Help: Brake Control Connector 2002 Montana

Hello all,
I have just purchased a used 2003 Cub and plan on towing it with my 2002 Montana.
The montana has the towing package and I have found the 6 pin connector behind the rear driver's side wheel well.
I want to install a brake control but I am having trouble finding the "Brake Control Connector" referenced in the instructions.
Does anyone know specifically where it is in a 2002 montana and what it looks like?
Thanks
Dave

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For many GM vehicles with towing rate "under" 3,500 lbs, their "factory" towing package often means "beefed up" rear suspension and rear signal/tail/brake lights only. They don't come pre-wired for a "plug in" brake controller. And many times, the vehicle doesn't even include a class III hitch. Thus, I'd call it a factory "hauling package" more then a "towing package".

For my 2009 Monatan van, I installed my own rear signal wiring, my own "beef up" rear suspesnion, my own Transmission Aux cooler, my own Class III hitch and my own Brake Controller. re: Husky Escusion Brake Controller. For my van's brake controller install, I installed 10 guage wire under the vehicle. And for my vehicle's year, I had to connect the brake controller's "activation" wire to my vehicle's BCM-Pin 30 (white wire) - not onto its brake peddle wiring (as shown in many instructions). Before installing your specific brake controller, do contact the Brake Controller's Tech Support team. Your Brake Controller Tech support team will advise if you need to splice their BC's "activation" wire into the vehicle's `brake peddle` wiring, or into its BCM (vehicle's computer) as well. Hopefully, they have a Web Site and it shows their Tech Support team contact details.

For wiring install, I followed most of the instructions located within: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-brake-controller-installation-from-scratch.aspx

For pictures of my Towing / Trailering upgrades on my 2009 Montana van, surf many pictures within: http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Montana%20Van/?start=all

For GM mini-vans, I'd also recommend the install an aux tranny cooler as well. The model I installed is detailed at: http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/OC-1678.html Also shown at: http://www.etrailer.com/pc-TRAN~HH41311.htm As per my local transmission specialist, one should always install slightly larger tranny cooler then a vehicle needs. For example, up to 5,000 lbs trailer instead of 3,500 lbs trailer - if the tranny cooler is the most front rad on the vehicle (like on my 09 Montana van)

Hope this helps within your Brake controller and other towing parts install...

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Good information thanks spike88.
My van does apparently have the upgraded tranny cooler and the gm 6 pin wiring harness has been run to the back of the van, but no hitch.
GM sells a 6 to 7 pin adapter that is supposed to give me everything I need out back.
As well there is supposedly a plug under the dash driver side that is pre wired for the brake controller but that is what I haven't been able to find yet.

When I had my 2000 Silo, I had to add all the necessary parts to make it 'a heavy duty towing package'. This meant wiring everything from scratch but the van did not come with the BC plug-in adapter .

I have an '02 Tahoe for pulling my travel trailer and it is fully equipped and also has the pin connector mounted next to your left foot against the firewall.

I use a Prodigy BC but it never came with the adapter plug-in harness, so that I had to buy.

Hi Davescar,

Just wondering how you are doing in your Brake Controller install research???

If still researching...... Then perhaps "Before installing your specific brake controller, do contact the Brake Controller's Tech Support team. