Can P3 Brake Controller be Wired Into Factory Brake Control Harness on a 2011 Chevy Silverado

Updated 09/11/2017 | Published 09/08/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.79

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

(30)

$2.01

Question:

Hi. Is there a way to put a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 controler in my truck and use the existing oem harness. Plug and play ? I have different trailers some electric some electric over hydraulic.

asked by: Bo S

Expert Reply:

Yes, you can use the Chevy brake controller wiring harness with the P3 # 90195 on your 2011 Chevy Silverado. On the brake controller the white wire is ground, black is 12 volt power into the controller, blue is output to the trailer brakes, and red is input from the brake switch. There isn't a plug and play option for this truck but there is a factory wire bundle under the dash which I will explain later.

The wires on your factory harness should be black for ground, red for 12 volt power, dark blue for trailer brakes, and light blue for input from the brake switch.

So it will wire up as follows:

Controller white to harness black
Controller black to harness red
Controller blue to harness dark blue
Controller red to harness light blue

If the wire colors on your factory harness are different colors then check for labels on the factory harness that indicate the functions. I have linked a video showing installation of the P3 on a 2011 Silverado for you.

Now if you have the factory brake controller then if you disconnect it from the factory harness it will cause an error message to appear. To bypass this issue you can use the wire bundle that is located under the dash to the left of the steering column held together with a white tag. You will not use the dark blue wire for brake output.

Using enough 12-gauge wire, # 12-1-1 sold by the foot, to reach the rear of the truck, connect one end to the Blue wire on the aftermarket brake control. Run the other end of the Blue wire in conduit or loom to the 7-way trailer connector. At the 7-way trailer connector you will have to remove some tape and pull back the plastic loom to access the factory-installed Blue wire. Cut the factory Blue wire approximately 4 to 6 inches from the trailer connector.