug-in the controller when I need it and take it off when I don't, returning the cap?


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#15 ·
We use our camper only about 5 times a year, so can I just take the cap off the connector and Plug-in the controller when I need it and take it off when I don't, returning the cap?
You could, but you still need to mount it somewhere. Otherwise what are you going to do, keep it in your lap? I suppose you could try velcro if you don't want to drill holes.
 
#16 ·
I'm going through these steps now and it seems that you're not supposed to cut the tape to free up the connector. You can just unplug it from the protective cap and then plug it back in if you disconnect the wires and want to put them back out of the way. I don't think the cap is needed for anything so it can be left in place.
 
#19 ·
help with brake controller

Hi all,
I installed a Tekonsha Brake controller with a Teckonsha wiring harness #3050 for our Pathfinder. When I connected the harness and the controller the brake controller display lit up, but then I disconnected the brake controller to strap and tuck the wiring away behind the dash. Now when I reconnect, the display on the brake controller doesn't light up. I checked all the connections ect.. I wonder if there is a fuse for the electric brakes I can check somewhere... any ideas?
 
#22 ·
Electric Trailer Brake controller harness plug-in

As mentioned in one of the other post the harness under the dash can be tricky to locate. The harness in the vehicle has an empty white connector plug that protects the harness but at first glance it appears the trailer harness will not plug in because of the connector. My customer had been to an independent shop and they had wrapped blue masking tape around the plug to identify it but had not removed the cap. I tried plugging in as did one of our techs but to no avail because the cap was still in place. We had one of our installers look at it and found the cap and plugged in the harness and everything was ready to go. Just one of those Nissan things.
 
#24 ·
Here are some photos of my Tekonsha brake controller install in a 2014 Pathfinder. Like some of the other in this forum, I put it on the left, on top of the fuse box.

I removed the fuse box cover and made a little custom plate to fit it in. The cable was a real pain to reach - it was taped back under some foam way up to the left of the steering column. I could barely get it out (no leverage) and it did have a "cover" on it. I also put in a spacer washer to position the controller properly (right angles to the centreline).

No issues with it so far.
 

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#26 · (Edited)
Australian model pathfinder brake controller wiring harness plug

Can any please confirm if this is the right connector?
It was taped onto another cable up under the steering column. I found it by following the instructions on the forum. The Australian model 2014 pathfinder doesn't appear to have the protective cover on it but there is a small blue pen mark on it instead.

Waiting on the delivery of the tekshonka wiring harness for the nissan at the moment.


Hopefully I have attached the pic.
Thanks
 

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#27 ·
Can any please confirm if this is the right connector?
It was taped onto another cable up under the steering column. I found it by following the instructions on the forum. The Australian model 2014 pathfinder doesn't appear to have the protective cover on it but there is a small blue pen mark on it instead.
Kind of looks like the connector in picture # 3 in post # 1 of this thread, so I'd say yes.
 
#28 ·
It was indeed the right plug and it DID have a cover on it. Actually I suspect it could even be the opposite connector and you could possibly just fit the wires into it, with pins?

Anyway,much easier just to pick up the cable from Tekonsha. Mine arrived yesterday and it fits perfectly. One problem though, when it plugs in the brake controller powers up but with only two dots on the LED screen. Not the "nc" ( not connected) or the "c" (connected) when the trailer is attached or not

The only thing I can think of is that the trailer plug hasn't been fitted correctly and Nissan have bypassed the pre-installed wiring harness in the vehicle when the tow bar was installed.

Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks
 
#31 ·
How did this work for you?
I have installed a prodigy with a brake harness from the US, I am getting the two dots and the n.c, the controller manual lever operates the brake lights on the vehicle but doesnt connect to the brakes on the van/trailer.
My tow hitch and plug were also was installed by the dealer!?