Where to Connect Stoplight Wire from a Hidden Hitch Pilot Brake Controller on a 1988 Chevy C2500

Question:

I recently purchased a Tekonsha P3 from you to upgrade a Hidden Hitch Pilot brake controller. I am installing the Pilot brake controller on a 1988 Chevy C2500...where do I connect the red stoplight wire? Both sides of the stoplight switch appear to be cold do not light my circuit tester with the brake pedal depressed.

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

You will normally find the stoplight wire coming right off of the vehicle brake pedal, and on Chevy trucks it is typically light blue in color, but this may not be exactly the same on your 1988 C2500. It sounds like you are testing correctly, but you may just need to move further back toward the brake pedal itself. You will know you have the right circuit when you get a power reading on your light tester when you push the pedal, but the circuit goes cold when you release it.

Just in case, I would also make sure you have your circuit tester grounded to a clean, metal area on the vehicle frame or a clean metal post in the vicinity. It is a simple problem, but one I would look into if you aren't getting a reading on any wires coming off the brake pedal, as this would be an easy fix.

You can view some additional information on wiring for a brake controller at the links provided, as well as a video of a standard brake controller installation on a 1993 Suburban, which should be similar to your vehicle. On the Suburban, the stop light ends up being a white wire on the far right side of the factory harness.

expert reply by: Sarah L