Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller on a 2005 Chevy Silverado

Updated 04/24/2013 | Published 06/15/2011

Question:

cannot get the brake box to work. it is a hopkins brake control. I need a wire diagram to follow. the box has a black,red,white and blue wire. the truck has red,blue,brown, small light blue and small black. it is a 2005 chevy silverado.

asked by: Joe T

Expert Reply:

On the Hopkins Agility Brake Controller, # HM47294, I can tell you the 4 functions of the wires. The white wire is the ground, the black wire is 12 volt power, the blue wire is output to the trailer brakes, and the red wire is for the brake light switch.

A 2005 Chevy Silverado should have a brake controller port located in a junction box under the dash and to the left of the brake pedal. You would need Hopkins Plug-in Simple Brake Wiring Adapter, # HM47795. There may also be some connections that you will need to make under the hood to make the brake controller functional. I have included an FAQ article that explains these connections.

expert reply by: Michael H

Danny S.

4/12/2013

I have power on the blue wire to brake when ever switch is on. Brakes come on on trailer whenever headlights are on.

Patrick B.

4/24/2013

It sounds then, that the red wire is in the wrong spot on the brown plug. The red wire is what detects when the brake pedal is pressed. Take a look at the instructions linked on the product page. Fig 3 shows the orientation for 1999-2002 Chevy/GMC and Fig 4 shows the location for 2003-2007 Classic Body Chevy/GMC vehicles.