How to Install a Brake Controller on Chevrolet / GMC 1999-2006 Pickups
Vehicles with Factory Installed 7-Way
Custom Fit Brake Controller
Vehicles without Factory Installed 7-way
Step 1 - Install brake controller:
Brake controller Brake control adapter Universal adapter for 1999-2002 pickups Universal adapter for 2003-2006 pickups Custom adapters for specific controllers
Brake control 7-way or 6-way installation kit
Step 2 - Under the Hood:
Step 3 - The Trailer Connector:
Mike S.
3/28/2023
Hello, I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. I bought a Reese pilot brake controller and I'm not getting any power to it after plugging it in. Any suggestions why I'm not getting any power !!? I do have power to my 7 blade, and all the lights and signals work on my camper. Any help I'd appreciate it. Thank you
Mike L.
3/29/2023
@MikeS You're very likely missing the green 30A fuse in the distribution box under the hood on the inside driver-side fender. In the help article you'd checked out, you can see the fuse location in figure 'E' to the right of the power post labeled as 'B'. Hope that helps you!
Helpful Links
Mike S.
3/29/2023
@MikeL
Thank you for your help. My fuse box doesn't exactly look like that. I have square fuses. I believe J series. I also have a 30 amp closest to that post like in the article. I never ran that gray wire to the back of truck to the 7 blade, because I already have power to the camper just no power to the controller. If I have to do that, where do I run the black wire too because I already have a black wire connected to the 7 blade ?
Alejandro V.
3/5/2023
Hello, I have an 06 gmc Sierra with a factory 6 way. I have power to my brake controller and everything seems to be working fine until I plug in the trailer. With the trailer plugged in I still get a reading that no trailer is connected. What am I doing wrong?
Mike L.
3/14/2023
The most likely cause is a dirty, corroded or damaged trailer connector, either on the vehicle or on the trailer. Closely examine both connectors, look for green or white corrosion on the pins and sockets. Replace the connectors if necessary. If that isn't the issue, check the wiring feeding the brake assemblies. Each assembly will have two wires exiting it, one connecting to ground, the other to the brake output circuit. Make sure these connections are secure and not corroded. A less-likely but still possible cause could be worn brake magnets. Pull one of the wheels/hubs and check the face of the magnet that rides against the armature surface of the brake drum. If the face of the magnet is worn to the point where the copper wire inside the magnet is showing, then the magnets (or brake assemblies themselves) will need replacement. We hope that helps! We'll also link you to a troubleshooting article that you might find helpful.
Helpful Links
Erik H.
8/10/2022
I have 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 I have Curt Discovery brake box I took out of my 3006 GMC Yukon I bought a adapter to plug in it n my 2001 and I hood up the red wire that was under the hood to positive post! I have a red light that comes on if I push the slide on the brake box but my security light comes on in the dash nothing if I push the brakes! Thanks
David B.
8/10/2022
What adapter did you get? It appears to me that something is wired wrong or shorted out.
Ozzie V.
5/15/2022
Hi. I got 1999 Chevy Silverado and I don’t have power on the brake blue wire I got a7 pin plug And the rest of the wires only gift me 11v except for the auxiliary that one gift 12v And the trailer turn lights are very dim And nothing else work on the trailer Can you please help me
David B.
5/16/2022
Ozzie, thanks for reaching out, let me direct you to an answer page that will help you troubleshoot the blue wire issues you are having. For your dim lights I would think that is a bad ground point or a damaged/shorted wire. Check all the fuses and ground points, and work your way down every wire checking for damage. Let me know how all the troubleshooting goes and if you need anything else I'll be here to help.
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Jose C.
6/18/2023
Howdy, I have a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 with a 7 way factory plug. It seems I have a blue wire with no place to connect it to, it has a connector with 1 pin, I also located the red wire for 12V power but I just need to get a 40A fuse for it. Is the connector for the blue wire una different location or will I need to do some wiring to connect my trailer brakes? Thanks!