Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installation in 2008 Chevy Tahoe

Published 02/28/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$14.40

Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.

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$11.41

Question:

So I wrote in before..the problem im having is that the Takonsha P3 applies the trailer brakes when accelerating. I checked the wires using a test light. The Dark Blue only is hot when the brakes are applied, ground looks good, Hot wire is hot all the time and the the white tracer is hot all the time. this one is supposed to be hot when brakes applied perhaps this is the problem here. Any suggestions?

asked by: John D

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your wiring connections are not quite correct. You will need to put a circuit tester like # PTW2993 on each individual wire to determine function. You should have no power going to the controller except for the 12V power wire. All other wires should have no power. The brake light switch should have power only when you hit your brake pedal, so to determine the brake switch wire, it should have no signal when not hitting the brake and signal when hitting the brake. The ground should never have power and the blue wire should only have power when you hit the brake pedal when moving or when you hit the manual override of your Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195.

I've attached the installation video on a 2011 Chevy Tahoe and a 2008 Silverado to assist. I recommend checking your trailer wiring connection on your vehicle side without your trailer connected to test each function with your circuit tester before connecting the trailer. Clean your connections using some light sandpaper and use dielectric grease like # 11755 to keep moisture and debris out of your connections to prevent wiring connection issues.

If you have issues with your trailer after this, you know it is wiring on the trailer side and you will need to use a battery and your tester to search for the short. I've attached a wiring article to assist. Let me know if you need further assistance.

expert reply by: Jason S

click to enlarge

John

2/28/2018

Jason S.

2/28/2018

The blue wire coming off your controller seems to be working properly. The black wire going into your controller should have constant power. The white wire, should have no power at all any of the time...it is the ground. The red wire should be connected to the cold side of your brake light switch and should only be hot when you press the pedal. It sounds based on color that you have a white tracer wire that is on the hot side of the switch and that would constantly apply your trailer brakes. You want to find the cold side of that brake light switch so you only have power when you hit the brake pedal on that wire that connects to the red wire on your controller.