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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / October 2005'05 Explorer/Tekonsha Trailer Brake Connection
Hi! I recently replaced my '94 Exploder with an '05. Lots of things I read say that I can get a Ford wiring harness for my Tekonsha Prodigy and just plug it right in. I tried it this evening, and I can't find where the wiring harness plugs into the Explorer. Could anyone enlighten me? I'm excited to see how the increased torque and horsepower will pull our trailer. But I also want to make sure it will stop! Oh, and where do most people mount these things? All I saw under the dash was plastic. The metal parts are pretty recessed up under the dash. They also looked like aluminum, not steel. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks! Richard Minami '05 Ford Explorer XLT Sport 4x4 '94 Honda Accord LX '97 Coleman Yukon Oh, and where do most >people mount these things? All I saw under the dash was plastic. The metal >parts are pretty recessed up under the dash. They also looked like >aluminum, not steel. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Richard: I have a 2004 Tribute 4X4 and mount my Prodigy into the plastic as far left as I could go so it is about 30 degrees sloping. Take it out when not towing for more leg room. Get in carefully when it is mounted to not bang it. I have a Chevy Astro and my controller is mounted in the plastic below the console, to the right of the column. It's out of the way of my knee. No need to take it out or to get in carefully. I don't know how knee space in my Astro compares to your vehicle. > I have a 2004 Tribute 4X4 and mount my Prodigy into the plastic as far > left as I could go so it is about 30 degrees sloping. > > Take it out when not towing for more leg room. > > Get in carefully when it is mounted to not bang it. If you don't smoke, is there room to take out the ash tray and put it in its place? I've done that on 2 different vehicles... Wesley > I have a Chevy Astro and my controller is mounted in the plastic below the > console, to the right of the column. It's out of the way of my knee. No need [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > > > Get in carefully when it is mounted to not bang it. That's a great idea! mel Wesley a écrit: > If you don't smoke, is there room to take out the ash tray and put it in its > place? I've done that on 2 different vehicles... [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >>> >>>Get in carefully when it is mounted to not bang it. In the 2002 Explorer, the connector was behind the glove box (!) and required opening the glove box, squeezing the back side edges together, and the glove box would swing down revealing the brake controller connector. Don't know if that has changed since then. > Hi! I recently replaced my '94 Exploder with an '05. Lots of things I > read > say that I can get a Ford wiring harness for my Tekonsha Prodigy and just > plug it right in. I tried it this evening, and I can't find where the > wiring harness plugs into the Explorer. Could anyone enlighten me? Wow, how did you ever find it? Is it documented anywhere? I didn't find anything in the user manual. I'd hate to have to buy a shop manual. (first 3 years of maintenance was included!) Thanks! Richard > In the 2002 Explorer, the connector was behind the glove box (!) and > required opening the glove box, squeezing the back side edges together, and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > plug it right in. I tried it this evening, and I can't find where the > > wiring harness plugs into the Explorer. Could anyone enlighten me? Found this info in a newsgroup, not on my own efforts. Most vehicles have the connector tucked right there behind the dash, including my current Expedition. If your Explorer came with the tow package, it is SOMEwhere. Tobe > Wow, how did you ever find it? Is it documented anywhere? I didn't find > anything in the user manual. I'd hate to have to buy a shop manual. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >> the glove box would swing down revealing the brake controller connector. >> Don't know if that has changed since then. Richard, I have an 04 explorer xlt I mounted my prodigy on the right side of the steering wheel where it sits above my right knee not in the way at all if you drive with the seat back a little and the self leveling of the prodigy the slope is not a problem. I leave the mount in and take the controller out in the off season. I routed the harness up and over the heater duct just behind the radio then connected to the plug behind the glove box they have it taped to the mound of other wires and dont give you much of a tail. You can get a wiring harness with a plug for the controller instead of using the one that comes with the vehicle and controller just do a search on the net for wiring harness for ford explorer prodigy brake control. Enjoy works great Dave Detrick 04 Explorer 98 Coachmen Clipper > Hi! I recently replaced my '94 Exploder with an '05. Lots of things I > read [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > '94 Honda Accord LX > '97 Coleman Yukon Hmm, still can't find it! I have the wiring harness, I just don't know where to plug it in. I guess I'll have to break down and drive down to the dealer. Thanks for the mounting tips! Richard > Richard, > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > '94 Honda Accord LX > > '97 Coleman Yukon In case anyone else is still looking, this was posted for the Explorer by Ed White. Richard ____________________ From http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15090808/gotomsg/15581796.cfm "2005 Ford Explorer with Tow Package: The brake controller connector is on the passenger side, under the dash, tucked up behind the glove box. Mine was taped, connector side up, to another wire so it was not obvious. "To get the connector to the driver side, thread it through the small opening on the engine side of the center console at the floor. (You'll need to move the carpet and rubber gasket aside on both sides. Shine a light through.) Have someone help." Ed > Hi! I recently replaced my '94 Exploder with an '05. Lots of things I > read [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > '94 Honda Accord LX > '97 Coleman Yukon That's very stupid of Ford in my mind to put the connector in a such difficult place to reach. In my mind, it cost them more to do it this way vs putting it at a decent place. on my Chevy 1500 and Ram 1500, it took me 10-15 minutes to have the job completely done. Some people will do it themselves anyway, and most likely the ford service technician doesn't have a clue what a brake controller looks like anyway, and even most likely, anyone who would have the job done by someone else would have it done at a trailer shop or RV dealer. can't figure out why they would hide the connector this way???? Mel Richard Minami a écrit: > In case anyone else is still looking, this was posted for the Explorer by Ed > White. