Let me start off by saying that I was a little too naive and got hosed at the dealership. The sales guy tells me if a truck I like doesn't have a towing package he can put a hitch and brake controller on it for me. So, I assume they're going to add the towing package and factory controller. Nope, they give me as cheap of a setup they can get away with. I complained and the best I could get was an upgraded controller - Tekonsha P3.

It hasn't worked right since I bought the truck. It looked like they did a real weak job of wiring up the 7 pin connector to the wiring harness for the tail lights at the back of the truck. Pretty much just spliced together and wrapped with electrical tape. I was wondering why they didn't at least use the factory 7 pin connector that looks like it just plugs right into the existing harness back there. Is that possible or is the harness different since the truck came with no towing package?

 

It's my understanding that the factory EBC can only be installed on a truck that had the towing package installed at the factory. This is probably why they installed the aftermarket controller (The P3 is a great controller when set up properly).

Since there was no seven pin connector installed on your truck, it would be my guess that there were no trailer harnesses preinstalled under the bumper. Rather than splicing, they should have used the Ford trailer harness that ties in to the existing brake/signal/parking lights harness.

did you at least have a 4 pin connector or receiver from the factory?

 

Yeah, it looks like there was a 4 pin connector pre-installed. You're correct. There was no trailer harness. That's what I was wondering; if the existing brake/signal/parking lights harness was any different on a truck with a towing package vs. without. If there's no difference, then I'm thinking I should just be able to have them rip out the existing connector and wiring and put in the ford trailer harness. It looks like it just plugs right in. I got so frustrated with it on Labor Day that I finally ripped off all the electrical tape to see what they had done. Sure enough, the connection on the 7 pin connector for the blue brake wire was completely corroded and for some reason they cut the red battery wire. It's not connected to anything. I'm thinking that's the reason why I keep getting this "Warning - Short to Battery" message on the P3.