Trailer Brake Controller Installation

**odoh** · 05-25-2002, 18:18

In preparation to install my prodigy unit, I'm confused as to where to plug in the GM wiring harness plug on the electrical center. Looking at the inside of the center cover, there is a lable of the physical layout ~ and to my eye, it doesn't match anything in the electrical center

Does anyone know which socket/position the plug is supposed to connect? TIA ~ odoh

mdrag · 05-25-2002, 19:07

odoh,

The brake controller harness plugs into the MBEC located on the driver's side near the kick panel (front of driver's footwell in the corner where the carpet ends). IIRC, it plugs into C5, which should be in the upper right part. The 40A Maxi-fuse goes in the under hood electrical center STUD#1 to provide accesory 12V power to the 7 way receiver mounted recpt.

**odoh** · 05-25-2002, 22:08

mdrag ~ Got it. It goes into the second from the left, uppermost row. Thanks ~ odoh

**Disney Campers** · 05-28-2002, 21:12

I just went throught this very same situation, that cover and diagram do not seem to match the pattern of the fuses and plugs, Just installed the prodigy, now just need to hook up the trailer and try it out.

**SDWA** · 05-28-2002, 23:10

IIRC, the MBEC connectors are all "keyed" for their correct location, meaning you can't plug into the wrong location...

Scott

**odoh** · 05-29-2002, 13:44

Uh-uh. Donwanna count on that. ~ odoh

**Russ Denman** · 05-29-2002, 23:00

GM really is getting their act together. I was planning on drilling holes to mount my brake but found 2 holes on the under side lip of the dash between the driver's legs. I would have preferred a position over the 4X4 selector but that would have required drilling holes and the lip is not flat at that point.

**bora** · 05-30-2002, 10:53

Russ

I used the same spot for mounting the prodigy.

I thought it would interfere with the pedal but it does not and it is nice and close to reach in an emergency.

**AlaskaDmax** · 05-30-2002, 14:44

Russ,

Does that location get in the way of your legs when entering and exiting the seat? What about ease of access in an emergency?

**tpitt** · 05-30-2002, 15:13

I mounted my prodigy to a single screw above the accelerater pedal. Just next to the console. I used the hang down bracket and tightened the screw next to the console with a pair of pliers.
I absolutely hate to drill any holes in the dash if I can help it, but when I install an exhaust brake I will probably have to. tpitt

**Ironhead** · 05-30-2002, 18:15

You guys must have some long arms to reach the controller at the bottom of the dash

I made a little extention plate for mine. I took a little piece of sheet metal on hand, cut to prodigy width and about 6" long and bent it the same angle as the dash, drilled holes in the bottom edge and mounted the plate to the bottom of the dash above go petal. predrilled the top edge for the prodigy mount. put a little foam between the plate and dash to keep from chaffing and vibrating. Now prodigy is a lot easier to reach. I painted the mount ext black but was thinking about doing over with alum.

**bora** · 05-31-2002, 10:42

AlaskaDmax

The middle install location does not get in the way, it looks like it would but it doesn't/

**hoot** · 05-31-2002, 11:29

"I absolutely hate to drill any holes in the dash if I can help it, but when I install an exhaust brake I will probably have to. tpitt"

Are you kidding me? You know how we put holes in our airboxes so they breath better? I did it to my dash too. I didn't register a big gain but it sure feels like it seat-of-the-pants

SOTP New acronym!!!!!

**AlaskaDmax** · 05-31-2002, 13:10

Ironhead,

How about some pics...I am a big fan of home manufacturing...the job I have allows for tons of self made items...I DIG it!!!

Pics, brother!

Tpitt,

I drilled my holes in the metal frame just under the dash so as not to create any unsitely holes in the plastic dash should the brake controller ever need to come out.

**Ironhead** · 05-31-2002, 20:17

AlaskaDmax,
Sorry I am computer picture illiterate. For the life of me it is something I cant grasp. I even had a young smart alec computer whizz kid come over and try to teach me and wrote down step by step, but when I pull out those instructions to try on my own it just dont happen. I was trying awhile back to post some pics of a custom dump bed I made for a customer that I mounted on a 2500 short bed ext cab Dmax I though some of you might get a kick out of that but it was not to be.

**tpitt** · 05-31-2002, 21:15

Hoot:
I cant see the airbox from the seat. Theres just something about drilling holes in a new vehicle, kind of like the first scratch or dent.
I can reach my controller just fine where it is. I guess it helps to be part Orangutan. (Boy thats a tough one to spell, had to get the dictionary) If I could lose about 60# I would have even longer reach

tpitt

**CanadaKev** · 05-31-2002, 21:34

Ironhead,
I was 'computer picture' illiterate until yesterday as well. Some of the guys here helped me out. I took a role of film down to the drug store where I get them developed. I asked them how I could get the pics on the internet. They said for a $5 fee ($3US) we'll put them on for you. In the time it took to get home, there they were. Simple as that. They leave the pics on their site for 30 days for you or others to link to. Then just download the pics to your computer to do with what you will.

**stillracing** · 06-01-2002, 06:50

I am going to try to mount my Prodigy in the ashtray holder and remove it when not in use.

Thanks for the location of the plug.

**Disney Campers** · 06-01-2002, 11:18

I thought about the ash tray idea but I don't think it will fit, if you get it to work though i would love to see it.

**stillracing** · 06-01-2002, 21:51

It won't fit all the way in, but most of it goes in.

Thread: Trailer Brake Controller Installation

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