Troubleshooting Brake Controller On 2003 Chevrolet Silverado When Trailer Brakes Dont Work

Updated 05/04/2015 | Published 05/02/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Brake-Control Wiring Adapter - Ford

(35)

$21.69

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

Brakes on trailer work when I press the override button, brakes do not work when I press the foot pedal

asked by: Jerry K

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of items that are causing your brake controller problem.

The problem can be caused by either the stoplight wire incorrectly installed, or the adapter you are using is not designed for the brake controller you have. The plug-in adapter from Hopkins we show that is designed to fit a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado is part # HM47795. It is designed to fit certain models of Hopkins brake controllers like Hopkins Agility Trailer Brake Controller (HM47294), and Hopkins Reliance, Impulse and Brake-Force Brake Controllers, so if you have one of the mentioned controllers the adapter should work for you. The plug-in adapter you referenced is designed to work with Ford only.

If you are hardwiring the controller to the vehicle, you will want to use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the wires on the brake switch above the brake pedal. You need to attach the red wire from the brake controller to the brake switch wire that shows power only when the brake pedal is pressed.

Test the blue wire as well. It should not show power all the time. It should only show power when the manual override is applied. Sever the blue wire a few inches back from the controller and test the wire using a circuit tester. If it shows power all the time, then the controller is bad, and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L