Functions of Each Wire Color on Tekonsha Brake Controller and Installation On a 2012 Chevy Silverado

Updated 06/13/2012 | Published 06/10/2012

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Question:

I need to know the wiring for the Tekonsha Envoy specifically,... is the black wire Positive??? This is contrary to ALL I have learned, RED is always positve?

asked by: WILLIAM

Helpful Expert Reply:

On the Tekonsha Envoy and all brake controllers the four wire colors will be, white is ground, black is 12 volt power, blue goes out to the trailer connector, and red is in from the stop light circuit on the brake switch. I am including a link to a FAQ page on trailer brake controllers.

On your 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, if you have the factory 7-way connector on your vehicle you will just run the brake controller wires to a bundle of 4 or 5 blunt cut wires that are located under the left side of the instrument panel to the left of the steering column. The wires can be identified by a white label and the color of the wires. The wire colors are,

(1) Red/Black wire connects to black wire on brake controller
(1) White wire connects to white wire on brake controller
(1) Light Blue/White wire connects to red wire on brake controller
(1) Dark Blue wire connects to blue wire on brake controller
possible (1) Orange wire is not used

You will also need to connect two wires under the hood of your Silverado to make the tow package functional. I am including a link to a tech bulletin that will describe how to install a brake controller to a 2007 to 2012 Chevrolet truck and it will show you where the two wires are located under the hood that will need to be connected.

If you do not have the factory 7-Way connector on the rear of your vehicle you will need to add the Pollak Replacement 7-Way Connector, part # PK11916, to your vehicle before you install the brake controller as mentioned above. I am including a link to a video of the # PK11916 connector being installed on a similar vehicle.