Recommended Replacement Brake Controller for 2014 Silverado 1500 with Factory Brake Controller

Question:

I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ with integrated trailer brakes. They have not been very reliable and I would like to install an aftermarket controller. Can you recommend one and supply directions to bypass the factory system?

asked by: John R

Expert Reply:

To replace the factory integrated brake controller I recommend using the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional # 90195, which provides you with a reliable replacement for the factory system in your 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 and is one of the most popular units we see Chevy owners like yourself replace their factory system with.

When it comes to bypassing the factory brake controller on your 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500., it can be done, but if you just unplugged the factory controller it will cause an error light to display on the dash. I'll walk you through the process you'll need to go through to re-wire everything and not get the error light below.

First, under the dash on your Silverado, to the left of the steering column there is a tow package wire bundle held together with a white tag. The wire functions should be labeled on that tag. There should be a red/black wire for 12 volt power that goes to the brake controller black wire on the Tekonsha P3. There should also be a white ground wire that goes to the P3 white wire. The light blue wire in the bundle will be connected to the red wire on the P3 controller and controls the brake light switch. There will also be dark blue and orange wires that will not be used on the truck.

On the brake controller blue wire, you will need enough 12 gauge wire, # 12-1-1, to reach from the brake controller to the back of the truck. This wire is sold in lengths of 1 foot so if you needed 5 feet you would change the quantity to 5. What you will do is attach one end of the wire to the brake controller blue wire then route the wire through the firewall, under the truck, avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wire, and to the back of the 7-Way.

At the back of the 7-Way find the wire in the 7 o'clock position. Remove it and attach the new wire you ran in its stop. Tape up the other wire and stow it out of the way.

This will allow you to install a new brake controller that bypasses the factory system.