1970 c20 brake input signal wire for trailer brake controller

[paulbrgr9999]

I am installing a trailer brake controller and wiring in my 1970 c20. Somewhere near the brake petal and steering column there is a wire I tap into so I can wire the controller. Does anyone know what wire that would be? Its color? Do I expose every wire under there until I find the one that sends the brake signal? Can I tap into the fuses to wire the controller?

I searched this forumn and did not find specific information regarding my truck. Can anyone help me out here?

thanks,

paul

[69chevytrucker]

there should be a switch on the brake peddle that opens when you apply the brake i think thats the one your looking for

[john]

There is a pic of the stop light switch in this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418681

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by paulbrgr9999

Does anyone know what wire that would be? Its color?

Welcome Paul!

Once you locate the switch using the pics in the link John posted, you should see 2 wires leading to that switch.

The orange wire is the feed to the switch and it's live all the time. The white wire is the output from the switch and it's only live when the brake pedal is pushed ... this white wire is the one you'll want to tap into for your trailer brake controller.

[paulbrgr9999]

Thanks for all the responses. I included a picture of what I am seeing under the dash above the steering column. As you said there is an orange and white wire coming out of the brake switch. Looks to me like you guys have nailed it. Any suggestions on how best to tap into that white wire? Cut it? Or is there a method avaliable to attach the contoller wire signal feed to that white wire without cutting it?

thanks,

paul

[jjzepplin]

This is what I want to know as well.

[paulbrgr9999]

If I have cut it and splice into it then so be it. But I want to make sure I look at all my options. Lets see what the chevy brain trust comes up with.

[69chevytrucker]

dont cut it strip a little and wrap the wire around and solder it then tape it

[paulbrgr9999]

You make me feel stupid! Your absolutly right! Why cut it when you could strip a little off. Im embarrassed but thanks for the response.

paul

[69chevytrucker]

lol dont feel stupid any time your the one doing the work sometimes you dont always think of the best way to do things thats what these sites are for

[jjzepplin]

Good Idea. I think I will pull my connector out of the plug and just solder a wire to it and the re-insert it in the plug. Reversible if nec.

[paulbrgr9999]

That white wire is probably braided right?

[69chevytrucker]

shouldnt be should be just normal wire

[paulbrgr9999]

Braded was not the best way to describe what I mean. What I mean is that its made up of many small wires surrounded by insulation?

Would it be ok to isolate that white wire from the others and use a flame from a lighter to melt the insulation off? Or might that also melt some of the small wires inside the insulation also?

thanks

[69chevytrucker]

ya you can heat with lighter then pinch with thumb and finger quick and rip insulation away

[paulbrgr9999]

Ok, so now I find out there is a thing called a wire tap connector. But im reading posts that they dont work very well. Sometimes they sever the wire or dont work reliably.

Any opinions on wire tap connectors?

paul

[jjzepplin]

I don't use them. Reviews are right. They look hokey too. Quick fix on the side of the road maybe, but it's a gremlin waiting for a rainy day to pop it's ugly head up and then your brake lights don't work...

[69chevytrucker]

there called scotchlocks and ya they suck they are more so for cheap audio hook ups

[paulbrgr9999]

Ok, ill scap that idea. So now thanks to all you folks I think im ready to finish my brake controller project.

And I dont want to alarm anyone but im also going to wire my 09 ford ranger for the same controller. I can switch the controller out from the chevy to the ranger. Going to pull a small (16 foot) toyhauler.

Thanks to everyone for the help!

paul