RedArc Tow Pro Elite install in 2nd Gen

Yeah, I found it on their website and Amazon. Ordering from Amazon is fulfilled by Redarc. Shipping wasn't cheap on Amazon, but I needed it faster than what was available for free. Maybe they just started carrying this harness.

$39 Tow-Pro Brake Controller Harness (TPH-021)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YJ5MJK4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/tow-pro-brake-controller-harness-to-suit-toyota-tph-021

Toyota 4Runner 2003 - Current
Toyota Landcruiser 2008 - 2012
Toyota Sequoia 2003 - Current
Toyota Tacoma 2005 - 2015
Toyota Tundra 2003 - 2014

 

That's great! Must be a new product or just an update to their website as it didn't show up when I searched for vehicle specific harnesses before. I guess my little mod isn't necessary anymore

 

This thread was super helpful to us in choosing and installing the controller. I put this little video together for anyone that prefers t watch videos:

 

Help! 2012 4-door Taco SR5 here.

I wrongly purchased the Redarc 3rd gen harness (TPH-015) as part of a complete kit/ensemble from Amazon (

$175 REDARC Tow-Pro Liberty Electric Trailer Brake Controller Kit – Proportional Braking – Sway Control – 12V System – Plug & Play for Toyota Tundra, Tacoma – Universal Mount & Wiring Included

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D9DQCS96?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title).

I now realize that I should have purchased the 2nd gen harness (TPH-021). What's odd though is that there was indeed a connection near the floor on the left kick-panel that received this harness connection. It wasn't 100% bang on, so with a tiny bit of plastic shaving it fit, and I chalked up the poor fit to being a manufacturing error. Is there a chance that this was actually a connection for something totally unrelated to braking?

My problem now is that this caused my power windows and power mirrors to stop working entirely, and my power locks only work when I use the remote... no response from the manual lock switch. All fuses are good.

Brake controller switch is flashing all sorts of fun colours, not consistent by any means. What's also odd is that the flashing sequence changes when I push the window or mirror switch.
Tried unplugging the brake controller and same issue persists with the lock/mirrors/windows.

 

This definitely provides some clarity on the heels of your other post. Unfortunately, it makes me more worried there's some more permanent damage done rather than something simple like a fuse or just disconnecting the controller.

My first guess is that you somehow tapped into a connector related to the power windows/locks/mirrors and that something is fried. These systems have various controllers, control modules, control units...etc. Assuming you don't get any slam dunk answers here on the forum I'd start pouring over wiring diagrams and tracing wires on your truck to see if you can figure out what the heck you got hooked into and then you can start testing components to see what might be wrong.

Not sure how much more help I can be but I've attached a "wiring diagram" PDF from the service manual which may be useful. This is for a 2007 so your 2012 might be a little different and this may or may not be useful. Skip to pg40 for Door Lock wiring which is quickly followed by Power Windows and then Mirrors on pg 48. Some additional PDF's with more detail are also included.

 

Holy smokes clenkeit, that's amazing! thanks for the diagrams, I'll study up on those!

The harness on the truck side that I wrongly plugged into is pictured below. Any idea what this is for?

 

Other than fairly wild speculation, I have no idea. That said... wild speculation incoming...

Based on those photos it looks like it may be a ground distribution block. You can see wires only feeding in thru one side and not out the other so this isn't a normal connector which connects two different parts of a harness. Assuming I'm seeing this correctly.

And actually, this might be confirming what I was posturing about after reviewing the wiring diagrams. All those systems you are having issues with are semi-separate with various controllers, switches...etc. But, it looked like they may share a common ground network.

I'm not super familiar with Toyota wiring diagrams but on the bottom of pages 40, 42,& 48 you'll notice mention of a "J1 Junction Connector" which is located in the left kick panel. This might be what you plugged into. The wiring diagrams should have some pages that show detailed images of each connector type but I couldn't easily find that info. I got these manuals online somewhere or here on the forum and they're broken down into tons of different PDF's which aren't really ordered or named logically so it's a bit of a needle in a haystack. I wish I had some better files to work off of, but I don't.

If you applied any sort of signal (+) to a ground distribution/junction connector you essentially hooked a hot power lead up directly to a ground wire which feeds all these systems you're having issues with. Seems fairly logical you could have fried multiple control units or other devices.

 

Clenkeit, you nailed it. That connection was indeed a disconnected ground connection that led to my troubles. I got way off track here somehow but between you find TacomaWorld people and YouTube I'm back in business. Faith in humanity restored!

 

Glad to hear you got it sorted! Sounds like there wasn't any damage done? Had you just forgotten to plug it back into the ground distribution block after removing the Redarc harness?

 

yup, bingo. dufus move. doesn't appear to be any damage!

 

Clenkit, you saved me again! After ordering the wrong harness (3rd gen instead of the 2nd) and only then realizing I couldn't return it, this post saves the day.... again!

Aside fun fact: ordering the wrong harness in the first place led me down an amazing 3 week magical journey of electrical diagnosing when I wrongly connected it to something other than the brake harness. It's funny now, but I was some cranky at the time.

 

That's GREAT news! I was real worried it could have done damage.