How to Get the 12 Volt Hot Wire to Work on a 2009 Chevy Suburban With 7-Pin Trailer Plug

Question:

The hot wire on my factory installed 7 pin plug on my 2009 Chevy Suburban is not hot. All the pins on the plug work for the lights on the trailer but were not getting any juice going back to charge the trailer battery. How do you hook this part up?

asked by: Erin

Expert Reply:

To activate the power connection at the trailer connector on your 2009 Chevrolet Suburban, you will need to locate the battery charge wire under the hood. This wire is located under the master cylinder brake booster assembly and is taped up. Once located connect the ring terminal to the smaller power stud at the front of the power distribution box under the hood, with an M6 nut, # 185916. I have linked a photo that shows the location of this wire and the attachment point for you.

If you will need to install a brake controller in the future, you can activate the power to the brake controller wiring under the dash while you are activating the trailer connector power. There is another wire located between the power distribution box and the drivers side fender with a ring terminal on it. Once located this wire needs to be attached to the larger stud at the front of the power distribution box, with an M8 nut, # 185917.

If you find that the wires are already connected in these locations. There is a fuse, see legend under power distribution box lid, for each power stud. You may need to replace or install one or both of the fuses.

expert reply by: Robert G