Brake Controller Does Not Power On After Installation on a 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500

Updated 04/13/2016 | Published 04/10/2016

Question:

Hi I have researched the Internet to death. And still cannot find the info I am looking for. I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 that did not come with the factory tow package. But it has the various connectors. I purchased a Tekonsha P2 i think, the 3015P harness, and the 7 way/4 way socket from Etrailer.com. So it was easy to just connect everything right up to the truck. I opened the fuse panel and connected the red wire to STUD #1. Added the 40A fuse. The 30A fuse was already in place for STUD #2. But I still have nothing. I have used my tester to check voltage readings to the various wires to the brake controller. The only wire that gets hot is the red one when I push on the brake pedal. The blue wire next to STUD #2 has a connector on it. It does not run to the blue wire at the brake controller. So I am assuming it might run to the back of the truck socket. The 30A fuse gets power. Is something missing from my truck. Why can I not get power to the brake controller? Additionally, what needs to go on STUD #2? I was under the impression that this would be plug-n-play.

asked by: Joe M

Expert Reply:

Chevy trucks like your 2004 Silverado 1500 are known to require some additional connections under the hood to make a brake controller fully functional. We have a help article that covers exactly this which I have linked for you.

The red wire with the ring terminal on it that you found goes on the stud at the back left of the power distribution box nearest the green 30 amp fuse. This is power to the brake controller. I have included a picture that will help. It is B in the picture.

expert reply by: Michael H