Controller Brake wire

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Hi all,

I am currently wiring in an electric trailer brake unit. Can any member please let me know where the recommended Prado pickup point is for the brake wire? photo's would be good. :?:

John

[emptyman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close emptyman]

In the meantime, take a look at http://www.campertrailers.org/tech_tips.htm
as it has topics on:
ELECTRIC BRAKE TROUBLESHOOTER
TRAILER PLUG & SOCKET WIRING DIAGRAMS

especially...
http://www.campertrailers.org/trailer_w ... iagram.htm

[emptyman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close emptyman]

Apologies... I know you are asking about the brake controller "unit" inside the Prado usually near the drivers left knee. I am in the middle of adding electric brakes to my camper trailer at the moment, as well as adding a full 12V system to a bare trailer, so I thought it may be useful to have anyway.

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Thanks emptyman,

Chasing the Prado connection point for the brake wire of the Prodogy electric bake unit mounted under\in the dash.

Good web sites though. definitely the plug connection diagrams.

John

[emptyman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close emptyman]

I have a Hayman Reece brake controller mounted near my left knee, but I also have a spare Tekoshna Prodigy from my brother in-laws old car. Since you probably just went down this path, do you have any opinions (or other peoples opinions), as I could potentially swap them over. I have heard the Prodigy is a better unit, but "better" is a very subjective term.

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

I have just replaced my old Prado with the D4D and hence the reason for the reinstall of the Prodigy.

I also had a Haymen and found it had issues of occasionally braking the camper too hard - especially when I had knocked the Haymen with my knee or I was on a bad corrugated road.

The new Prodigy has given me no problems. I have found it to be a great unit. Level adjustments are not required with the Prodigy as it adjusts itself. Also indicates when the trailer is attached.

Cheers,

John

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

Hi Johnk

I ran a cable to the rear brake light and tapped off that (heaps of room in side channels to the back). It was too hard for an old fart like me to get under the dash. Also there were 3 wires on the brake light switch (i hate multiple choices) and I was not game to try and find it it was the last wire I cut.

Pete S

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Thanks Pete S,

Thinking I might do the same. Working under the old Prado Dash was bad. Guessing the new dash will be worse.

I was hoping Tojo might have thought ahead and wired to the back and left a plug under the dash for a brake controller. Obviously they don't tow in Japan.

John

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

John,
Here is a link to the installation pdf.
http://www.tekonsha.com/instructions/BC%20Wiring.pdf
Please take note that you have to run a wire from the unit to the passenger rear brake light (because of the Cruise Control). They also tell you to connect it to the cold side of the connection, meaning dont connect to the wire running directly back to the front. Read the pdf and you will see what I mean. I installed my own Prodigy and its as easy as putting lego together ... :shock: :shock:
Hope this helps.
cheers

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Thanks MTpockets,

Great forum to belong to.

Cheers,

John

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

Let us know how you go John. 8)

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Hi MTpockets,

Finally got around to installing the Prodigy. Thought I was sweet but looks like I may have picked up the wrong stop wire at the left hand back stop light. Picked up the stop wire (red) heading off to the 7 pin trailer plug (fitted buy Toyota) which I think is wrong. The Prodogy seems low in voltage output and one taillight and one stop light come on together on the camper when the brake is pushed.

Looking at the Toyjo wiring diagram the stop light wire at the rear appears to be Geen-Yellow.

Can you please let me know which wire you spliced into at the rear left.

Thanks in advance

John

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

Hi John,
The wife has the car today, I will pull the tail light out and check for you this evening.
cheers
Les

[Pedro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pedro]

This thread has a few photos of where to site the Prodigy unit, and might give you some ideas.

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic....005&highlight=

As you will see mine is in the ashtray area.

[Johnk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johnk]

Thanks Les,

I am guessing I have connected to the wrong stop light wire. Mind you, I remember reading in a thread (which I can't find) Toyota wire revering lights to the trailer plug. This might also be a problem. I plan to pull the plug off and check. :roll:

Cheers,

John