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Question Was Asked By - Tracey B
My GM Factory Brake Contoller Wiring Adapter has a Very Small Gauge Ground Wire, Is This a Problem?
Question:
I bought a 2007 Chevy Dually. It has a Hayes brake controller already in it. The controller is connected to a GM harness that plugs into an electric panel under the dash. I assume the socket in that panel is connected to the trailer plug in the rear. My question is about the wire size between the controller and panel. The GM supplied harness has a very small wire for the ground. Im talking tiny. I read where the brake power and ground wires should be at least 14 gauge but this ground is much much smaller than that. The reason Im asking is because I have voltage of around 3 volts when I connect my trailer. The trailer has been re-worked with all new wires, connectors, and brakes and all has been rechecked but I still have weak brakes. Im looking for the reason for the voltage . Also, will the voltage measure the same at any point in the line between the controller and the magnets or will it be 12 until it hits a weak point and after that? Thanks
asked by: Tracey B
Expert Reply:
Is the brake controller a proportional model? If so, it would explain the limited voltage being sent to the brakes. The controller will not send more than a few volts to the trailer brakes unless the controller senses the vehicle stopping. The ground wire on that OEM harness should not be an issue. The brake output and the 12 volt power supply wires are typically larger gauge wires, and the ground and the connection to the stoplight switch are usually smaller gauge. Also keep in mind that the OEM harnesses do not wire up to the brake controller color for color. The red wire on the Chevrolet harness connects to the black brake controler wire, the light blue vehicle wire connects to the red wire on the controller, the black vehicle wire connects to the white wire on the controller, and the dark blue wires connect together. Assuming that the brake controller is set for maximum output, you should be reading 12 volts from the connector all the way back to the brakes.
expert reply by: Mike L
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