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Electric Tow Brake Controller

54K views 77 replies 29 participants last post by  philbytx 
#1 ·
Has anyone installed a Tow Brake Controller in their 2011 Grand Cherokee? If so, can you tell me where under the dash panel did you locate the brake controller wire? Does Jeep have the electric trailer brake wiring harness pre-installed or did you have to install that too?
 
#2 ·
#4 ·
^Then you should have the 7 pin connector which has a brake line in it from the trailer, it plugs right into the JGC 7 pin socket on the rear bumper. You'll only need the brake controller which installs above the brake and gas pedals.

Those luxe trailers are sweet. You hauling bikes?
 
#5 ·
I put mine under the light switch panel and fuel door release
 
#6 ·
One more time. :rolleyes: Does Jeep include the wiring harness that goes from the brake controller to the vehicles wiring?....OR, does one need to purchase this harness? (I DO NOT mean the 4 or 7 pole plug or the wiring at the back of the vehicle.)
 
#7 ·
^foggy, most controllers come with their own wiring harness that ties into the vehicle.

per your note in the other thread, if you have an old "cheapo" controller, maybe it is a good time to upgrade as any trailer with brakes usually is over 4,500 lbs loaded.
 
#8 ·
^foggy, most controllers come with their own wiring harness that ties into the vehicle.

per your note in the other thread, if you have an old "cheapo" controller, maybe it is a good time to upgrade as any trailer with brakes usually is over 4,500 lbs loaded.

Thanks. Yep....I have one trailer and a small tractor that will push the 7200 limit on towing capacity. But the old cheapo controller does a fine job on the brakes...and the controller box is small. I may take my harness along from my current GM vehicle.....if I can figure out where the wires attach on the jeep.
 
#9 ·
Moosehead - I think what foggy is asking (my question too) is this: Is Part No 82210512AB (Electric Trailer Brake Wiring Harness) pre-installed by the factory when you get the Tow Package IV factory installed. If so, then I only need to look for the 4 pig-tail wires that should be taped up somewhere underneath the dash - pull those down and connect them to my electric brake controller and then when I plug my trailer in to the 7-pin connector the circuit will be complete and I will have voltage to the trailer brakes. Towing Propsort, VRSCSE and KTMs.

To wjs81866 - where did you find the brake controller wire? under the dash? behing the fuse box? left side hush panel? Was it taped off or clearly labeled?
 
#10 · (Edited)
I was speaking to mike at e trailer today he said currently he knows of no such harness sold yet ,there is a 4 pin connector gray in color fasten to the top of the main harness (which is a large square white block) with a bolt in it to secure both end of the harness. on the top of that is were i see the four pin plug which i belive to be the plug why, because it the same exact one in a 2010 dodge pick up. i am doing some further investagation,,called westurybury jeep parts dept they have no listed part number to date..........per mike howell@e -trailer tekonsha has not yet confirmed a plug n play harness....If any knows for sure please post o yea mike said there should be wires under dash taped together for hard wiring ,does anyone know for sure? thanks pat (the harness is just above the e-brake)
 
#11 ·
pattyboy - thanks for the post. Please let us all know if you find out any additional information. I've been looking for the taped off wires for days but no luck - if they are there (which I hope they are) its a challenge to find them especially before my flashlight goes through yet another set of batteries in the process. Does anyone know where the wires are located? I had them in my 04' Lexus GX470 as well as '08 Acura MDX. It would be a shame if Jeep does not include the basic wiring needed for the brake controller install.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I've asked about these wires/harnesses in another thread but didn’t get an answer. Years ago 2005 (I think) Dodge on the Durango started including the harness and input under the dash to plug the brake controller in. Very disappointing that years later Jeep still may not be providing this simple input. Electric Brakes are law with trailers over a certain weight (1-3K) in most if not all states.


