Installing Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller Part # 39510 on a 1996 Chevy 2500  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I do not have a wiring diagram specific to the 1996 Chevy 2500 Series Pickup, but I would be happy to walk you through the process, as well as provide some resources that would help you with the installation.

We have a Brake Controller Install Guide, as well as a FAQ page for brake controllers. Both pages contain a wealth of information that you would find helpful. I will provide links for your convenience.

You will need a controller as well as an Install Kit, part # ETBC7 for a 7-way trailer connector, or ETBC6 for a 6-way connector. The install kit contains all necessary parts for installing a brake controller assuming that your truck is already equipped with the 4-pole trailer connector. If your truck does not have a connector, you will also need part # 118315 to provide a connection point for the lighting circuits. The install kit includes a 7 or 6-way trailer connector that will plug directly into the 4-pole, which provides connections for the trailer lighting circuits.

The trailer connector will have additional wires that will need to be connected. The black wire provides 12-volts for any trailer accessories requiring power. This wire will ultimately connect to the positive battery terminal via the 40 amp circuit breaker included with the kit. The blue wire will carry the output voltage from the brake controller, and will need to be ran under the vehicle to the engine compartment, through the firewall. It will then connect to the blue wire on the brake controller. The white wire will be grounded to the vehicle, and the purple wire (7-way only) is typically used to power reverse lights if the trailer is equipped with them. If not needed, it can be bundled up out of the way.

The controller itself is usually mounted to the right of the steering column, within easy reach of the driver. The controller will have 4 wires exiting the rear, and are installed as follows:

The red wire connects to the cold side of the brake stoplight switch. The stoplight switch is located at the top of the brake pedal. To find the correct wire to tap into, use a circuit tester like part # 3808 and probe each wire coming off of the brake switch, until you locate the circuit that shows power only when the brake pedal is pressed.
Once the correct circuit is located, tap the red wire into it.

The blue wire carries the output voltage to the trailer connector. It connects to the wire that was run through the firewall earlier.

The white wire would ground to the negative battery terminal, and the black wire would attach to the positive battery terminal via the 20 or 30 amp breaker included in the kit. Your brake controller instructions will state which is appropriate.

expert reply by: Mike L

0