Trailer brake controller

[madmanmanick]

I have recently bought a 2004 Dodge Ram. I have found a trailer brake controller and it is tied into the transmission, rear diff, and the engine. I wanted to know if I completely remove it how badly would this mess everything up? I really don't want a trailer brake controller, but I also don't want to remove it if it will mess things up.

 

[lpennock]

I have recently bought a 2004 Dodge Ram. I have found a trailer brake controller and it is tied into the transmission, rear diff, and the engine. I wanted to know if I completely remove it how badly would this mess everything up? I really don't want a trailer brake controller, but I also don't want to remove it if it will mess things up.

What is brand and model? Most controllers are only tied into brake lights. Those controllers can be removed with out issue.

 

[madmanmanick]

The only thing on it is the patent numbers which were by Larry Eccleston for Brake Controllers. All my searches based on the patent numbers just keep leading me to more information about the patent. The patent numbers that are on it are 5149176, 5050937, D331226, 4144131, 5352028.

 

[lpennock]

How many wires are going into it? Most controllers have 4.
10 or 12 ga ground, battery and output to trailer.
14 or 16ga brake sense

 

[madmanmanick]

It has between 10-14 wires. 7 from the 7 pin connector, 3 from the engine, power, ground, relay, and others going here and there.

 

[lpennock]

Need to find manufacturer and get a manual before attempting to pull it IMO.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

It has between 10-14 wires. 7 from the 7 pin connector, 3 from the engine, power, ground, relay, and others going here and there.

Never seen a brake controller with that many wires. Sounds like a remote starter to me.

Is it attached to the dash/kick panel or tucked up behind the dash?

 

[madmanmanick]

It was attached to the kick panel, but I removed it and tucked it up under the dash. It has a knob on the side of it for Gain, don't know what that is for.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Any pics of the unit? Have you verified it is a brake controller?

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

It was attached to the kick panel, but I removed it and tucked it up under the dash. It has a knob on the side of it for Gain, don't know what that is for.

Can you get a pic of it?

You may want to check Hayes Towing Electronics www.hayesbc.com

 

[madmanmanick]

 

[madmanmanick]

for some reason a couple of the pictures posted more than once.

 

[AH64ID]

I only see the standard 4 wires going to it, and it appears to be a standard brake controller.

Where are all the other wires you where talking about?

Only one of the wires on the 7 pin trailer connector is from the brake controller, the rest are from the truck (ground, charge, L light, R light, reverse lights, parking lights, brakes).

Also, why don't you want a trailer brake controller?

EDIT: It appears to be a Tekonsha Voyager brake controller, which is a standard 4 wire brake controller.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I only see the standard 4 wires going to it, and it appears to be a standard brake controller.

Same here. Follow those wires back. It may be a Dodge-specific harness that connects to the trucks brake controller connector.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Same here - definitely a brake controller.

Looks like this:
http://www.tekonsha.com/products/br...proportional/TzaIxkVx1cI5XOy!osRB54WVEaGlY|zH

 

[madmanmanick]

there are the four wires going into the controller, tracing the wires back it goes to a massive plug with 10-14 wires. This plug has wires coming out of it with 3 going to the engine, 7 going to the 7 pin connector, a couple wires going to the transmission, a couple to the rear diff, and some going to a relay. There is a line coming off the relay that is hardwired straight into the relay and fuse box.

 

[AH64ID]

there are the four wires going into the controller, tracing the wires back it goes to a massive plug with 10-14 wires. This plug has wires coming out of it with 3 going to the engine, 7 going to the 7 pin connector, a couple wires going to the transmission, a couple to the rear diff, and some going to a relay. There is a line coming off the relay that is hardwired straight into the relay and fuse box.

Sounds like it's a connector with multiple circuits in it but they aren't all for the brake controller.

There is nothing fancy about that brake controller setup. The 4 wires coming out of it should have a connector after 12-18".

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

If nothing else just unplug the connector from the controller, tape it so the contacts aren't exposed, and tuck it up out of the way.

 

[lpennock]

there are the four wires going into the controller, tracing the wires back it goes to a massive plug with 10-14 wires. This plug has wires coming out of it with 3 going to the engine, 7 going to the 7 pin connector, a couple wires going to the transmission, a couple to the rear diff, and some going to a relay. There is a line coming off the relay that is hardwired straight into the relay and fuse box.

The pig tail going to the controller should be a connector at that large junction that you should be able to disconnect.

Personally, I would disconnect at controller end and tuck under the dash. Then throw the controller in the glove compartment until you need it. That will save you from buying one at a later date.