Brake Controller Installed in 2021 Chevy Silverado Z71 Trail Boss Not Powering Up

Published 11/05/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers

(188)

$19.95

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/16" Ring ID

(69)

$1.33

Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 5/16" Ring ID

(69)

$1.00

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.19

Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 30 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

(66)

$8.38

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

Thanks Mike, checked the diagram on fuse panel cover. Position 84 is for the trailer brakes. I will get a circuit tester and try that. I hope its the brake controller thats bad. Thanks again for your assistance. Youve been a great help.

asked by: John G

Expert Reply:

Assuming that you've found the correct connector for the # 3064-P brake control harness which is located under the dash to the left of the steering column, I'd wager than you have a fuse missing in the power distribution box in the engine compartment on the passenger side. Check fuse location # 84, and make sure that there's a fuse installed there. If the fuse is missing or blown, you can obtain a replacement from your local auto parts store.

expert reply by: Mike L

Customer Submitted Photo
(click to enlarge)

John G.

11/5/2021

See attached photo. Checked position 84. Fuse is there and appears to not be blown.

Mike L.

11/5/2021

As a next step, I'd leave the # 3064-P plugged into the vehicle but unplug it from the brake controller. Use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the pin in the plug that's fed by the black wire. If that pin is putting out voltage, then the controller is faulty and should be replaced. If it isn't putting out voltage, I'd check your paper copy of the owner's manual, and confirm that the 'trailer brake' fuse location is in # 84 (sometimes the online owner's manual gets superseded). At this point, if you confirm that 84 is the correct fuse, then there's a problem in the vehicle wiring between the fuse box and the connector under the dash. You can take the vehicle to the dealer and have that fixed, or you can simply bypass that circuit. If you wish to bypass the factory power feed to the brake controller, you'll need to sever the black wire in the # 3064-P harness several inches away from the rear of the brake controller, and splice in a length of 10 ga wire long enough to pass through the firewall to the positive battery terminal. We sell the wire by the foot as part # 10-1-1. You'll run that wire through a 30 amp circuit breaker like # PK54530. You'll also need two # 44-5310A and one # 44-5356A ring terminal. You'll want to mount the breaker as close as possible to the battery.

John G.

11/5/2021

Mike L.

11/5/2021

I'm glad we could help. You could also take the fuse to an auto parts store and have them test it. With some of the J-Case fuses, it can be difficult to tell visually if they're blown.