How to Move a Brake Controller from a 2004 Chevy Silverado to a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Question:

Will your brake controller from my 2004 chevy silverado work on my 2011 Silverado? My 2011 Silverado has a trailering package.

asked by: Danny W

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers are not vehicle specific so the controller in your 2004 Chevy will work in the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado with towing package, but the wiring for the 2004 vehicle will not work on the 2011 Chevrolet truck.

Starting with the 2007 new body style trucks Chevrolet stopped using a connection port for brake controller installation and started leaving a bundle of blunt cut wires above your left shin as you are seated in the driver seat.

The wires can be identified by a white label and the color of the wires. The wire colors are:

(1) Red/Black, or Red wire, Battery Power
(1) White wire, Ground
(1) Light Blue/White wire, Brake Light Signal
(1) Dark Blue wire, Brake Controller Output to Trailer
(1) Orange wire, Not Used

You will need to splice the respective wires to the wires exiting the back of your brake controller. If you have a Tekonsha brake controller you could use a replacement harness, item # 20127, to attach to the port on the back of the controller and hard wire to the wires under the dash. Alternatively you could cut the vehicle side off of the original connector and hard wire from there also.

I have provided a link to brake controller installation instructions for a 2008 model Chevy truck that will help with your installation.