Installing a Brake Controller on a 2011 GMC Acadia  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

If your 2011 GMC Acadia did not come with a factory 7-Way trailer connector then not all of the wiring and parts needed to just plug in a brake controller are present. But you can still hardwire in a brake controller.

It sounds like you had a 4-Way to start with and they converted it to a 7-Way. All you will need now is a brake controller and wiring kit # 5506.

Using some of the included wire you will need to route the brake controller black and white wires from the vehicle cab, through the firewall, and over near the battery. The white brake controller wire grounds to the negative battery terminal. The black brake controller wire will go to the AUX post of the circuit breaker (included in the kit). Then you will run another wire from the BAT post to the positive battery terminal.

The red wire connects to the cold side of the brake switch. Using a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 test the brake switch wires, located above the brake pedal, until you find the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. If it shows power at any other time, such as with the head lights or turn signals on, it is not the correct wire.

That just leaves the blue wire. With the rest of the wire included with the kit attach one end to the blue wire, route it down through the firewall, under the vehicle, avoiding areas that can pinch or burn the wire, and to the back of the 7-Way. If there is a wire already in the 7 o'clock position, remove it and attach the wire you ran in its place.

If you do not already have a brake controller I recommend the P2 # 90885. I recommend this controller the most because it is easy to set up and use and it is reliable. I have also linked a video that should help.

expert reply by: Michael H

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