Wire in Factory Trailer Brake without Factory Harness

[DeafBringer]

Has anyone wired in a factory brake controller into an expedition that does not have the trailer brake harness from the factory? I have a 2012 XL trim that does not have the HD tow package. It only has the tow hitch and factory 4 prong plug. I haven't looked under the driver kick panel to see if there's a factory plug for the brake controller yet. But seeing that several other plugs are missing such as no steering wheel audio control plug, I'm prepared to assume there won't be a factory brake controller plug.

I got my hands on a factory brake controller and would like to use it as it mounts to the dash in the factory location and looks great. Trying to search specifically for people wiring in a factory controller has not produced any results other than the HD tow package info/debate. I did see that someone provided the pin out for the factory brake controller (thank you to whoever you are!) that I can work off of if it's possible (https://charm.li/Ford/2009/Expediti...ontrol/Trailer Brake Control Module/Diagrams/).

Any thoughts or advice on how to wire this in if there's no factory harness plug?

 

[inmanlanier]

Sorry for the delayed response. YES - I did something similar for an aftermarket controller on my 2011. In my case I only needed the power line run - all the other factory wiring worked. As I recall, the brake controller that I bought (aftermarket) had an optional adapter harness for under the dash to connect it to the factory harness under the dash.

For lug 4 of the 7 pin (12V charging line for the trailer emergency stop battery) I needed to run power. In the forward fuse panel above the radiator, I picked an unused breaker slot (there were a few with bare lugs sticking up). I simply got a female spade connector & wire, ran the wire in the box to the passenger side where I notched the side of the box plastic to enable the wire to exit (so I can keep the lid on the fuse box closed). Right out box I then have an in-line fuse. I then ran the wire all the way back under the car to the 7 pin plug, carefully zip tie-ing and putting wire loom on the conductor wherever rock chips or whatever may get to it.

 

[Riodad]

I bought a kit from Etrailer that plugged into the factory 4 way that plugged into the new 7 way on my 2014 EL that does not have tow package. Had to run a hot lead from the battery back to the 7 way with a fuse. That part was pretty simple, then bought the Kurt Echo Wireless Brake Controller that works off Bluetooth and plugs into the 7 way and trailer plugs into it. Works on an app so you can see it working and if you want more control there's a manual override by just touching the screen. Have two tow vehicles and didn't want to have to install the dash box in both. Once I figured out a couple of bugs, it works great! I found a second echo on Marketplace for $50 instead of the almost 300 retail.