Need help with the 7 pin connector on my Jeep

Anything electric, AC or DC

Need help with the 7 pin connector on my Jeep

Postby dh » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:18 pm

When I bought my Jeep it was two years old, and had a reciever hitch and a 7 pin trailer plug. The plug has Chrysler imprinted on it, and I assume it is factory.

What pin does what and how do I test to see if the vehicle has a factory break controller?

I have used a 4pin adapter and know the lights work properly, but want to make sure everything else is cool.

Is there any adjustment to a vehicle with a "Factory" brake controller? I remember back in the early 90's grandpa got his truck wired with a "new style" solid state controller that took a signel from the vehicles break light wire on the break pedal itself. I also remember lots of adjusting with brake power and delay to get them right.
Ignorant doesn't know any better, Stupid knows better but does it anyway.

My build page: http://www.tdbuildlog.blogspot.com/
User avatar
dh
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:08 pm
Location: North East Arkansas

Postby jeep_bluetj » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:41 pm

You most likely do NOT have a factory brake controller.

You very likely have a socket under the dash to connetct a brake controller to -- and when the vehicle was new, a pigtail was supplied to connect the brake controller.

Look in your owners manual, it'll tell you what you need and how to hook up the controller.
-- Jeff --
User avatar
jeep_bluetj
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 274
Images: 17
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:13 pm
Location: SoCal

Postby Shadow Catcher » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:36 am

Try www.wkjeeps.com/wk_towing.htm
There is a good wiring diagram about half way down.
User avatar
Shadow Catcher
Donating Member
 
Posts: 5993
Images: 234
Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:26 pm
Location: Metamora, OH
Top

Postby CPlater » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:47 am

http://www.etrailer.com/c-BC.htm has controllers and the site will help figure out what fits your vehicle. The also have some how-to videos that I found useful even though it did not cover my exact model was not covered.
Courtney
User avatar
CPlater
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:17 pm
Location: N. Alabama
Top

Postby jdarkoregon » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:36 am

To test, go buy a cheap circuit tester for 3 or 4 bucks (the kind with a clip on one end of a wire and a light/metal point on the other end) Connect the clip to the frame and put the metal point on each prong of the 7WAY and start recording what happens to each prong when you play with your lights

I found this, which should be the "standard" setup

Image

From http://www.etrailer.com

Have fun

John
Innovation is essential
The world can be better
ImageImage
User avatar
jdarkoregon
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1236
Images: 47
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:07 pm
Location: Oregon, Sublimity
Top

Postby jakie » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:26 am

My experience with 7 pin connectors is that there is usually only the 4 pins that are required to run the lights and signals. The rest you have to wire yourself, or get wired. For example, the central auxilliary power line needs to be wired from the vehicle battery, with a fuse, and possibly a device to limit how much power you draw, so you do not totally drain your TV.
I was going to build a gen benroy....now...foamie here I come
User avatar
jakie
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 44
Images: 5
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 4:43 pm
Location: Beaumont, Alberta Canada
Top

Postby Dale M. » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:53 am

On late model GM trucks, everything is wired.... Brake controller, 12 volts (at 40 amps - fused under hood)....

You need to test all connections and read owners manual to see what manufacturer provided.....

Dale
Lives his life vicariously through his own self.

Any statement made by me are strictly my own opinion.
You are free to ignore anything I say if you do not agree.

Image
User avatar
Dale M.
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2693
Images: 18
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite National Park
Top

Postby jakie » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:14 am

I guess I haven't had new enough vehicles! :lol:
I was going to build a gen benroy....now...foamie here I come
User avatar
jakie
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 44
Images: 5
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 4:43 pm
Location: Beaumont, Alberta Canada
Top

Postby Dale M. » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:44 am

jakie wrote:I guess I haven't had new enough vehicles! :lol:


I think it varies between manufacturers.......

Best solution is to test all the connections and see what mfg actually provided..... I know with my Chevy the fuse for aux power was taped to my brake controller (accessory ) cable ... And owners manual was kind of, sorta helpful....

Dale
Lives his life vicariously through his own self.

Any statement made by me are strictly my own opinion.
You are free to ignore anything I say if you do not agree.

Image
User avatar
Dale M.
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2693
Images: 18
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite National Park
Top

Postby dh » Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:54 pm

Thanks for the help.
Ignorant doesn't know any better, Stupid knows better but does it anyway.

My build page: http://www.tdbuildlog.blogspot.com/
User avatar
dh
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:08 pm
Location: North East Arkansas
Top

Postby wlooper89 » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:32 pm

jdarkoregon wrote:To test, go buy a cheap circuit tester for 3 or 4 bucks (the kind with a clip on one end of a wire and a light/metal point on the other end) Connect the clip to the frame and put the metal point on each prong of the 7WAY and start recording what happens to each prong when you play with your lights

I found this, which should be the "standard" setup

Image

From http://www.etrailer.com

Have fun

John


My previous tow vehicle was a Jeep and the new one is also wired the same as the above diagram. It is important to note which end of the connector is referenced in the diagram. It seems a bit odd to me that it is the cable end or rear of both the male and female connectors. For examble looking at the connector on the Jeep from behind the vehicle facing the license plate, the brake wire pin is in the five o'clock position.

It will be a big plus if you have a connector under the dash for the brake controller. I did not have that on the new tow vehicle and had to run the wires to the controller from the battery, from tow vehicle brake switch to the controller and output wire to the hitch connector.

Bill
User avatar
wlooper89
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 581
Images: 75
Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2006 9:47 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
Top

Postby Dale M. » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:55 am

That is because that is where all the work occurs, where one does all the connecting ........ If it were other way around people would have mirror image and be total confused where to put wires.....

But then again I usually wire by the "function indicators" (numbers - letters) stamped into connector body....

Dale
Lives his life vicariously through his own self.

Any statement made by me are strictly my own opinion.
You are free to ignore anything I say if you do not agree.

Image
User avatar
Dale M.
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2693
Images: 18
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite National Park
Top


Return to Electrical Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests