Wiring electric brake controller - stop light wire question

[shiner]

Hi - I am wiring a 2002 Sequoia for an electric brake controller. Of course, I am not prewired so I am using the wiring kit from etrailer.com (Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit - 10 Gauge ETBC7 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com) for a Tekonsha P3.

Where I am running into issues is getting at the stop light brake switch on the top of the brake pedal. Even with the kick panel off, I can barely reach the wires to test which is cold and then hook into it. My question is whether I can hook into the brake light wire somewhere else or if it NEEDS to be at this switch?

This is what a quick google search turned up for a brake light switch and this is what I am seeing near the top of the brake:
http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.j...9zS1VqUnZaSk0A
There appear to be 4 wires coming out of this switch which makes establishing which is the cold/switched one even harder.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

[cwit]

I might be wroung but on the instructions with the p-3 it tells you a place to hook the wire. I also thought that 2002 and up were prewired.

[shiner]

Originally Posted by cwit

I might be wroung but on the instructions with the p-3 it tells you a place to hook the wire. I also thought that 2002 and up were prewired.

I just pulled the instructions out. It seems to include a pamphlet on owner operation and separate wiring diagram. The diagram just says "The RED stoplight wire must be connected to the cold side of the brake pedal stoplight switch. Splice down line from the switch; DO NOT disturb the position of the switch."

I could be wrong but I think it was a 2003 Sequoias and up that were prewired. I only wish I were in that position.

[TundraBay]

You might have some success googling "wiring diagram for 2002 Sequoia" or something along those lines. Then you'd know what color wire you're looking for. You need to be cautious hooking anywhere other than the brakelight switch, because (at least in some vehicles) there's another wire from the turn signals when the turn and brake lights are the same bulbs. You want the line that has power when you step on the brakes, and not when not, if you tie in later you might get power when your blinkers are on.

[pgmariner]

Shiner,
I'm doing the same thing too, installing a 7-pin trailer harness on a 2002 Sequoia. I think you want the green wire with the yellow stripe on it. It can also be found on the lower left area under the fuse box where it runs to the tail lights.

[shiner]

Originally Posted by pgmariner

Shiner,
I'm doing the same thing too, installing a 7-pin trailer harness on a 2002 Sequoia. I think you want the green wire with the yellow stripe on it. It can also be found on the lower left area under the fuse box where it runs to the tail lights.

Interesting. I will look for it near the fuse box. I THINK I managed to locate a wire that does change voltage based on stepping on the brake. It appears to be blue with a red stripe. The problem is that it is so short and tightly wrapped around the other wires coming out of the brake light switch that I can't get a tap around it very easily.

[shiner]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

You might have some success googling "wiring diagram for 2002 Sequoia" or something along those lines. Then you'd know what color wire you're looking for. You need to be cautious hooking anywhere other than the brakelight switch, because (at least in some vehicles) there's another wire from the turn signals when the turn and brake lights are the same bulbs. You want the line that has power when you step on the brakes, and not when not, if you tie in later you might get power when your blinkers are on.

The thing I found is that the brake light wire (I think) is actually is carrying SOME current but it jumps when I press the brake pedal. Am I looking at the wrong wire?

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by shiner

The thing I found is that the brake light wire (I think) is actually is carrying SOME current but it jumps when I press the brake pedal. Am I looking at the wrong wire?

I'm sorry because although I've done plenty of backyard screwing around with cars, I can't say with absolute certainty. Unless there's some stray current getting through (for example in one of the light sockets where some corrosion may have set in, there should be no power on the brake light wire until you step on the brake. It should be DEAD when the switch is open.

[07DCwhiteSR5]

be careful that u arent using a wire for a brake/gearshift interlock also... not sure if it matters but the voltage issues may be present for that. and as stated abvoe it would suck if u got the turn sig wire...i can see it nwo going down the road turn signal on and screech screech screech screech

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by 07DCwhiteSR5

be careful that u arent using a wire for a brake/gearshift interlock also... not sure if it matters but the voltage issues may be present for that. and as stated abvoe it would suck if u got the turn sig wire...i can see it nwo going down the road turn signal on and screech screech screech screech

I had to laugh because that was my exact mental picture!

[shiner]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

I had to laugh because that was my exact mental picture!

I agree. That wouldn't be the outcome I was hoping for. So, I believe I found my issue - wrong setting on my voltmeter. I have the wire - it's black. I am thinking it will be easier to solder the lead from the controller than it will be to actually tap into the wire (short and wound around other wires).

On the actual switch, there are solder points where the wires come off and go into the wite harness. See : Activant Cover-to-Cover