Installing a Brake Controller on 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with OEM Integrated Brake Controller

Updated 07/31/2013 | Published 07/30/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(755)

$78.00

12-10 Gauge Butt Connector

(23)

$0.86

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

(30)

$2.01

Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness for Tekonsha and Draw-Tite Brake Controller 12" Long

(725)

$16.33

Question:

Can I bypass the manufacture install brake controller with a Tekonsha Voyager? Reason being gm install one has a lot of issued of service brake trailer system coming on, rather be safe then sorry. Had a voyager in my 2007 Dodge Ram it work very well, now have a 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500hd. Thanks

asked by: Wes S

Expert Reply:

You can install an aftermarket brake controller on your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD even if it has the OEM brake controller. You should find five blunt cut wires taped up under the drivers side dash between the brake pedal and the emergency brake pedal. I have attached a photo showing the wires for you to check out.

You should see a red/black wire which supplies 12 volt power to the brake controller, white for ground, light blue/white for the brake light switch, dark blue for brake control output and orange for the center high mount stop lamp. The dark blue and orange wires will not be used.

The Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller, # 39510, will have 4 wires, black for 12 volt power, white for ground, red for the stop light switch and blue for power output to the trailer brakes. You can simply splice the wires together by function except for the blue wire from the brake controller. Since your truck has the integrated brake controller, the dark blue wire from the harness on your truck is not connected to the 7-way trailer connector on your truck.

To finish wiring the brake controller, you will need an appropriate length of 12-gauge wire, # 12-1-1, to run from the brake controller to the 7-way trailer connector on your truck. You will see wires going into the back of your trailer connector. Locate the blue wire going into the trailer connector on your truck, cut the wire and splice in the 12-gauge wire you ran from your brake controller. The brake controller will come with the necessary butt connectors to make your connections, but you may need one more butt connector at the trailer connector. For this, you can use part # 05732-2.

If you are not receiving any power to the brake controller once you have finished the wiring, you may need to make two additional connections under the hood to provide power to the brake controller and to the 7-way trailer connector. One wire is located between the battery and the fuse box and the driver side fender and the second wire will be located near the master cylinder. I have attached an FAQ that details this installation for you to check out.