Installing Brake Controller on 2011 Chevy Silverado with Factory Integrated Brake Controller

Updated 08/28/2019 | Published 08/27/2019

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12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

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Question:

I have a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 that came with the factory installed brake controller. The controller is showing an error and after talking to several dealers I decided to put in an after market controller. I chose the Tekonsha 90160 Primus IQ Electronic Brake Control. Do you have any install instructions specific to my vehicle. The instructions that came with the unit were very generic and Im not sure how to bypass the stock controller components. Thanks

asked by: Jim R

Expert Reply:

On your 2011 Chevy Silverado that came equipped with the factory brake controller there should be four or five blunt-cut wires bundled up under the left side of the instrument panel. They will be above your left shin if you're sitting in the driver's seat. I have attached an image to assist.

The wires should be labeled for function and will be red/black, white, light blue/white, dark blue, and orange (some models might not have this orange wire) in color.

When making connections from the wiring of the Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160 the Primus black wire (12V power) will go to the Silverado's red/black wire. The white wire on the controller will go to the white wire on the truck (ground), the red wire (brake input) will go to the light blue/white wire, and the blue wire (brake output) will go to the dark blue wire. If your truck does have the orange factory wire it will be left alone as it's not needed.

After these connections are made you will need some additional 12 gauge wiring # 12-1-1 (sold by the foot) to reach back to the 7-Way connector. I have attached a great article below that details this process along with the connections that need to be made under the hood. Following these steps will bypass the factory controller and won't require a trip to the dealer to have anything on the truck flashed/reset.

expert reply by: Chris R