Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installation in 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500

Question:

Hello I have a 2011 Silverado 1500 and I hooked up a brake controllers and I noticed when i hit the brake pedal the trailer brakes don’t work they only work with the override switch. I used a test light and to find out the light blue wire with white stripe doesn’t have power when the brake pedal is pressed. I checked for power at the brake pedal switch and it does get power when I hit the pedal. All the fuses are good and everything is hooked up under the hood. Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks

asked by: Daniel

Expert Reply:

Since it seems the issue is on the brake wire, start by testing the brake controller. Sever the blue wire a couple inches from the back of your controller. Then use circuit tester # PTW2979 to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override; if it shows power at idle then there is an issue with the controller and it will need to be replaced.

Additionally, because you otherwise have power with the stop light switch wire it seems pretty likely the issue is with the controller and it would need to be replaced. Additionally, I have attached some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you to check out which I strongly recommend reading.

expert reply by: Kyle S