Ford licensed TBC Install Instructions

[Edsel]

Did it the other day, ain't no thing.

It's actually a little easier to get to than the TBC wires farther under the dash.

Looking forward to the pictures of your install. TIA

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[Jerry Caldwell]

...and, as someone pointed out, Ford had some nasty and expensive recalls over fuse panels. You want to talk about a nightmare wiring job, replacing a damaged one, especially the main one under the driver side, is just hell.

...and, as I pointed out, one of Lumens specialities is "plug 'n play" aftermarket modules. I am fairly convinced that this is why the loom runs to the back to catch the connector there.[/QUOTE]

The thing is, wiring in vehicles today is not what it used to be. Each wire can and most likely does support several functions. With that in place you stand a real good chance of screwing something (other that what you are working on) up that can cause other more serious problems. As an example, the center rear stop light and bed lights are all powered by the same two or three wires. The stop light and bed lights have circuit boards in them that figures out what signal to respond to and make the lights work as commanded by the vehicle systems. This is why I don’t tap into automotive wiring harnesses any longer.

 

[dmeyer302]

The thing is, wiring in vehicles today is not what it used to be. Each wire can and most likely does support several functions. With that in place you stand a real good chance of screwing something (other that what you are working on) up that can cause other more serious problems. As an example, the center rear stop light and bed lights are all powered by the same two or three wires. The stop light and bed lights have circuit boards in them that figures out what signal to respond to and make the lights work as commanded by the vehicle systems. This is why I don’t tap into automotive wiring harnesses any longer.

Relax, I provided actual Ford documentation detailing how to do this.

 

[Jerry Caldwell]

The thing is, wiring in vehicles today is not what it used to be. Each wire can and most likely does support several functions. With that in place you stand a real good chance of screwing something (other that what you are working on) up that can cause other more serious problems. As an example, the center rear stop light and bed lights are all powered by the same two or three wires. The stop light and bed lights have circuit boards in them that figures out what signal to respond to and make the lights work as commanded by the vehicle systems. This is why I don’t tap into automotive wiring harnesses any longer.

Relax, I provided actual Ford documentation detailing how to do this.[/QUOTE]
You can relax all you want, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work like you think it will.

 

[dmeyer302]

Looking forward to the pictures of your install. TIA

There's not much to see. Above your fuse panel there's a blue connector. Pull it off and find the Yellow/Grey wire. Confirm that you have the right one by checking the pin number (#13); the pin number is molded onto the face of the connector. Splice in to that wire, you have about 2-3" to work with before it gets wrapped up into the harness. This spliced wire of course goes to your TBC signal wire; on the Redarc and probably most others it's the red one.

 

[uralbob]

I found it helpful to label the wires and the connectors as to there colours and functions. in the end pulling the body plastics are finicky, but I have had the same type of panel clips on the new Vespa scooters I work on, the first time is scary because it makes a snapping noise when they release.

I understood the instructions better after labeling components and connections on the sheets. at least the instructions are in English Vespa is all in Italian and graphics.

 

[djrobb]

Here are some pics from my install. This isn’t full instructions but should help. I only pulled back the trim pieces as much as I needed. Some popped off some just opened slightly and that was enough. Do not attempt this install without plastic trim pulling tools. These you can get for less than $10 on Amazon and auto parts stores.

One thing you will see in my pictures is I crimped the splices. The instructions tell you not to but I didn’t see that. I haven’t connected to a trailer yet so I can’t say if it works. Tomorrow hopefully.

I used the circular mounting panel noted in another thread to mount the controller in place of one 12v socket. Etrailer part 331-TPSI-003. This took extra time because you have to pull a few more trim pieces.

I struggled somewhat with making the connection at the tail light. I just had a hard time assembling the little harnesses. It was also annoying to pull the 12v socket out of its housing because the clips are tight. Using a tip from the redarc Install thread I unscrewed The high brake light for access. This is technically not necessary but it allowed me to only barely pull the headliner back which I wasn’t very comfortable doing.

 

[rangermike]

Thanks for posting the pics from your install -- very helpful!

 

[LurchOR]

There's not much to see. Above your fuse panel there's a blue connector. Pull it off and find the Yellow/Grey wire. Confirm that you have the right one by checking the pin number (#13); the pin number is molded onto the face of the connector. Splice in to that wire, you have about 2-3" to work with before it gets wrapped up into the harness. This spliced wire of course goes to your TBC signal wire; on the Redarc and probably most others it's the red one.

Sure sounds a lot easier than going all the way to the light to make the connection.
Just to clarify; are you using the Ford kit with aux ECU, or are you using the off the shelf version of the Redarc?

 

[Jake596]

Got a feeling as time goes buy new modules will be produced that take the PITA out of the install.

 

[uralbob]

I have not yet installed one but I finally got my hands on the instructions that come with it... They suck by the way.

Well the install process does seem a bit invasive. I have a customer who does automotive upholstery, I service his motorcycle. He told me that he would install the brake wire , because it take experience and the correct tools. I guess I am lucky.

 

[Tim Vogt Sr.]

Thanks djrobb for the pics! I received my Ford/Redarc kit Friday and was just looking at it today. I wasn't clear on exactly how the connectors at the back brake light were going to go together until I saw your pictures. Much appreciated.

 

[MoodyBlue]

Part Number: VKB3Z-2C006-A MSRP $339.
levittownfordparts.com has it for $272.90
For comparison the Redarc tow pro elite goes for $208.16 on amazon.

It's made by lumen. I have a point of contact and an email with them that has been helping me with an issue with my specific situation. If you want it PM me here

Arrgg !! Just got in the house after installing standard Redarc and find this thread saying I need another module and different wiring harness - never saw this thread when II was checking for a TBC - only thing I found not working was I had no +12VDC on orange wire at 7 pin controller - did not have trailer to connect but did have power on blue wire at back when brake applied? Hope I can buy the new harness and other electronics - shaking my head

 

[gbritt89]

Arrgg !! Just got in the house after installing standard Redarc and find this thread saying I need another module and different wiring harness - never saw this thread when II was checking for a TBC - only thing I found not working was I had no +12VDC on orange wire at 7 pin controller - did not have trailer to connect but did have power on blue wire at back when brake applied? Hope I can buy the new harness and other electronics - shaking my head

There's a lot of people on here running the redarc tbc without it being the ford branded kit. Fords kit is about 100-150$ more than a redarc by itself. You most likely have a v.2 redarc, the ford kit is the v.3 so getting the wiring for the ford blessed install even if you could, would be likely no benefit to you.

I went with the ford kit because the small price/time difference of install is worth the peace of mind knowing I have the components intended for my truck and its available safety features.

 

[jbobbitt2652]

I just finished this install, what a pain in the rear!!
I still have to connect to a trailer to test it but they def need to come up with a better solution...

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