I'm just about to install a brake controller on my SCrew and everything looks pretty straight foward, but I am not sure about one wire. The brown wire that is marked "Illumunation". What is this wire for? By looking at the wiring diagram that came with the harness, it shows something like a running lights wire, but the 7 pin Connection has a hot running lights connection. Any ideas?

 

That wire is will illuminate the controller when the dash lights are turned on. Not to many controllers have this option, just tape the end since there is still power going to it. I didn't require it for mine.

 

OK, so the fact that the factory 7 pin connector has a brake terminal means what? That I have a wire or that I need to buy the controller and install to active the wire? OBTW If I need a controller, then does it go under the dash and are the wires that it attach to identified? Is there a speific controller that I should buy to make it easier? I just towed a two horse trailer and didn't appear to have any braking problems.

 

Seapine97 - thanks, thats what I thought it was for, but I had to make sure.

Cobrakit - If you have the factory tow package, all you need to do is get a brake controller and connect it to the wire harness that came with your truck. Mine was in the glove box in a bag with a couple of relays and the instructions. It is really pretty easy.

 

I quess I need to look in glove box!!! New Truck,

 

My 2003 came with a tow bumper and a 4 wire factory plug. I have the brake controller wire kit in the glove box but isn't this for a 7 wire only?
Is there a factory "plug and Play" 7 wire harness that I can get, now that I have my Reese hitch installed?
Thanks,
Lonster

 

Lonster
Yes, you can get a wiring harness that will connect into your existing wiring and will have a 7-pin and a 4-pin plug on the other end. If you have a trailer with a battery or want to use the 12v on the plug you may need to get a relay which will go in the under hood fuse box and will power up a connector on the 7-pin plug.

 

Many thanks!

Lonster

 

Just as a follow up:
I went down to Ford today and ordered up the above mentioned 7 pin/4 pin "plug and play" connector.
My truck came with the relay packet in the behind the seat storage compartment, so I will install both this weekend and be all set to tow just about anything.
Thanks for the tips and help,
Lonster