Alternative Location for Brake Controller Red Wire on a 2012 Chevy Express Van

Published 10/09/2013

Question:

In your photos attached to the chevy express van as it pertains to the ETBC7 product, there is a photo of a fused pigtail red power take-off lead from a fuse box in the engine compartment. Can you identify its use?... Im wondering if it is the brake signal to the brake controller... The brake switch connectors wire size seems impossibly small and would be difficult to splice and no splice or tap at the brake switch connector is depicted in the photos. Is there another way to source the brake signal from this vehicle for the brake controller?

asked by: E. H

Expert Reply:

The red wire you are seeing is related to the under hood connections to make the factory tow package fully functional. The problem you are describing with the brake switch wire is common. Those wires are very thin on some vehicles. There can be other places to get the brake signal.

Check the fuse panel or owners manual for the location of the stop light or CHMSL fuse. CHMSL stands for center high mount stop light. These are dedicated brake light only signals. You can then use an appropriate sized fuse tap, run it through the fire wall, and connect to the brake controller red wire.

We have several videos chronicling the installation of the ETBC7 on the Chevy Express Van. I have included links to all of them for you.

expert reply by: Michael H