Brake controller wiring harness
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Hanna City United States
Brake controller wiring harness
Just bought an Excursion and was trying to put in my brake controller but I can't find the factory plug-in for my pigtail. Any help on the location would be a big help. On my E150 it was down by the left kick panel. Thanks!!
BTW-V10 4X2-bought to pull a 6800lb travel trailer. I can't wait for the first trip this spring.
BTW-V10 4X2-bought to pull a 6800lb travel trailer. I can't wait for the first trip this spring.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Yep, mine was where Luckeyd says. The bad part about the ford setup is that the 12v line going back to the trailer is only on when the truck key is in the on position so the interior trailer lights don't work with the truck shut off.
Does anyone know a good way to fix that without having to run a new length of wire all the way back?
Does anyone know a good way to fix that without having to run a new length of wire all the way back?
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
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Don't know what trailer you have, but on my 2002 and new 2004 Excursion, I do not have this problem. I can operate my lights with all wiring still connected and the vehicle key off. The trailer actually should run all its 12v electrical from its own battery. Just remember, if this battery voltage drops, and you are still hooked up the the vechile, the trailer will draw from your vehicle battery. Have seen some during winter months, and dry camping for one night run down both trailer and auto battery due to running furnance all night. Quick question, is your trailer battery any good??
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 169
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From: Bryan, Texas
In my case the trailer is a 6'x10' cargo trailer (see gallery) that I use to haul my hot air balloon and equipment. the battery is just for the electric brakes and is not connected to the interior lights. The interior lights are connected to the charge wire on the battery and only come on when the key is on. On the first truck that I pulled the trailer with that wire was hot all of the time.
I'm sure that RV trailers have a different set up in order to run off the battery when the truck is off. I may have to look into changing the set-up on the trailer end.
I'm sure that RV trailers have a different set up in order to run off the battery when the truck is off. I may have to look into changing the set-up on the trailer end.
Last edited by Capt Dan; Feb 12, 2004 at 08:38 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
Likes: 6
From: SEVA
This topic has been addressed before, and I'll state the same warning again. When using a pigtail assembly that plugs into the OEM wiring harness under the dash, BE SURE TO ABSOLUTELY determine the functionality of each wire before hard-wiring it to your brake controller. The pigtail I bought (very popular name brand, but I won't divulge here) had two wires mis-identified. Had I followed their directions as written, I would've fried my $100+ Prodigy brake controller.
Also, the 2001 Ford factory wiring diagram for the trailer socket below the rear bumper is not correct. The socket was found to be wired in accordance with industry standards, but the Ford manual was wrong.
Also, the 2001 Ford factory wiring diagram for the trailer socket below the rear bumper is not correct. The socket was found to be wired in accordance with industry standards, but the Ford manual was wrong.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: VA
I took my brake controller from my 2002 f150 and it plugged right into my Ex harness with no issues. The harness connector was stuffed under the dash on the right side. i love the ex, it pulls like a beast!
Jeremy
Jeremy
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally posted by LANDYOT
This topic has been addressed before, and I'll state the same warning again. When using a pigtail assembly that plugs into the OEM wiring harness under the dash, BE SURE TO ABSOLUTELY determine the functionality of each wire before hard-wiring it to your brake controller. The pigtail I bought (very popular name brand, but I won't divulge here) had two wires mis-identified. Had I followed their directions as written, I would've fried my $100+ Prodigy brake controller.
Also, the 2001 Ford factory wiring diagram for the trailer socket below the rear bumper is not correct. The socket was found to be wired in accordance with industry standards, but the Ford manual was wrong.
This topic has been addressed before, and I'll state the same warning again. When using a pigtail assembly that plugs into the OEM wiring harness under the dash, BE SURE TO ABSOLUTELY determine the functionality of each wire before hard-wiring it to your brake controller. The pigtail I bought (very popular name brand, but I won't divulge here) had two wires mis-identified. Had I followed their directions as written, I would've fried my $100+ Prodigy brake controller.
Also, the 2001 Ford factory wiring diagram for the trailer socket below the rear bumper is not correct. The socket was found to be wired in accordance with industry standards, but the Ford manual was wrong.
This is the second time I have read about this
Check Check Check
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Luckeyd,
Mine is also just a cargo trailer. The only that runs off the truck battery would be the two overhead lights. I'm super paranoid about running them a lot so as to not run the starting batteries down so I'm not worried about that problem. It's just nice to be able to flip on the lights for a few minutes without having to first go turn on the ignition. So I'm just wondering if there's an easy way to make that work. I can always run a line back from the battery to the 7 wire plug with an inline fuse but I was looking for a shortcut.
Mine is also just a cargo trailer. The only that runs off the truck battery would be the two overhead lights. I'm super paranoid about running them a lot so as to not run the starting batteries down so I'm not worried about that problem. It's just nice to be able to flip on the lights for a few minutes without having to first go turn on the ignition. So I'm just wondering if there's an easy way to make that work. I can always run a line back from the battery to the 7 wire plug with an inline fuse but I was looking for a shortcut.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 169
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From: Bryan, Texas
Originally posted by jeb
Luckeyd,
Mine is also just a cargo trailer. The only that runs off the truck battery would be the two overhead lights. I'm super paranoid about running them a lot so as to not run the starting batteries down so I'm not worried about that problem. It's just nice to be able to flip on the lights for a few minutes without having to first go turn on the ignition. So I'm just wondering if there's an easy way to make that work. I can always run a line back from the battery to the 7 wire plug with an inline fuse but I was looking for a shortcut.
Luckeyd,
Mine is also just a cargo trailer. The only that runs off the truck battery would be the two overhead lights. I'm super paranoid about running them a lot so as to not run the starting batteries down so I'm not worried about that problem. It's just nice to be able to flip on the lights for a few minutes without having to first go turn on the ignition. So I'm just wondering if there's an easy way to make that work. I can always run a line back from the battery to the 7 wire plug with an inline fuse but I was looking for a shortcut.
My thought was to come off the rear power point, but I wanted to see if anyone else had done this.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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I also have a cargo trailer, but have installed a furnace etc for hunting activities. Put a $50.00 battery and case on the trailer, this way the hot wire will charge the bat when in use and you will almost always have power but won't ever run down the vehicle bat. Then I installed a solar panel to charge the trailer bat and can go about 6 days and night running lights and the furnace blower without charging it from the truck. Had 98/00 Expeditions, 00 Excursion and now 04 Expedition and 250 Super Duty.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 39
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I believe Prodigy will stay energized for about 15 minutes after last activation. If you leave it hooked up all the time, then everytime you press your vehicle brake pedal, Prodigy is activated. Could this be the source of your amp draw????? On mine, with nothing connected I show two dots (I have boost set at b1), approximately 15 minutes after shutting down, the dots will go out and not reappear till brake pedal is pushed again.
