Troubleshooting Brake Controller with Voltage on Red Wire All the Time

Question:

I have a Tekonsha brake controller and a 3015-P pigtail connected to the firewall junction box on a 2006 Chevy Avalanche.The brake lights on the Avalanche function perfectly. Unfortunately, I am getting a constant 12vts. on the red brake light wire even when the brake pedal is NOT pushed. Any suggestion on how to proceed? Thanks

asked by: David P

Helpful Expert Reply:

The # 3015-P is the correct brake controller install harness for the 2006 Chevy Avalanche so that's not the issue. I would think the problem is that the 12 volt (black) wire is shorting out somehow to the red wire of the brake controller wiring. It's hard to say exactly where it would be but you would want to go over the wiring of the brake controller looking for any exposed wiring and fix as needed.

It also could be a bad controller that is backfeeding 12 volts onto the circuit. You could test this by checking the red wire for voltage with a circuit tester # PTW2993 with the controller plugged in and then unplug just the brake controller. If the 12 volts goes away the problem is the controller and would need to be replaced with like the p3 # 90195.

expert reply by: Jameson C