Hooking up an electric brake controller
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 5
From: Cloquet, MN
Year: 2000 Ltd.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I've been searching around and can't really find what I'm looking for....maybe some of you guys can help me.
I recently picked up a factory 7-pin trailer wire harness from the JY for my 2000 limited. Even with out the factory tow package, the XJ is still has the blue trailer brake wire in the harness on the vehicle. I plugged in the pigtail to the vehicle, but from what I understand I HAVE to have a brake controller to operate the trailer brakes. Is this the case?
If so, where does the other end of the blue wire go to? I don't have a wiring diagram to track it down. I guess it goes up under the steering column? Does it just end somewhere or is it plugged into some sort of plug that I can just plug a controller into? Do I need to splice into it somewhere?
I know a number of you guys have brake controllers on your rigs so how did you hook yours up to the existing wires in the vehicle?
I recently picked up a factory 7-pin trailer wire harness from the JY for my 2000 limited. Even with out the factory tow package, the XJ is still has the blue trailer brake wire in the harness on the vehicle. I plugged in the pigtail to the vehicle, but from what I understand I HAVE to have a brake controller to operate the trailer brakes. Is this the case?
If so, where does the other end of the blue wire go to? I don't have a wiring diagram to track it down. I guess it goes up under the steering column? Does it just end somewhere or is it plugged into some sort of plug that I can just plug a controller into? Do I need to splice into it somewhere?
I know a number of you guys have brake controllers on your rigs so how did you hook yours up to the existing wires in the vehicle?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Visiting or contacting a local RV dealer/shop may be beneficial.
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http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&h...0c0771c77b99b0
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&expIds=...0c0771c77b99b0
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 5
From: Cloquet, MN
Year: 2000 Ltd.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
You're doing the same thing on my other thread. I'm looking for specifics in regard to the XJ, not general information on how trailers are wired and how the controllers work. I already know that stuff. What I'm looking for is INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THE XJ.
Last edited by Northwoods Snowman; Dec 14, 2010 at 10:45 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
google it there has to be something on there about it
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
brake controller is on the trailer being towed, not yours. Trigger wire is Light Blue according to the 2000 FSM. Connector is behind the spare tire trim panel.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 5
From: Cloquet, MN
Year: 2000 Ltd.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Can you elaborate?
I had a nice long reply written but it somehow got blown away.
Anyway, I'm obviously not being clear enough in what I'm asking so lets take it one step at a time.
(If someone has a FSM wiring diagram for the trailer wiring, please send it to me as it would most likely save everyone a lot of headaches.)
I now have the factory trailer wiring harness INSTALLED on my XJ. When Joe Blow buys a new XJ that has a factory tow package on it, how is he supposed to operate the trailer brakes? How does the XJ operate them with out an aftermarket controller?
I had a nice long reply written but it somehow got blown away.
Anyway, I'm obviously not being clear enough in what I'm asking so lets take it one step at a time.
(If someone has a FSM wiring diagram for the trailer wiring, please send it to me as it would most likely save everyone a lot of headaches.)
I now have the factory trailer wiring harness INSTALLED on my XJ. When Joe Blow buys a new XJ that has a factory tow package on it, how is he supposed to operate the trailer brakes? How does the XJ operate them with out an aftermarket controller?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 458
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From: Gobles Michigan
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
As far as I know you still need to get the controller. unless things have changed alot since 98.
if you have a factory tow package then all you should need is the controller and correct harness for said controller. Call a local trailer dealer for answers. After all they do that kind of stuff every day.
if you have a factory tow package then all you should need is the controller and correct harness for said controller. Call a local trailer dealer for answers. After all they do that kind of stuff every day.
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
This should help too. Everything I find points to the fact that the XJ never came with a trailer brake controller, it needed to be added aftermarket if desired. The factory tow package included a wire that was used to control the controller, but not the unit itself.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/w...brakes-989454/
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/w...brakes-989454/
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors




:naug hty:

http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech.html there you have it.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
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From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts


