Installing a Brake Controller on a 2007 Chevy Express Van with Factory 7-Way Trailer Connector

Updated 10/26/2016 | Published 10/25/2016

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Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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Question:

Bought a new Chevy express van yesterday. It came prewired for trailer brakes. I pulled the 4 wire wiring harness from under the dash but I am getting zero voltage on any of the wires. The ground is good. Are there any fuses that would keep me from having voltage on the wire that is designated as the hot wire. Thanks.

asked by: Casey P

Expert Reply:

The Chevy Vans are not actually pre-wired for a brake controller. A brake controller has to be partially hardwired in. If your 2007 Chevy Express came with a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector then the blue brake output wire should be ran from under the dash, near the emergency brake pedal back to the 7-Way. But the other wires have to be hardwired to the vehicle.

Some models will require a wiring kit to run wire to the battery. This may require drilling a hole in the firewall to run the wire. You may use kit # 5506 which includes 20-, 30-, and 40-amp breakers.

The white wire is ground and needs to go to the negative battery terminal. Black is 12-volt power in and attaches to a 30-amp circuit breaker included in kit 5506. And red attaches to the cold side of the brake switch. On the 2007 Chevy Van it should be a white wire on the brake switch. Use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 or a meter if you have one to verify that wire only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. And the blue wire will go to the van blue wire mentioned earlier.

expert reply by: Michael H