Which Brake Switch Wire is Used to Install a Brake Controller on a 2004 Chevy Express Van

Question:

hook up break controller 2004 chev van express You talk about hooking the read wire, from the controller to the cold side of the break. what do you mean? what is the cold side ? what color do you hook too ? There are 6 wires .white, purple, green with white stripe ,light green, green with black stripe and red. all are hooked to the break system . I do not a owners book to the tekonsha 9030 controller which has 4 wires . I know white to ground blue to breaks black power red to brake of van. Can you help me thanks

asked by: Lew H

Expert Reply:

The cold side of the brake switch means you are looking for the brake switch wire that only has power when you step on the brake pedal. To find it you would use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the brake switch wires in order to find that wire. If that wire also has power when the vehicle headlights or turn signals are on it is not the correct wire.

On a 2004 Chevy Express Van, the brake switch wire that you need is likely the white wire since that is what it is on both a 2003 and 2005 Chevy Express Van. I have linked a video showing this at about the 12-minute mark.

The brake controller red wire is the one that you will connect to the white brake switch wire.

expert reply by: Michael H