Connecting Brake Controller to Factory Pigtail Harness on 1999 Chevy Silverado

Question:

Hello, I have a 1999 Siverado. I Have the original brake controller adapter, Its a pigtail with 5 wires. The Reese brake controller I have, has 4 wires and has a factory plug installed on the end. I have two questions. What is the fifth wire for on the adapter? And, is there a consumer available plug that I can use to connect the adapter to the brake controler without cutting of the plug end? Thank you

asked by: Paul R

Expert Reply:

The 5th wire you mention, which should be brown is for an illumination circuit that isn't needed. So you'd just tape the end of that wire off and tuck it up out of the way. To connect the factory pigtail to the connector on your Reese controller, you'll need a # 20127 pigtail that would plug into the connector exiting the rear of your controller. The pigtail would wire to the factory pigtail as follows:

• Factory pigtail red wire to black brake controller pigtail wire
• Factory pigtail light blue wire to red brake controller pigtail wire
• Factory pigtail black wire to while brake controller pigtail wire
• Factory pigtail dark blue wire to blue brake controller pigtail wire

As mentioned, the brown factory pigtail wire isn't needed.

expert reply by: Mike L