Locating Electric Brake Wire for Brake Controlelr Installation on a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban

Question:

I have a 1999 K2500 Suburban. I has the factory 7-way connector in the rear bumper. I need to install a brake controller. Since it does NOT have the qucik connect connector under the dash - where do I find the blue wire to connect to the brake controller? I understand the brake stop light wire is connected to the NAT post in the block under the dash mounted by the left foot.

asked by: scott s

Expert Reply:

The blue electric brake wire for the brake controller must be connected to the electric brake wire from your 7-way connector.

Some of the 1999 Chevy Suburbans will already have the blue electric brake wire and orange power lead wire run from the front of the vehicle to the end of the frame rail on the driver side, but you will need some additional wire to make the connection. If you are able to locate these wires, the blue would be connected to the electric brake wire, and the orange would be connected to the 12v power lead wire from your 7-way plug. At the rear of the vehicle, the blue and orange wires terminate at the end of the drivers side frame rail. These wires run under the vehicle and into the engine compartment, terminating under the brake booster. These wires can be covered in electrical tape, and due to the age of the vehicle, could be covered with dirt and road debris, making them difficult to locate.

You would also need to connect the blue and orange wires under your hood accordingly--the orange to your positive battery terminal, and the blue would be routed into the cab to connect to the blue brake controller wire.

If you do not have the blue and orange wires in the rear of your vehicle, you will need to tap into the electric brake wire and power lead from your 7-way plug, and run the wires along your frame, and under the hood. The 12v power lead wire will be connected to your positive battery terminal with a 40amp circuit breaker, part # 9510 if needed.

The electric brake wire will be routed through your firewall to connect with the blue wire from the brake controller. Using a brake control wiring kit # 5506 would give you the additional wiring, zip ties, and various connectors needed for your hardwiring installation, as well as the circuit breaker needed for the black wire on your brake controller.

I recommend re-checking your stop light wire connection point, as all my information indicates that you would need to hardwire the red wire into the pigtail under your dash, near the brake pedal.

I have included a link to a video below that should help you locate the wires under your hood if they are there.