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BigDaveZJ
07-19-2009, 08:36 PM
With the M416 my new axle will have electric brakes and I will move my Tekonsha Prodigy over to the ZJ when it's pulling the M416. My ZJ already has the 7 plug trailer harness back by the hitch, so I'm good there, just need to figure out what color wire goes where since I knocked the plug off 7-8 years ago. That should be pretty easy though.

I know a few guys here have towed big enough loads with a ZJ to require trailer brakes, anything special to look out for when wiring up the controller? I bought a plug and play harness for my F250 so I didn't have to wire anything up there at all, but ZJ's do not offer that luxury.

Wilder
07-20-2009, 01:55 AM
There's a Wire located just to the outboard side of the steering column.. Mine had a little tag that said Trailer brake.. I Think it was Blue.. Mines a 94 with a 5.2l.

chadjans
07-20-2009, 02:35 AM
Blue

rstrucks
07-20-2009, 11:09 AM
My "trailer" wire ran from the drivers footwell to the rear - almost. It stopped right behind where the spare tire sits. I had to remove the trim panel to access the wire. Not sure if that is the case with all of them, but it was with mine.

Derek33
07-20-2009, 12:01 PM
My "trailer" wire ran from the drivers footwell to the rear - almost. It stopped right behind where the spare tire sits. I had to remove the trim panel to access the wire. Not sure if that is the case with all of them, but it was with mine.

Thats where mine is.

geberhard
11-05-2010, 06:56 PM
Bringing this therad back form the depths :)

I am planning to do some moderate towing with my ZJ 5.9. It has teh factory trailer harness and hitch (tow package). I am planning to installa breakj controller. SO the question I have is (not too clear after reading this thread):


1- I need to plug the blue wire mentioned by the steering wheel to the brakje controller.

2- On teh rear of the ZJ, the same cable, will eb underneath the trim on the driver's side (behind the stock spare location)\over the rear driver's tire fenderwheel area. I need to remove the trim, and locate the blue wire.

3- So where does the blue wire plug to? I need to connect the blue wire to my rear trailer harness, and if so how\where?

some poser action shots :P

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/Firebird/IMG00052-20101105-0823.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/Firebird/IMG00053-20101105-0823.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/Firebird/IMG00054-20101105-0823.jpg

Thanks!

Gui

chadjans
11-06-2010, 03:09 AM
Have you purchased the controller yet?

BigDaveZJ
11-06-2010, 11:13 AM
If you have the factory harness the blue wire should already go to your 7 pin connector. That's how my 95 was set up.

K2
11-06-2010, 11:19 AM
The blue wire goes to the blue wire in your harness. That is the wire for the brakes.

Also, on my 95, the blue wire ended at the amp under the back seat.

Edit: I just re-read, after Dave posted, that you have the factory harness. I don't, so yes it should go to your harness.

Ted_Z
11-06-2010, 01:14 PM
Where do you guy tap the harness for power to the controller?

K2
11-06-2010, 03:20 PM
I ran a wire through the firewall to the battery with an inline fuse.

whowey
11-10-2010, 12:59 AM
Does anyone have a pinout of the factory 7-pin plug. Every wire in mine on my 94 was corroded off and I need to wire in a completely new plug??


I know the 14 gauge blue wire is the trailer brake wire and the black 14 gauge should be the 12 volt aux power wire. I need to know what the other 5 are.

JordanA
11-10-2010, 10:15 AM
Every wire in mine on my 94 was corroded off and I need to wire in a completely new plug??




Is this a question? A google search came up with this, which I figured could be pretty much the same across the board.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3274132386_0723915d6c.jpg

edit: That could be 100% incorrect, though.

edit 2: Actually, this is the "trailer end", the "Jeep" end should be the mirror image of the above ( I say "Jeep" because that my be a Chevy diagram).

geberhard
11-10-2010, 03:03 PM
Awesome help, thanks! I have not bought a controller yet. Any recommendations?

I am still a bit leery about towing with the ZJ, but could possibly do some lighter towing. The Jeep being towed is a heavy pig, so Jeep plus trailer wil probably be in the 5500-6500 pound limit yiiikes!

Anyone installed air springs or bags in the rear and have recomendations?

ZJ TINS
11-10-2010, 04:18 PM
Trucks! had a show where they installed in a pickup small bags you adjust for cargo/trailer weight and zero when no load. Might search their website.

ride rite (http://4wheelonline.com/jeep/Firestone_Ride_Rite_Jeep_Grand_Cherokee.133447.450 159)

whowey
12-05-2010, 10:20 AM
Is this a question? A google search came up with this, which I figured could be pretty much the same across the board.



edit: That could be 100% incorrect, though.

edit 2: Actually, this is the "trailer end", the "Jeep" end should be the mirror image of the above ( I say "Jeep" because that my be a Chevy diagram).


Yes.. that was a serious question...

I found that link... but its 100% incorrect....
Those are the "standard" colorings of the wires. But of course Chrysler in their infinite wisdom used almost completely different colorings...

There are 2 14 gauge wires and 5 18 gauge ones.

The 14 gauge wires are:
Light Blue -> this should be the brakes..
Black --> I believe this is the 12 volt aux power

But the other colors run like this...
Tan
Light Green
Red w/ Black Stripe
Black
Dark Blue w/ Red Stripe.

I tried switching the different lights on and back probing with a volt meter. But I was getting some conflicting readings.. Such as the LG wire having voltage when all the lights were on. And the large Black never have 12v at all...

BigDaveZJ
12-05-2010, 12:16 PM
I used my Factory Service Manual to figure out what was what.

JordanA
12-05-2010, 07:15 PM
I used my Factory Service Manual to figure out what was what.

Care to share?

BigDaveZJ
12-05-2010, 07:25 PM
My FSM is buried somewhere out in the garage right now, so not really, lol.

JordanA
12-06-2010, 11:36 AM
Ha, at least you're honest, Dave.

whowey
12-11-2010, 08:08 PM
Thanks.. I was hoping to avoid another session laying in the snow encrusted driveway will the multi-meter probing wires.