Hardwiring a Brake Controller for a 1999 Chevy Tahoe

Updated 04/18/2024 | Published 10/07/2008

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(15)

$20.02

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3469)

$118.67

Question:

Unfortunately, the 1999 Tahoe does not have the port under the dash to plug in the brake controller wiring adapter. You will need to hardwire your controller. We have a how to pagethat you might find helpful, I have linked to it below. There are wires ran from the above the spare tire to the engine compartment for the trailer brakes and the 12v trailer lead. Under the hood, these wires which are usually blue and orange, and are bundled with tape and located below the brake booster. You most likely have many years of road crud built up under there, so the bundle might be very hard to find, follow the brake lines down from the booster, and they are usually located near where the lines turn to head under the firewall. The blue wire would run through the firewall and connect to the blue brake output wire on your brake controller. The orange wire is the 12v lead for the trailer connector, and would connect to a 12v power source. As the page says, you will need a T-1 connector, part # C55319, to tap into the vehicle wiring system, a brake controller, and a brake controller wiring kit, part # ETBC7, to finish your installation.

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

Unfortunately, the 1999 Tahoe does not have the port under the dash to plug in the brake controller wiring adapter. You will need to hardwire your controller. We have a how to pagethat you might find helpful, I have linked to it below. There are wires ran from the above the spare tire to the engine compartment for the trailer brakes and the 12v trailer lead. Under the hood, these wires which are usually blue and orange, and are bundled with tape and located below the brake booster. You most likely have many years of road crud built up under there, so the bundle might be very hard to find, follow the brake lines down from the booster, and they are usually located near where the lines turn to head under the firewall.

The blue wire would run through the firewall and connect to the blue brake output wire on your brake controller. The orange wire is the 12v lead for the trailer connector, and would connect to a 12v power source. As the page says, you will need a T-1 connector, part # C55319, to tap into the vehicle wiring system, a brake controller, and a brake controller wiring kit, part # ETBC7, to finish your installation.

expert reply by: Mike L

David C.

4/15/2024

I absolutely cannot find the white brake light wire under the dash. There is no connector attached to the very top of the brake pedal. Any help would be appreciated.

Mike L.

4/18/2024

@DavidC Due to under dash cross-member being in the way, it's very difficult to locate and access that brake switch. There are two other easier places to access the brake lamp signal. Find the junction box behind the e-brake pedal. Look for a terminal that's labeled 'NAT'. Use a circuit tester on that pin while pressing the brake pedal. If the tester lights when the pedal is pressed, you can install a push terminal on that red brake controller wire and access that brake lamp signal there. Otherwise, find the circuit feeding your 3rd brake lamp and access it there. Hope that helps!

Davecz

4/18/2024

@MikeL Sorry I didn't see your response at first. Thanks so much for your detailed reply :-) Dave