When Head Lights are On the Trailer Brakes Activate on 2001 Chevy Silverado and Voyage Brake Control

Updated 04/18/2013 | Published 04/17/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Activator IV Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 4 Axles - Time Delayed

(357)

$103.31

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1793)

$18.95

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

I have a 2001 Chevy pickup with a Tekonsha Voyager trailer brake controller installed. Any time the headlights come on in the truck, the trailer brakes also come on. I tried a different controller, and had the same results. Any ideas?

asked by: Rob

Expert Reply:

You most likely have the brake controller red wire on the wrong circuit. There is something called an illumination circuit and if you are using a harness to plug into the truck, the pin for the red wire may be in the wrong place.

The harness you should be using is # 3035-P for your Voyager brake controller. If you are looking at the back of the plug where the wires go into, and blue tab is pointed down the wires should be in the following positions:

Blue = top left
Black = middle left
Red = bottom left
White = bottom right

I have also included a picture for you. If your red wire is in a different location, move it to the correct location. If this is where your red wire is, then remove the plug for the vehicle and use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test the pins in the port where the connector goes. You want the one that shows power ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed and not when the head lights are on. Move the red wire to the corresponding spot in the connector that matches that pin location in the port.