I have a ’05 WK and plan to get a ’12 or ’13 WK2. Sure hope it’s not that difficult to add a brake controller to an Overland with towing package. I had to rely on Milous and others for the wire colors and location under the dash for my WK. For an SUV that can tow a lot of weight for its size you would think this would be simple. Some trucks have brake controllers built in. Sure hope someone can shed some light of this.
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the info! I'm a little confused with the product description (82210512AB). So is there a input for this adapter under the front driver dash on a WK2?
 
#14 · (Edited)
Moosehead is correct, you must order the harness from your jeep dealer the cost is apprx. 32.00 part #82210512ab....it takes about 2 days to get in... it is for the most part a plug in installation,but i believe some limited hard wiring is possible..I recd my info from the infamous marlon-JB2 ...which may of u know his knowledge and talents...and how he aquires it:) well keep u guys posted.........check out the pix on wk2 site much different than the one moosehead posted although same part #??????????
 
#16 ·
#17 ·

Thanks! So still no easy way to install a brake controller. Disappointing that Jeep cannot do what many others including their own Dodge do by having an easily accessible harness to connect to under the driver dash…
 
#20 ·
I think pattyboy was on to something regarding the 4-pin gray connector. After removing the silencer panel you can visually see the gray connector mounted to the top of the main harness. Attached are pictures I took this morning. This looks suspiciouly like the connector in my old GX where all I had to do was plug in the supplied pig-tail and connect the 4-pigtail wires to my electronic brake controller. If this is the correct connection, then what is missing from Jeep is the pigtail connector. In the GX this was shipped in the glove box along with instructions, in the Acura it was allready plugged in under the dash and the 4 wires were taped off. In the latter case, all I had to do was locate the taped off wires and connect them. It's my opinion that any vehicle having the facory installed 7-way all ready has the underdash wiring for installing a brake controller. See this video link for more information http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FhHfjTO8SY.
 

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#21 ·
Good find. Yes Dodge has been doing that setup for sometime. I'm hopeful that Jeep has followed!!
 
#22 ·
Open up the link posted by plasticar,( mopar accessories) open up the pdf file just below the price...print out the instrutions ,you well see it mostly plug n play but requires us to dissassemble our dash to get to the back of a power port...to plug in one half of the harness......the other side require us to splice into our brake light switch....not to bad but who wants to pry out or dash componets....they should have made it a little more easier......good luck doing mine in about 2 weeks deer hunting this weekend................pattyboy
 
#23 ·
In some of the pics it looks like there are two harnesses. I wonder if you get the full towing package that you only need the small harness to plug in under the dash. Strange that the plug in port found under the dash looks like it has enough wires to accommodate a brake controller. Looking forward to hearing back from WK2 owners that attempt install.
 
#25 · (Edited)
We picked up our Jeep today. :D

Looks like the connector is ready under the dash. The pigtail wiring was in the glovebox. Hopefully you can read the instructions in the attached picture.

Text Wire Technology Electronic device Cable
 
#27 ·
We picked up our Jeep today. :D

Looks like the connector is ready under the dash. The pigtail wiring was in the glovebox. Hopefully you can read the instructions in the attached picture.

View attachment 4195

Geeez....it only took about 3 weeks to get a straight answer about this. :eek: Doesn't seem it should be that difficult. THANKS PLASTICAR!!!!
 
#28 ·
i Have no pigtail either. Built in August.

I am confused though, so does the connector go to the brake controller or the connection under the dash? It doesnt make sense that any wiring would be required. To me a class IV tow package means everything associated with towing a trailer requiring a heavy class iv trailer including being wired for brake controller. Seems to me it should only require a connector cable to go from under the dash to the controller and should not have to worry about wiring pigtails.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Called westbury jeep parts today to purchase the new found kit in some of our glove boxes,the part # is non existing in there data base . call jeep customer care with the discovery of the new kit, it has to go to a tech ,should hear by monday...i did infact purchase the part #82210512ab nothing in the instrutions resambles a 2011 dash looks like a commanded and a 2010wk,,,, waiting for an answer...pattyboy ( my build date is 9-15)
 
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