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >>'94 Honda Accord LX >>'97 Coleman Yukon My 2000 Ford Expedition brake controller connector is right where it should be, directly behind the bottom lip of the front console on the driver's side. Seems the obscure location is specific to the Explorer, and pretty stupid. mel a écrit: > That's very stupid of Ford in my mind to put the connector in a such > difficult place to reach. In my mind, it cost them more to do it this way > vs putting it at a decent place. It doesn't necessarily cost them more. The wiring probably is in place before the dashboard. > That's very stupid of Ford in my mind to put the connector in a such > difficult place to reach. In my mind, it cost them more to do it this way [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] >>>'94 Honda Accord LX >>>'97 Coleman Yukon FWIW, I was pleaseantly surprised to find a small steel bracket under the dash of my 04 F-150 just right of the emergency brake pedal. It seemed just right for my brake controller, so there is where I mounted mine. Plenty of clearance for my left knee and I don't kick it when getting in or out. It is obscured somewhat by the steering wheel when attempting to see the LED indicator or when reaching down to adjust the gain and power settings. The plug for the pigtail is way up under there just right of the steering column. It is located behind a large plug for diagnostic equipment and tough to reach and fit the plug in. Ford must have intended that bracket for something else, but it is just about perfect for the brake controller. Why the manufacturers have not provided a little more help in this area is beyond me - I mean, lots of folks buy lots of trucks and suv's to pull trailers, and those trailers have brakes needing controllers. That little bracket can't possibly add much to the cost of the vehicle, and why not try and make the pigtail plug more accesable. I know this doesn' t help with the Explorer question, but might help anyone with the 04 or later F-150. Kirk P m@For.me> wrote in message news:hd5qe.113046$J25.18370@bignews6.bellsouth.net... > It doesn't necessarily cost them more. The wiring probably is in place > before the dashboard. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > >> ____________________ > >> From http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15090808/gotomsg/155 81796.cfm > >> "2005 Ford Explorer with Tow Package: The brake controller > >> connector is on the passenger side, under the dash, tucked [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > >>>'94 Honda Accord LX > >>>'97 Coleman Yukon Pulling the trailer is actually WHY we had to buy an SUV. I really like the new mini vans out there. Good gas mileage, good features. But they only tow 3,500 lbs. Huh? Let's see. I have a family. I don't want to damage the environment by driving an SUV. I think I can get away from 4WD. People have done it for years. I want to do stuff outdoors. Oh, but my growing family owns a trailer. So, I'm stuck with a gas sucking SUV. If I'm going to get an SUV, of course I'm going to get 4WD, I live south of Seattle, close to the mountains. All that so I can tow a few pounds more. (well a few other reasons, but you get the idea) So I did find the pigtail connector. It was behind the glove compartment, toward the left side. I had a nice reflection from the sun off my Honda, so I had a nice red light showing the way to route the wiring harness. But boy, sure didn't feel right drilling holes in my brand new Explorer's dash! The controller looks nice though, and is out of the way. I mounted it to the right of the steering column, above the gas pedal. I hope the plastic is strong enough! Thanks for everyone's help. I hope these postings help other '05 Explorer owners! Richard Minami '05 Ford Explorer XLT Sport 4x4 (Fire Red!) '97 Coleman Yukon > FWIW, I was pleaseantly surprised to find a small steel bracket under the > dash of my 04 F-150 just right of the emergency brake pedal. It seemed just [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > >> ____________________ > > >> From http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15090808/gotomsg/155 > 81796.cfm > > >> [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > >>>'94 Honda Accord LX > > >>>'97 Coleman Yukon > of course I'm going to get 4WD, I live south of Seattle, > close to the mountains. All that so I can tow a few pounds more In fact, a 4x4 model should be towing less than a 2x4. the 4x4 mecanism being heavier... you usually loose a few hundred pounds Mel Richard Minami a écrit: > Pulling the trailer is actually WHY we had to buy an SUV. I really like the > new mini vans out there. Good gas mileage, good features. But they only [quoted text clipped - 160 lines] >>>>>>'94 Honda Accord LX >>>>>>'97 Coleman Yukon Yup! I've found that the Explorers are built on a truck frame, as opposed to a mini van's unit body contraction, so it tows a lot more. 3,500 lbs vs. 5,380. The 4x4 reduces towing capacity by 400 lbs. Most SUVs just tow more. If they made a mini van that could tow like 4,500 lbs, we probably would have gone that route. But anyway, the Explorer is a nice ride! Richard >> of course I'm going to get 4WD, I live south of Seattle, >> close to the mountains. All that so I can tow a few pounds more [quoted text clipped - 183 lines] >>>>>>>'94 Honda Accord LX >>>>>>>'97 Coleman Yukon > Yup! I've found that the Explorers are built on a truck frame, as opposed > to a mini van's unit body contraction, so it tows a lot more. Thats very true. Mini vans don't make very good tow vehicles. When I went shopping for a new tow vehicle I looked at the Explorer. It's problem is that it doesn't have a live rear axle. Nice riding but doesn't handle loads as well as a truck/suv that does. I opted for the new Hemi Durango. It's awesome and handles my trailer better than I expected. |
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