Brake controller for E70 experiences

[bluvalley]

Hi,

I'm not sure what you mean by pin outs but the connection for the brake controller is in the back right cargo area. It's way at the bottom, and not that easy to find. Pull the cover off and look down towards the bottom, the wiring has to run from there up to the dash. I had my dealer install it, luckily there was a technician who had a boat trailer so he knew how to wire it.

Good luck

James

[dasbaja]

Has anyone tried a "wireless" controller? Sure looks easier. Plus, no holes in the dash

Prodigy Wireless Brake Controller by Tekonsha

[scollins]

Originally Posted by dasbaja

Has anyone tried a "wireless" controller? Sure looks easier. Plus, no holes in the dash

Prodigy Wireless Brake Controller by Tekonsha

I'm planning on buying this controller later this spring. eTrailer has it for cheaper: Tekonsha Prodigy RF Brake Controller - Proportional - Trailer Mounted Tekonsha Brake Controller 90250

I've got the hitch on the X5 already, but I also plan to tow my camper with my Toyota Tacoma. While this is more expensive than just having a regular Prodigy controller (which I've already got too), it will certainly be cheaper than having a brake controller wired into the X5. That, and I don't have to worry about a mounting spot inside the X5 (or the Tacoma for that matter....)

I'll then be able to just move the remote from vehicle to vehicle, depending on which one will be used to tow the camper.

[Oaktree]

Originally Posted by scollins

I'm planning on buying this controller later this spring. eTrailer has it for cheaper: Tekonsha Prodigy RF Brake Controller - Proportional - Trailer Mounted Tekonsha Brake Controller 90250

I've got the hitch on the X5 already, but I also plan to tow my camper with my Toyota Tacoma. While this is more expensive than just having a regular Prodigy controller (which I've already got too), it will certainly be cheaper than having a brake controller wired into the X5. That, and I don't have to worry about a mounting spot inside the X5 (or the Tacoma for that matter....)

I'll then be able to just move the remote from vehicle to vehicle, depending on which one will be used to tow the camper.

Did you purchase this? I just bought one via Amazon as I'm towing a 23ft Featherlite with a M3 to Road America. I really hope this works...

[blue dragon]

Originally Posted by tdg

Sorry for the delay posting the photo - got this baby out 12 times this summer (10 3-day weekends + 2 5-day trips). I had no problems with power or the distibution hitch. I averaged about 10 mpg. I live near the mountains and those trips averaged about 8 mpg. All I can say - tons of power - no worries with sway - and looks pretty damn sharp. I did have to get the BMW custom mirrors which cost $280 CDN, as many of the after market mirrors didn't fit well... PS tailor weights 4600 lbs...

What BMW custom mirrors? Is there a part number? I'm towing my boat and I may need this

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Oaktree

Did you purchase this? I just bought one via Amazon as I'm towing a 23ft Featherlite with a M3 to Road America. I really hope this works...

No, not yet. I just got the pigtail for my Tacoma and used my old Prodigy controller for the most recent trip. I'm not sure we'll actually use the X5 to tow, which seems crazy after spending the money to get the hitch installed. But I may still pick up this controller in the future....

[einauslander]

Hi Guys -

Got the factory hitch installed on my 2011 X5 at JMK BMW in NJ. I did not want to run a cable to the front and permanently give up my cup holder with the factory brake controller option.

I went ahead and bought the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller from Amazon. I installed it on my featherlight open trailer (weighs a little over 1,000 lbs). I tow an E30 BMW on it. I have towed once and the brake controller works great.

I was a bit concerned as I had the trailer serviced and upgraded to LED lights and wasn't sure if the LED lights will confuse the brake controller. I did have a glitch when I first tried to do the "handshake" between the wireless unit and the trailer mounted unit but I went ahead with the steps and it all worked fine.

Tekonsha recommends that the unit should be installed on the outside face of the trailer arm but I installed it underneath and out of sight and it works fine.

Here is a picture of my X5 hitch install, the dealer was kind enough follow my instructions and carefully cut the bumper as little as possible.



YMMV
auslander

[ring007]

I recently purchased an aluminum 20' trailer to haul my track car and use my wife's X5 3.5d to pull it. The Prodigy wireless brake controller worked great for me and took about an hour to install and program for my specs. Much better option than the $1,200 my dealer wanted for a hard wired unit.

However the trailer lights have been a struggle. My brake and turn signal lights work perfectly but after a few minutes all the running lights turn off. I've now read all the postings on the LED issue with the X5. Seems like the lower resistance of the LEDs is a problem for the X5 systems. I've since discovered (better late than never) that I need a 7 pole to 7 pole adaptor to make the LEDs work with an X5 (similar issue Porsche and VW SUVs it sounds like). However Valley whom manufactures the adaptor apparently is out of stock with no eta of when the V39010 will be available again. The X3 forum has a posting in which it looks like the oem VW adaptor will serve this purpose.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ing-hitch.html

Has anyone successfully used the VW adaptor (or the Porsche unit, which apparently exists as well)?

[blue dragon]

You need a 7 pin to 7 pin because all of the pins are in use if you are using a brake controller.



If you aren't using a brake controller, you only need 5 wires if your trailer has surge brakes (fifth wire for the reverse lockout solenoid). You need a 7-> 5 adapter

If your trailer has no brakes, then you can get by with a 7 -> 4 adapter thats included in the hitch kit.

[ninekrpm]

Originally Posted by 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

Hi guys, getting ready to install the prodigy (P2 model, carried over from my E53) controller.

Is there any feedback on wiring - I have the same question as the user above. Looking to figure out where to mate the BLUE wire from the brake controller to the X5's 4 wire connecter...