Brake controller wiring (trailer brakes) on 2004 Dodge 1500

[caughtacase73]

I just put a new to me topper on my dodge and was trying to figure out how to wire up the brakelight( still not sure). As I was searching I read about my brake controller and that even with the factory tow package that the wiring for the trailer brakes to my 7 pin plug may not be hooked up. For some reason dodge did not run the blue wire from front to back or something to that effect. Now I bought a used boat last year with electric trailer brakes that I could not get to work and I assumed it was a trailer issue.

Does anyone have any info on this issue and how to remedy the potential problem.

Thanks for any help and if anyone has advice on wiring a brake light and interior light on a topper I could use that advice too.

[Deep]

Under the left rear side of the truck box a wire will be taped back for you brake light. Does you truck have a 7 way factory trailer plug on it? Where do you have your trailer brake unit hooked into?

[jeffreyd]

check the fuse box under the hood, there is a fuse that is not in place i think for the controller. also there should be a plug by the park brake pedal that will mate up to the controller.

[caughtacase73]

Thanks for the tip on the brake light. I will check for it as soon as the snow and ice melts from under my truck.

I have the factory 7 pin. My brake controller is plugged into the factory 4 prong plug under the dash (behind the e-brake). I thought I read that the blue trailer brake is run to the drivers front wheel well and terminates there. I just looked under my hood and did see a blue wire coiled but not hooked to anything. I could not really tell were it comes from other that somewhere behind the firewall. I will have to get under the truck and see if I can figure out if the 7 pin plug has a blue wire going to it or not. I was just thinking that if someone else ran into this I would know that was my problem. Thanks again for the help.

[caughtacase73]

I do have power to the controller (prodigy) but it always showed as an open circuit. I assumed it was an issue with my trailer brakes but I have not had a chance to try a different trailer to check.

[Valv]

You won't find a blue wire in your 7 prong plug, they are all OEM colors (black/green, white/red, etc)

Does your controller flashes "nb" ? That means trailer brakes is not working.

BUT

Does your boat have electric BRAKES or electric UNLOCK, which is the unlock for surge brakes so you can backup the rig.

It's very odd they make electric boat trailer brakes, they are coil magnets, and if submerged in water they will short, they also have a small battery for the breakaway switch. Usually boat trailers have surge hydraulic brakes. The blue wire in the trailer harness is to activate a solenoid to release the pressure from the surge master cylinder in the trailer tongue, so you can backup.

Check any trailer wheel if it has a metal pipe going into the hub or it's an actual electric wire, and also if you have a battery for the breakaway switch.

Don't remove or alter anything on your truck, for now.

[Deep]

Sorry but you are getting miss guided on the blue wire.

If you want to email me I'll give you my cell and help you out, I have worked for a Dodge dealer for 23 years. It would be easier to talk in person.Doug

[email protected]

[caughtacase73]

Deep, thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it. I will try to do more research. This is all new stuff to me.

Valve, the trailer has electric brakes. The guy I bought if from said he had them added when he moved to Utah for a couple of years and wanted the added safety. The boat is a 17 starcraft w/ an ez loader trailer so I don't think I am required to have brakes by law but thought I might as well try to get them to work if they were on the trailer. I see you point about dumping electro magnets in and out of water.

Again thanks for your help guys. I will do a bit more looking at my rig and see what I can find.

[Valv]

Sorry but you are getting miss guided on the blue wire.

If you want to email me I'll give you my cell and help you out, I have worked for a Dodge dealer for 23 years. It would be easier to talk in person.Doug

[email protected]

I don't see the "miss guided", a 2004 Dodge Ram does not have a blue wire in the trailer 7 pin connector.

[Deep]

I won't get into a battle about this, but Dodge has a install kit that has a blue wire and a red wire that is run up to the front. If I had the VIN I could of gave more info. Just trying to help out. By the way 12 volt will not short out in water, it will cause a draw but will not short out, don't believe me? Run water over your battery and see if you vehicle will starts.

[jeffreyd]

are they thinking of the extra wires pulled thru the firewall and terminated in the loom above the steering shaft below the windshield?

[Deep]

That is what I was trying to get to.

[Valv]

That has nothing to do with the bumper mounted 7 pin plug. The one under the dash is a simple 4 wire where you just plug in your controller, it's already set up at the factory all you have to do is connect a small harness, usually sold separate from the controller since all 4 brands have different settings.