Troubleshooting Draw-Tite Activator IV Installation with No Power  

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Expert Reply:

Thank you for the additional information via email. If your Draw-Tite Activator # 5504 is not powering up, but everything else seems to be working correctly, it sounds like there is an issue with the 12v power wire (black) going into the brake controller. We'll want to start by checking to make sure that there aren't any blown fuses.

The fuse for the brake controller on a 2007 Chevy Silverado (New Body Style) is located at the front of the power distribution box under the hood of the truck. There will be 2 studs at the front of the box. The fuse locations closest to these two studs power the 7-Way 12 volt circuit and the brake controller. If facing the engine from the front of the truck, the location on the left side should be for the brake controller. I have included a link to an FAQ article that should help.

If your 2007 is a Classic and not the New Body style then look for a post on the left side of the box near the back. The fuse location nearest to it is the spot for the brake controller. I have linked an FAQ for that as well.

If your fuses are in working order, the next thing you'll want to do is to check the black wire on the brake controller to see if it is getting power. Using a circuit tester like the # PTW2992 , with the vehicle turned on or ACC, test the black wire directly behind the brake controller; if you're getting power there-the unit has a defect and we'll need to get you new one. If you're not getting power on the black wire into the brake controller you'll want to test the black wire behind the # 3015-P adapter (classic body style only) to determine if there is power there. If you have the new body style and hard-wired in, check for power on the other side of your hard-wired connection and also make sure that your connections are secure.

If you're not seeing power there, you'll need to trace that wire back to the battery to make sure that it is connected to power and not damaged along the line. You could also just run a new 12v power wire from the battery and connect it directly to the wire running into your brake controller; this would be the best solution if you're hard-wired so you can just bypass that whole black wire and any issues that it may be having.

If you go through all of these steps and we still haven't gotten your Draw-Tite Activator working, let me know and I can continue troubleshooting.

expert reply by: Erik B

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