Trailer Brake on 4.6L

I have a 2018 Toyota Tundra Extended Cab SR5 4.6L. I purchased and installed an OEM trailer brake myself. The controller sits loosely on the dash, does this need to be mounted some how? And does it need to be programmed so you can see control on the instrument cluster. The controller lights up but can’t tell it is working. Has anyone installed? What am I missing?

 

Yes, the controller will need to be mounted firmly to the dash in some manner. If you selected the Tekonsha P3, the installation can be made to look as good as the OEM version, just as convenient, and with flawless performance. Just curious, did you use the passenger side connection as per the install thread here, or did you brute force connect power to (+) battery terminal, and run a new brake wire to the 7 terminal plug connector on the rear bumper?

You will NOT see any aftermarket controller data on the gauge cluster. That feature, with all attendant complications, is only available for the Toyota IBC which is available only on 5.7L Tundra. In one case here, a dealer refused to install the Toyota IBC in a 4.6L Tundra. I can't say if that was corporate or dealer policy. In the case of the P3, controller status and control is viewable on the controller LCD screen.

 

I used the OEM panel and wiring that was present behind the driver side of the dash to the right of the steering wheel.

 

Your 4.6L switch panel does not have a recess for a brake controller. You can either screw the controller to the dash (inconvenient position), cut a hole for the controller in the switch panel (small panel with buttons, search for mod thread), or you can simply replace the 4.6L switch panel with this part for the 5.7L (picture is upside down, cheaper from TOCS):

$50 Toyota Genuine Parts - Base, Switch Hole, N (55447-0C020-C0)

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-55447-0C020-C0-Switch-Hole-Base/dp/B010GN4L1Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JWRY8TOEXI38&keywords=55447-0c020-c0&qid=1563057365&s=gateway&sprefix=55447%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1

You will also need this part to mount the controller in the OEM panel controller recess:

https://www.esptruck.com/product-page/p3-mounting-plate

Once you get the controller mounted, all you need to do is hitch up, and adjust the power setting unloaded as the instructions say.

 

I replaced the panel with that panel and put a OEM controller. It’s the controller that does fit right. The controller does not seem to provide any feedback to the gain on the trailer. The controller is loose like it was supposed to screws in under the panel. Is the problem the OEM controller?

 

Has anyone used the curt echo. It seems super convenient. It just plugs in to the bumper and the trailer harness.

 

Oh. Uh...Sorry...I missed that part about the OEM controller. Your problems are just beginning.

I have seen youtube videos of the OEM brake controller being removed. It is bolted to a bracket or support behing the dash, as in the guy is unbolting the controller from a support separate from the plastic dash panel; i.e. the switch panel is laying there with the controller still bolted in. If that support/bracket is not obviously in evidence behind your dash, then you'll need to consult @Roman. I've never been there, and I can't help. I've tried to find it myself in TOCS parts catalog, no luck.

If the OEM controller doesn't work right after it is finally installed, you can try to get the dealer to do the TSB reflash of the ECU (Search). Sometimes it works for owners making the IBC fully functional, sometimes not. Good luck.

 

I decided since I can’t get the OEM to work to change over to an aftermarket P3. Apparently the plug for “plug and play” has a different connection with the wiring behind the dash than on other years of the tundra. Has anyone come across this? How would I get a trailer brake wiring harness for this?

I know I had a weird issue with the tpms not being able to be programmed by anyone other than Toyota.

 

For 2018+ Tundras, Toyota no longer provides "plug-n-play" connection for aftermarket brake controllers. There is no model-specific harness available. Owners must hard wire the P3, and a LONG Tekonsha universal harness is required. Numerous threads on this topic...Search "brake controller". If anyone has been successful, they have never reported back...which is about normal.

Here's a start: https://www.tundras.com/threads/201...ccessfully-installed-a-p3.38084/#post-1284819

Edit: @nshields365 I see you have the 4.6L. Easy by comparison. See here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-tundra-with-4-6-engine-trailer-brake-install.25884/