Troubleshooting No Power After Brake Controller Installation on 2013 GMC Sierra 1500

Question:

Im trying to hook up a trailer brake controller to my 2013 GMC 1500 Sierra. I pulled the wires that were taped up under the dash but the red/black battery wire is not hot. There is a red/black wire connected to stud2 on my fuse block and it is hot. What am I missing?

asked by: Cliff P

Expert Reply:

When installing your # TK90160 on your 2013 Sierra 1500 the black brake controller power wire should typically be connected to the red wire on the vehicle side. We have some reports of multiple wires that are red with a black stripe which may be what you are seeing.

The only way to be sure is to trace the wire back. More than likely that is a different wire you found if you have power at the fuse block but not the brake controller. You can use your owner's manual to find which fuse is associated with which feature in order to trace the correct wires.

I would also recommend checking to see if you have the required fuses installed. See steps 5 and 6 in the attached article. A 30 amp fuse needs to go in the correct slot in the power distribution box to activate the brake controller power post and a 40 amp fuse is required for the 12V power lead post.

expert reply by: Robin H