Troubleshooting Brake Controller Install on 2013 Chevy Silverado Where Install Wires Dont Match

Question:

trying to install a break controller but the wires that i have are missing the normal white and blue from all the videos ive seen on installation. instead I have a tan/beige wire and a light green wire. Whats going on. It was purchased from the dealer as a Factory installed and with these issues Im thinking the break controller is Dealer installed.

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

If you have found the correct brake controller install wire bundle under the dash of your 2013 Chevy Silverado and those last two wire don't match what the typical wire colors are you will need to test them to determine their function.

But first you will need to make a few connections under the hood of your truck so that the circuits are all active.

Once that is done you will need a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the wires. The wire that has 12 volts of power all the time is the power supply for the brake controller and will need to be run to the black wire of the controller. The wire that sees voltage only when the brake pedal is applied is the stoplight circuit and will need to be run to the red wire.

Now to determine which wire is the ground wire will require you to touch the positive side of the circuit tester to a known 12 volt power source (use the one you just found), and then touch the negative side of the connector to each wire. Which ever wire makes the circuit tester read 12 volts is the ground wire and would get run to the white wire of the controller and the other wire would be the brake output and would get run to the blue wire of the controller.

expert reply by: Jameson C