Troubleshooting Hopkins Brake-Force Brake Controller Installation in 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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Question:

I installed a Hopkins Brake-Force #47225 brake controller. I followed the vehicle specific wiring guide provided with the controller, but when I depress the brake pedal the indicator light doesnt come on. The indicator light lights up with the manual override, and it increases brightness as the amount of braking increases, only with the manual override. What should I check?

asked by: Jerrod D

Expert Reply:

The red wire on your Hopkins Brake-Force brake controller 47225 is likely to be the cause for you not seeing the indicator light illuminate. This wire must connect to the cold side of the brake light switch, which is the side that goes hot ONLY when the pedal is pressed and at no other time, or to the CHMSL rear stop light circuit. It sounds like your controller may have an incorrect connection on the red wire as this would result in the manual lever activating the light but pressing the pedal not doing so.

We do not sell the Brake Force controller, but I did review the installation instructions. It can happen that an auto maker will switch a wire color during a production run. Although the wiring guide offers a specific color of wire, testing with a circuit tester like # PTW2993 is the best way to confirm what signal a wire is carrying.

expert reply by: Adam R