Grounding a P3 Brake Controller to Tow Package Wiring on a 2011 Chevy Silverado

Updated 03/15/2016 | Published 03/13/2016

Question:

Your video on installing and wiring a Tekonsha P3 is very helpful. I am the original owner of a 2011 Silverado and have located the proper wires under my dashboard above the brake pedal. The red, dark blue and light blue wires are all there. The orange wire is connected to another wire it will be unused so Im not worried. THE WHITE GROUND WIRE is a smaller gauge wire than the other wires and is connected to a black wire from the factory. Is it okay to cut into the white wire and splice into it? Would it be better to run a separate white ground wire to the chassis ground cable in the engine compartment? The difficulty with that scenario is I cant find a convenient hole through the firewall to run a wire. FYI one of the red wires running to the fuse box in the engine compartment was already connected from the factory. I will only have to connect the wire that was tucked between the drivers side fender and the fuse box. The printed instuctions say to disconnect the negative side of the battery before wiring the brake control unit. How important is this as it was not mentioned in the video. The video, btw, is far more instructive than the instructions that came with the P3. Thanks ETrailer.

asked by: L L

Helpful Expert Reply:

The tow package white ground wire under the dash of your 2011 Chevy Silverado is preferred for attaching the brake controller white ground wire. In essence that is what it's there for so it will work just fine to use it.

If you wanted to hardwire the ground wire you can do so but it needs to attach to the negative battery terminal. No other ground location should be used or the controller may not function properly.

You should follow the instructions for the P3 # 90195 so disconnecting the negative battery cable will ensure that there isn't a short while installing the controller so I recommend doing it. Some, but not all, Silverados will have the tow package wiring completed or mostly completed under the hood. If you have one connection done you're halfway there! I have linked a help article with additional information for you.

expert reply by: Michael H