Brake controller for E70 experiences

[X5 Meister]

Hey good info. Can you post a few pics?

Originally Posted by bluvalley

Great instructions, thanks.

I wish the dealer had them when I had mine installed, they did a good job but I had to explain it all to them.

If you don't want to take up the cupholder, I placed mine on the dash to the lower left of the steering wheel, next to (and below right) of light controls. It's at a sharp angle but works fine.

Good luck,

James

[bluvalley]

Sorry for the delay, was away for the weekend.

Here's a few pics.

[tdg]

I installed the exact electric brake as pictured above, but I stuck it under the steering wheel on the dash. You can disconnect the wiring and remove the actual brake controller. I was a little worried about banging my knees on the brake. However, I it never touched my knees, and I haven't removed it all winter - and better yet, it's out of the way and doesn't sit on my cup holder. Once set, I haven't even needed to play with it - mountains or no mountains..

Can't wait for summer....

[tdg]

I meant in the picture of X5 Meister's on page 3 of this thread...

[London Lad]

This all seems very complicated!

In the UK the hitch on the trailer operates the breaks automatically. Works great as long as it's maintained and adjusted properly.

The X5 has built in anti-sway according to the manual, hence the instructions NOT to use load balancing tow bars.

The standard factory electronic tow bar is great. Press a button and the tow bar and electrics apear from under the rear bumper. When you are done just press the button again and its gone!!

Its a pity you US guys use a different system.

[X5 Meister]

You can say that again.

Originally Posted by London Lad

Its a pity you US guys use a different system.

[jimk]

Originally Posted by bluvalley

Sorry for the delay, was away for the weekend.

Here's a few pics.

Hello,

I just had the factory trailer hitch installed and I'm searching all over to find out the factory pin-outs for the electric brake controller connections with no luck. I will use an aftermarket controller like yours and I just need the pin-outs of the BMW connector from the hitch wiring harness so I can connect the brake controller to the BMW connector. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[JCL]

The thread below dates from the time of the E53, but does include attachments to the two DIY articles that are on this site. It may be helpful while you await the specific pin out information.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-do-i-buy.html

[ChuckG]

Attached are the hitch and brake controller installation instructions. The information may help. In particular look at the table at the end of the hitch instructions. The hitch instructions are in two parts so the file size would be to large otherwise.

Chuck

[jimk]

Thanks folks, I really appreciate the help however I still cannot find a reference to the pinouts. I may endup using a circuit tester to find out. Here is what I'm looking for:

The wire colors and pinouts for the Tekonsha Prodigy controller are as follows:

Black - Battery+
Red - Stoplight
White - Ground
Blue - Brake

The BMW 4 pin connector wire colors that BMW provides as part of the hitch wiring for the brake controller are as follows:

Red
Yellow/red
Yellow/green
Brown

I need to find out how those BMW wires map to the Tekonsha wires. I already have the Tekonsha Prodigy which is identical to the "factory BMW" controller.

Thanks,
Jim