Can I Hook Up 7-Way Harness and Brake Controller To Wiring Harness On 1997 Chevrolet Suburban

Question:

my 1997 suburban has the 7 wire harness tape to the rear fender can I it to install a 7 wire plug with a brake controller.

asked by: oliver

Expert Reply:

Yes, to install the 7-way connector and brake controller on your 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, you will need the Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7 to hook up a 7-way on the rear of your vehicle.

After installing part # ETBC7, you can install a brake controller. I would recommend the Tekonsha Brake Controller, part # 90885. This is the latest brake controller from Tekonsha, and activates the brakes on your trailer in proportion to the brake pressure you apply to your vehicle.

You can use part # ETBC7 to connect to the wiring harness you found at the rear of your vehicle, and if there is a 4-way connector attached to that wiring harness you can plug it in to the back of the 7-way adapter included in part # ETBC7.

If there is not a connector on the wires, you will need to use a circuit tester, part # PTW2993, to test each wire function and wire into ETBC7 7-way connector. In this case you would cut the 4-Way connector off of the connector provided in the # ETBC7 kit You will also need to run a blue wire from the blue wire on the back of the brake controller to the blue wire on the # ETBC7. If the auxiliary power wire is needed you can run one through a 40-amp circuit breaker to the vehicle battery or use the 12-volt constant power wire found in the vehicle wire harness you found, if present. This wire is normally a larger gauge orange wire.

I have linked an FAQ on brake controllers and an FAQ on brake controller installation below that may be a good reference when installing on your 1997 Chevrolet Suburban.