How to Wire a Brake Controller to a 1998 Chevrolet Pick Up Truck

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Question:

Hi, Can you please help me? I need a wiring diagram for a Tekonsha Voyager brake controller for a 1998 Chevy Silverado. Thanks

asked by: Mike R

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Expert Reply:

I have attached a diagram that shows how to wire a brake controller from scratch. If your truck did not come with a 7-way trailer connector, then you will also need to use the Installation Kit, # ETBC7. Your 1998 Chevrolet Pick up will not have a plug-in style connector option for the brake controller, so it will have to be hard wired to the vehicle.

There will be four wires coming from the brake controller. The white wire is the ground and that should either be attached to the negative battery terminal or to a clean, bare metal surface. The black wire from the brake controller will attach to the positive battery terminal via a 20-amp or 30-amp circuit breaker to power the brake controller. If your trailer has 2 or 4 brakes, then you will use a 20-amp circuit breaker. If your trailer has more than 4 brakes, then you will use a 30-amp circuit breaker. The blue wire is for the brake output circuit and that will run back to the 7-way trailer connector. Finally, the red wire will connect to the cold side of the stop light switch behind the brake pedal. Use a circuit tester like the tester included with the # ETBC7 kit to find the wire that only gets hot when the brake pedal is pressed. This will send a signal to the brake controller each time you press the brake pedal.

I have attached an FAQ article on wiring a brake controller from scratch as well as an installation video for you to check out. The vehicle in the video is different from your truck, but the installation process will be the same.

If you already have a 7-way connector on your trailer, then you will only need the brake controller wiring kit, # 5506. This will provide you with the wires for the brake output circuit and the power wire and circuit breaker for the brake controller. You will also need an additional length of wire, # 10-1-1, and a quick splice, # SWC502905-1, to connect the red wire to the stop light switch wire.

expert reply by: John H

0

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Answer 1

It sounds like you need to add a 7-Way RV style trailer connector to your 1997 Chevy pickup. Since you already have a connector, you will just need to add a 4 and 7 Way Installation Kit, #ETBC7. Though I am not certain if you have a 5-Way flat…

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Answer 2

To install a brake controller in your 1998 GMC C/K series 1500, there are a couple of items you will need in addition to the brake controller. If the truck does not have a 4-Way trailer connector, you will need to add one like part #118315. The…

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Answer 3

The best cost efficient brake controller solution for your 1998 Chevy C/K 3500 is going to be with the Brake EVN #TK63VR and the 4-way to 7-way adapter/brake controller install kit part #ETBC7. I attached an install video for the #ETBC7 on a similar…

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Answer 4

GM didn't start prewiring the Suburban until the 2000 model year. To install a brake controller like the Tekonsha #TK90160 Primus, you'll need to hardwire the controller into place. As a starting point, you'll need to have a functional…

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Answer 5

From what I know there are no tow package wires under the dash in the 1998 model year GM trucks. The under dash wire harness started in 2007. And from 1999 to 2006 there was a port under the dash. But for 1998 a brake controller like the #5504 has to…

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Answer 6

Yes, 14 gauge wire seems too small. I would go with 10 or 12 gauge. For 10 gauge you can use #10-1-1 and for 12 gauge use #12-1-1. These wires are sold in increments of 1 foot. So if you needed 20 feet of wire you would enter 20 in the quantity box.…

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Answer 7

GM did not include a plug-in style brake controller connection until the Silverado came out in 1999, so I doubt your 1998 Z71 has a brake controller port. Prior to 1999 brake controllers had to be hardwired to GM trucks and SUVs. Since you already…

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Answer 8

To add the 12V power and brake controller functions to your 1998 Chevy Silverado you need the Wiring Kit #5506, which includes all of the wiring, connections, and breakers you need to complete the installation. What you'll need to do is route…

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Answer 9

Yes, the Prodigy P3 #90195 would work extremely well in your 1998 Chevy K3500s. This is the nicest brake controller on a market that I would highly recommend for you. You will need to start with a 4-way (if you do not have one). For that you would…

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Answer 10

It sounds like you are talking about the tow package wires under your 1996 Chevy pickup. The orange or red wire is for 12 volt power to the 7-Way trailer connector. It powers 12 volt accessories on the trailer and/or provides a maintenance charge to…

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Answer 11

All the brake controller needs to sense a trailer connection so that you can test it is a slight amperage draw on the output circuit. For that you can use a circuit tester like the part #PTW2993 with one pin grounded and the other on the output pin.…

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Answer 12

To replace your 7 blade plug, the colors of wire will vary sometimes even within the same model year vehicle. We will have to match function to function. I recommend using a circuit tester, like the Quickee Circuit Tester #PTW2993, to test the…

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How to Wire a Brake Controller to a 1998 Chevrolet Pick Up Truck

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