Bypassing OEM Brake Controller of 2008 Chevy Silverado Recommendation

Updated 09/08/2025 | Published 09/07/2025

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2763)

$159.88

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.89

Question:

2008 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L factory/onboard brake controller. We’re done with the scary “service trailer brake” message. The Tekonsha Primus looks to fit our needs to pull our Sunnybrook TT. Why are there so many models. I’m not finding info as if there is a particular one for our truck. Thanks

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

Hey Mike, I really like the Prodigy P2 part # 90885 for a replacement brake controller for the OEM controller of your 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 as this is the most reliable and best performing brake controller so it will work great for you.

The wires needed to install this controller on your truck are already there under your dash and you will need to wire them directly to the P2.

The wires are located under the dash between the emergency brake and the brake pedal, and the harness will have a white tag wrapped around it. Take a look at the photo I provided.

Pull out the bundle of wires. The red/black striped wire in the harness connects to the black brake controller wire, the white wire in the harness connects to the while brake controller wire, the light blue wire in the harness connects to the red controller wire. For the blue brake controller wire that carries the output from the controller to the trailer connector, you'll need to run your own wire to the rear of the truck to bypass the factory wire that's already existing. Get a length of # 10-1-1 wire, and connect one end to the blue brake controller wire. Route that wire through the firewall and under the vehicle to the trailer connector at the rear. Be sure to avoid anything moving like steering and suspension components and anything hot like exhaust manifold/piping and catalytic converter. Locate the blue wire exiting the rear of the trailer connector at the rear bumper, and cut it then attach the wire you ran from the brake controller.

This process is described in the linked article, which also discusses some connections that might need to be made at the fuse box under the hood.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Mike

9/8/2025

Thank you. I’ll look the P2 up.

Jameson C.

9/8/2025

@Mike I think you'd really like it! It's been the gold standard for brake controllers for quite some time now for good reason.

Mike

9/8/2025

I hit the send too quickly. Will the message “service trailer brake” continue after the P2 install.

Jameson C.

9/8/2025

@Mike once your OEM brake controller is successfully bypassed it will go away.

Mike

9/8/2025

Earliest delivery posted is Oct 16th. Why so far out?

Jameson C.

9/8/2025

@Mike I didn't realize it was back ordered sorry about that. I would instead go with the Redarc Tow Pro Liberty part # RED52VR. The Primus is also backordered looks like.