Brake Controller Recommendation and Wiring Installation on a 2000 Silveraldo X Cab

Question:

My truck came with an 8 wire trailer harness. Do I need a brake delay to control a trailer with brakes or what do I need to make this work. Thanks

asked by: Dexter W

Expert Reply:

A brake controller is required to control the brakes on your trailer. I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Proportional Brake Controller, item # 90195 and vehicle specific wiring adapter # 3025-P, for your 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. This brake controller is easy to setup and is one ofthe most popular brake controllers that we sell.

If your truck has a factory 7-Way connector at the rear of the vehicle then all you will need is the brake controller and wiring harness mentioned above. If you do not have factory wiring on the vehicle some additional wiring is required.

A Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit, item # ETBC7, is needed to complete the wiring if factory wiring is not installed. Under the hood you will need to remove the curved bracket and accessory fuse block cover behind the power distribution box on the drivers side. Once these are removed you will see two wires, a red one with a ring terminal on it and a blue one with a plug on the end. Place the red wire over the closest positive post in the power distribution box and place a 30 amp fuse in the slot nearest the power post if not already present.

Next, clip off the connector on the blue wire and connect the wire to the white wire in the gray double bonded wire that is included in the # ETBC7 kit. Next connect the black wire in the double bonded wire to the auxiliary positive post and install a 40 amp fuse in the nearest fuse location. Now, run the double bonded wire to the rear of the vehicle avoiding areas that can pinch cut or melt the wire and you are ready to install the trailer connector.

If you have a 4-Way at the rear of the vehicle just plug it in. If not cut the 4-Way off of the adapter, # 37185, and connect the Yellow Wire for the left turn and brakes to the yellow wire that was connected to the 4-Way. Attach Dark Green Wire, for the right turn and brakes, to the green wire, the Brown Wire, for the taillights, to the brown wire and the white wire needs to be grounded to the truck frame with the larger white wire that is included on the adapter.

If a reverse circuit is needed there is usually a wire provided to connect to the center pole of the adapter. This wire is light green and can usually be found farther up the wire harness that is above the spare tire.

Now, connect the white wire in the duplex cable that was ran earlier to the blue wire on the adapter and the black wire to the black wire on the adapter.

Finally, install the brake controller under the dash and plug the connector in to the brake controller and the port under the dash. This port is located in the electrical junction box on the driver side, left of the brake pedal. The brake control adapter is plugged into the second slot from the left on the top row. The installation will then be complete.

We have detailed instructions for you to review (see link).