No Green Light On the Power Trac Brake Controller When Trailer is Connected to a 2011 Chevy Traverse

Question:

I purchased the Tekonsha Power Trac Brake Controller 39523 with pigtail 3026-P for a 2011 Chevy Traverse. It connected fine to the existing gray plug by the emergency brake and I have the controller mounted below the steering wheel. I have an existing 4 plug that goes to the back of the vehicle connected to the tailights. This 4 plug then connects to 7 plug kit that is attached to my receiver hitch. I have the 4plug grounded to the body and the 7plug kit grounded to the receiver hitch. My wiring appears to be in good shape on both the vehicle and popup camper I am connecting too. When I press the break I get a dim red light, otherwise, no light at all when connected to the trailer. If it is flickering, I cant tell that it is. I have attempted to adjust the dial and move the manual switch with no brakes on the trailer that I can tell. Suggestions for solving my problem? Thanks!

asked by: Martin K

Expert Reply:

The Electric Brake Controller Wiring Adapter, # 3026-P, is designed for use with the 2011 Chevy Traverse, if it has a factory installed 7-Way connector. Since you have a aftermarket 4-Way connector, like part # 118450, installed inline with the taillights and a 7-Way adapter, like part # 37185, that the 4-Way harness plugs into, you most likely will have to run at least one wire from the blue brake controller output wire to the blue electric brake feed wire on your 7-Way adapter at the receiver hitch.

First, make sure there is 12 volt power on the black wire going into the Power Trac brake controller, # 39523. If there is no power going into the unit you will need to sever the black wire and hard wire it through a 30 amp circuit breaker, PK54530, to the positive post of the vehicle battery, using 10 guage wire, # 10-2-1.

Next, check the red wire for power when the brake pedal is pressed. If there is no power when the pedal is pressed, you will need to sever the red wire and tap into the wire at the brake pedal that has power only when the brake pedal is pressed.

Finally, if you do not have the trailer brake output wire connected to the blue wire at the 7-Way adapter, you will need to sever the blue wire at the brake controller and run a 10 gauge wire, # 10-1-1, to the back of the vehicle and connect it.

Once you have all of the wiring correctly ran and tested, you should setup the Power Trac brake controller using the manufacturer instructions, see link.

We have a video installation showing our brake controller installation kit, # ETBC7, being installed on a Chevy van that gives a good idea of the process, and we have detailed instructions, see links. This kit includes all of the parts needed to hard wire a brake controller on vehicles without factory brake controller wiring.