Aftermarket Brake Controller Install in GM Truck or SUV Equipped With Factory Brake Controller

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Question:

Does anyone there have any experience with installing a new stand alone brake controller in to a GM that has the factory integrated brake controller? Mine is bad and its way to expensive and time consuming to diagnose and repair, so I am hoping that I can just disconnect the factory unit and plug in a standalone. Thoughts?

asked by: Miles

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

What you describe is pretty much the procedure. You'll first choose the brake controller you're wanting to use. One of my favorites is the Tekonsha P3, part # 90195 because of how easy it is to use. The P3 features a full LCD display that actually tells you in plain English (or French or Spanish if you prefer) what's going on with your trailer braking system. You won't need to memorize error codes or learn Morse code to determine that that series of flashes means. You'll also need the # 3016 brake controller wiring harness.

To install the controller, plug the harness into the socket shown in the provided photo. The socket is located in the junction box on the firewall behind the e-brake pedal. You'll then sever the blue wire on the harness about 6 inches after it exits the rear of the controller. To that cut wire, connect a length of # 10-1-1 wire, long enough to pass through the firewall, into the engine compartment and under the vehicle back to the trailer connector. Find the blue wire exiting the rear of the 7-way trailer connector, and sever it about 6 inches from the trailer connector. Connect the wire you ran from the front to this wire.

By doing this, you've abandoned the factory brake controller, and you won't see any warnings on the dash.

I've linked you to an article that will walk you through the process mentioned above.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

Brake Controller Connector Location 2018 Chevy Tahoe
(click to enlarge)

Peter H.

9/18/2024

I have a similar issue to the one above, I have a 2011 GMC 2500 HD four-wheel-drive crew cab Duramax with an integrated brake controller, and I have replaced every component except for the ECM, which seems to be the problem. I already have an aftermarket controller, but would like to know if they make an adapter harness that I could just plug into the truck and snip the blue wire back by the plug

Answer 1

There isn't anything like an autonomous controller that would step up if the factory controller fails. I'd simply bypass the existing factory brake controller. The GM ITBC, although it works better now than the earlier models has been…

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Answer 2

The videos we have are based on what vehicles come in for installations so we just have not had a 2009 Silverado yet but you can install the P3 brake controller on it. On your truck you will have a tow package wire bundle under the hood, to the left…

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Answer 3

To install a brake controller on your 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT 4x4, you will just need the vehicle specific plug-in adapter. These adapters are usually brand specific. For example, if you go with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller,…

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Answer 4

I have a solution for you but we do not have any standard grease caps with a 2.24" diameter like the #RG04-020 . I recommend going with the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors #BB2240 which will not only protect your bearings but provide an easy,…

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Answer 5

We do have a compatible grease seal for your 168255TC oil seal, however, we do not carry rubber coated seals in this size. The 168255TC oil seal was designed to work with oil bath hubs on a 3,500 lb axle. For the most part, axle manufacturers have…

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Answer 6

I am sorry to hear that you are having some problems with your new truck. But yes, you can add an aftermarket brake controller without causing issues with the electronics in your truck. You will get error codes on your dash using an aftermarket…

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Answer 7

In the video you're referring to of the 2015 Ram 3500 we installed the Prodigy P3, part #90195, simply because the customer wanted one. He wasn't happy with the performance of the factory integrated brake controller on his truck and he had…

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Answer 8

Installing the P3 brake controller #90195 on your 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 with factory integrated controller will actually be very simple. What you will do is use harness #3016 which plugs into a port on the truck already. But you will need to…

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Answer 9

The brake controller/tow package connector is located in the black junction box on the firewall above where the driver's left foot would sit and behind the e-brake pedal. You'll need to remove the cover from the junction box, the connector is…

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Answer 10

The 2012 Chevy Suburban didn't have a plug under the dash for a brake controller installation, it has a bundle of loose wires under the dash above the emergency brake pedal assembly, as shown in the provided photo. The pigtail from your #90195 P3…

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Answer 11

The Prodigy P3 trailer brake controller uses a 4-wire hookup. The white wire is to be grounded to the battery negative terminal; the black power wire connects to the battery hot terminal through a circuit breaker; the red wire takes in the brake…

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Answer 12

It looks like you've got a 2011 Chevy Silverado, and it's likely that you just don't have power on the wires you've connected the Pigtail Wiring Harness #7894 to on your vehicle. If you haven't already, you should test the power…

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Aftermarket Brake Controller Install in GM Truck or SUV Equipped With Factory Brake Controller

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