I need to ask this question as I'm trying to install my brake controller on my truck. I have a Bully brake controller that I bought from JC Whitney and it has four wires. 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Black and 1 Yellow. The quick connect harnest that I also bought which is already connected to the area under the steering wheel areas per the instruction said to install. That also has four wires. 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Black and one White.. My question is which wire should connect to which wires. I tried red on red, Blue on blue, black on black and also yellow on white and but when i connected it smoke came out of the unit right aways so i unplugged it instantly. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry but I'm not saavy when it comes to wiring. Thanks in advance.

if smoke cam out of the unit throw it away as it is now bad. Get a new controller and hook up the wires acording to the pinout. If your that bad with wires take the new controler and factory harness to a trailor place and let em wire it for you.

I still need anyones help with the wiring. So if you can tell me what I need to know I'd appreciated.

The factory plugin has 5 wires:
12v +
Ground
Stoplamp
Output to trailer
Lighting (not used)

The factory plug had them labeled, but a test lamp can help you narrow them down.

heymcall told you the right wires im telling you that if smoke came out fo your brake controller it is no good any more.
Smoke means burnt electronics and no workie. If you do manage to get it wired right but the controller is burnt you can do more dammage to the truck.
But hey what do i know im just a diesel driving hillbilly with more electronics than the space shuttle in my truck

But hey what do i know im just a diesel driving hillbilly with more electronics than the space shuttle in my truckAt least your truck truck wasn't built by the lowest bidder, like the space shuttle. BTW, whatcha got in your truck that we ain't got?


As for the controller, I'm positive his current controller is cooked. After obtaining another controller, read post #4 here and follow http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238786&highlight=brake+controller+plug. The link is currently down, but I'm sure it'll be back up:rolleyes:.

At least your truck truck wasn't built by the lowest bidder, like the space shuttle. BTW, whatcha got in your truck that we ain't got?


As for the controller, I'm positive his current controller is cooked. After obtaining another controller, read post #4 here and follow http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238786&highlight=brake+controller+plug. The link is currently down, but I'm sure it'll be back up:rolleyes:.

trying not to threadjack here :)

i really do think my truck was built by the lowest bidder:)
and i have a monster sound system, plow,salter,and every electronic dodad to make the pain of traffic easier :) and yes i do all my own installs because when it breaks or smokes itself at 3am in the middle of nowhere i like to be able to fix it!

I'm not questioning your knowledge I just wanted to learn from where i messed up. I tried doing it myself and by me asking i just wanted to know with which wire i messed up with nothing else. I like to learn from a mistake. Nothing else.


heymcall told you the right wires im telling you that if smoke came out fo your brake controller it is no good any more.
Smoke means burnt electronics and no workie. If you do manage to get it wired right but the controller is burnt you can do more dammage to the truck.
But hey what do i know im just a diesel driving hillbilly with more electronics than the space shuttle in my truck

With all the brake controllers I've installed, I've noticed a few differences in wiring color.

As a rule, brake controllers use WHITE for a ground, whereas the the truck ground is typically BLACK.
The 12v power wire on the controller is typically BLACK whereas the 12v in the truck is typically RED.
The stoplamp wire on the controller is typically RED wheras the stoplamp wire on the truck is typically WHITE.
The BLUE wire is typically output to the trailer on both the controller and the truck.
Hope that helps.

I see i really messed it up I should have just taken it to someone that knew what they were doing. I guess I've learned a $65.00 dollar lession.

I see i really messed it up I should have just taken it to someone that knew what they were doing. I guess I've learned a $65.00 dollar lession.
I think we all make mistakes. BTW, since the controller was wired wrong, double check to confirm that you have Brakelights on your truck. The stoplamp fuse is a 10amp, IIRC.

And, you don't have to take it somewhere. Just start a new thread or continue this one.
And, when in doubt, ask for help here on DP. IMHO, the only stupid question is the one not asked.

I hadn't thought about checking brake lights afterwards. I better check next time I'm in my truck before I go and get a ticket on top of that. Thanks once again.

I hadn't thought about checking brake lights afterwards. I better check next time I'm in my truck before I go and get a ticket on top of that. Thanks once again.I'd be more worried about getting rear-ended than a ticket.

red is input from brakeswitch at pedal, cold side
blk is main power input for brake controller
blue is output to the plug on the back of the truck
wht is ground, make sure its a good ground, large grounding ring soldered to the wire and nut & bolt it to a heavy metal bracket under the dash, unless its in the facory harness.