Voyager Brake Controller Red Light Not Coming On with Brakes Applied on a 2004 Chevy Silverado

Updated 06/01/2020 | Published 09/03/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(755)

$77.29

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

We have a 2004 Chevy Silverado with the Voyager brake controller. We have used it for about 5 years now. Just yesterday, when hauling our fifth wheel, the green light was on, but when pressure was applied to the brakes, the red light did not come on and we are not sure if the brakes on the trailer are kicking in! The maunal bar was adjusted also. Please help with any suggestions!

asked by: Wendy S

Expert Reply:

There are several possible causes that would lead the red light not to come on when applying the brakes or manual override on the Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller, # 39510. First, if truck is not moving, the brakes will not activate. You will also want to check to make sure the power setting is not too low.

There may be no signal from the brake light switch. You will need to test the red wire from the back of the brake controller using a circuit tester like # PTW2993. If there is no voltage, it could be a loose or broken connection. You can also check the blue wire. with no brakes applied, test for voltage. If it shows voltage with no brakes applied, there is a short to the blue wire. Make sure the ground is also properly connected.

You may need to level the sensor. First connect the trailer to the truck. Set the power knob to maximum. Step on brakes and hold them there. While holding the brakes, rotate the power knob back until the light changes from green to red. Then rotate it back the other way slowly until the light appears orange. Dim orange is a normal setting. Bright orange is an aggressive setting. Dim red is the most aggressive setting.

There could also be a blown stop light fuse. Check the under-hood fuse box for the fuse. There should be a legend on the fuse box lid that shows where the fuse is located. You will also want to double check that all the under-hood connections for the brake controller/tow package on your 2004 Chevy Silverado are made and that the fuses are in place and not blown. I have included a link to an FAQ article that explains these connections and link to the brake controller instructions below.

expert reply by: Michael H

Glen M.

5/29/2020

Red light stays on always. When you slide the slider light turns green. Tried it on 2 different trucks same issue. Camper brakes work fine on 2 other vechiles. Any ideas. Thx

Chris R.

6/1/2020

If this same thing happened with two different trucks there's a really good chance that the controller itself is bad and needs to be replaced. Is this a new unit or one you've had for a while? Can you actually feel that the trailer brakes are engaging with that light red on the Voyager?