Hard Wire Brake Controller Installation in 2002 GMC Topkick

Updated 05/19/2014 | Published 05/16/2014

Question:

Need to hard wire a controller in a Topkick with Hydraulic brakes any insight would be help full? Most of Power ,ground and feed to the trailer is not that big of a deal the control wire from the brake controller to the brake switch is where I have question I have found on the net that if you wire it at the switch it will cause the switch to fail. Thanks for your time

asked by: Chris W

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller # TK90160 that you referenced is compatible only with electric trailer brakes; it will not work with electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake systems. A better option for such trailers is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885, which will work with both electric and electric-over-hydraulic trailer brakes.

My contact at Tekonsha advised that you should be able to tap directly in to the white wire at the brake light switch without any issues. This white wire connects at the cold side of the brake light switch, which is where you want to obtain your braking signal for the controller. This will connect to the red wire on the controller.

The linked article may also be helpful to you.

expert reply by: Adam R