Electric Brake Controller

[DaveNW]

Originally Posted by davidachoi

I'm a little late with this thread, but this info is really helpful. So, what is this OEM part that I need to install the Prodigy? I know mfiver had the instructions about parts and all that, but that might as well been in Chinese, I didn't understand a thing in that. If I wanted to buy everything online, what should my order look like to install this brake contoller? I'm not very handy, should I get a pro to do this?

David, the following text is taken from the last page of the OEM hitch installation instructions on the front page of xoutpost.com:

************************

Information from the 1

st Page of BMW’s Tow Bar Installation
Instructions:

"The male pin (BMW P/N 61 13 1 376 195) should be used at the mating plug of X393S."

************************

All you need is the BMW OEM hitch package (which includes a lot of stuff) the single pin named above, and the Prodigy controller package. Your pro installer will be able to sort it all out.

The single pin referenced above is used to connect to the remaining open socket on the brake/light wiring harness, to give the data when the brake pedal is pressed. It plugs into the wiring harness and turns on the brake lights. The instructions refer to a "blue wire" that connects the brake controller to the brake/light wiring harness. This pin is used to connect that wire to things. A pro shop will have no trouble connecting things. I don't recommend trying to do this install yourself unless you're very knowledgable about how things should work, since it'd be easy to screw it up, or take the signal from the wrong source.

What my installer did is working great. No worries, or problems to report.

Good luck!

Dave

[mfiver]

The only thing different on an X5 brake controller install - vs. most other vehicles - is where you pick up the brake signal. This signal tells the controller when you are stepping on the brake. You don't NEED any OEM parts, but you can use an OEM pin if you want to plug into the connector instead of tapping into the brake signal wire. (either way is fine). On most vehicles you tap into this signal at the brake pedal. On the X5 you tap into this signal at the Light Control Module in the passenger footwell area.

If you take the pin out I posted to any competent installer, they will be able to install your controller no problem.

FWIW - Having installed the hitch myself, I can tell you that the install will go a lot faster if you select a shop that has done an X5 OEM hitch before.

Happy trails!

[Terrapin1]

I too am looking for a proper brake controller to have a professional install. I called Winslow BMW in Colorado Springs and they referred me to Layton Hitch, Truck and Trailer. I called Layton and they all laughed. Because of the complicated brake electronics, Layton will not install any controllers as most of the manufacturers such as Reese, Drawtite, and Tekonsha do not recommend it. See the link below. Layton laughed even more when I mentioned that BMW referred me to them!

I guess I could trade my X5 in for a GMC?? I'm not sure what to do???

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/prod...HH_39519,90185

[mfiver]

Don't let anyone discourage you, they're just exhibiting textbook "fear of the unknown". The brake control installation is simple, and just like any other vehicle, once you know where to pick up the brake signal. (see post details above).

Do you already have the hitch installed? I installed both my hitch and my Prodigy Electronic Brake Controller at the same time, and of the two installing the hitch was the bigger/less intuitive/more complicated job.

Armed with the instructions above in this thread, doing both jobs at the same time is an easy Saturday afternoon for any competent do-it-yourselfer let alone a "professional installer".

PS - Regarding the Electronic Brake Controller installation. If you don't want to go the dealer, I would guess you would have more luck at an independent BMW shop than a "trailer hitch" specialist, since all that is required is a little familiarity with the BMW electrical system - and the "trailer hitch guys" are used to seeing American iron and "plug and play" installs.

[mfiver]

Don't let anyone discourage you, they're just exhibiting textbook "fear of the unknown". The brake control installation is simple, and just like any other vehicle, once you know where to pick up the brake signal. (see post details above).

Do you already have the hitch installed? I installed both my hitch and my Prodigy Electronic Brake Controller at the same time, and of the two installing the hitch was the bigger/less intuitive/more complicated job.

Armed with the instructions above in this thread, doing both jobs at the same time is an easy Saturday afternoon for any competent do-it-yourselfer let alone a "professional installer".

PS - Regarding the Electronic Brake Controller installation. If you don't want to go the dealer, I would guess you would have more luck at an independent BMW shop than a "trailer hitch" specialist, since all that is required is a little familiarity with the BMW electrical system - and the "trailer hitch guys" are used to seeing American iron and "plug and play" installs.

[TowX]

Agree with Mfiver- the install is very straightforward. But I can't tell you how many times I've been told that "you can't wire a controller in an X5" by dealers and online hitch suppliers. Even etrailer.com told me that and they're pretty big. I sent him a pic of the plug on the Light Control Module and the instructions to wire into it and they were quite grateful.

One caveat though- in my case on my '04 4.4, my plug had more pins in it that the pics and diagrams posted on here, and none are blank. No big deal, I just used my circuit tester to find the correct pin and spliced the wire from my Prodigy to the correct wire, then ran the blue wire to the rear of the car and connected to the hitch wiring box in the spare tire well. Works like a charm. I frankly think this installation is easier than most vehicles because of the factory pieces used for the hitch installation.

BTW- the Prodigy is so much better than my old Activator in the speed with which it activates the trailer brakes. State of the art. The hardest part of the entire installation was deciding where to mount the controller.

[mrkbbd]

I've never towed anything in the X, well anything for that matter, but one of my friends has a boat that they will let me borrow, so are there any procedures that I should know, are there specific driving procedures / speed limit / can I take off from the line hard or is that bad for the truck?

[Terrapin1]

I'm going to my BMW dealer today at lunch to discuss the matter. Yes, in fact, I do have the BMW installed hitch, receiver, and 7-pin outlet already to go. I orderd that option when I bought the X5 in 2006. There are a few other BMW specialist in town who could probably do the work as well. I'm just a bit anxious to go cutting brake wires.

[RenaissanceMan]

Hey everyone-

I'm researching this thread and others getting ready to install my Prodigy today.

Question: I understand that you pick up the brake signal from the LCM pin 10 inside the passenger footwell, but what I'm not clear on is how you connect the red wire to this pin? Will I just use a second BMW OEM male pin to connect as with the hitch wiring box, or do I have to splice some wires there? This wansn't inherently obvious to me as I searched through the threads and links. Thanks-

[4MoJoe]

If I remember correctly you splice into it; I used a inline connector to do is so I didn't have to cut the wire.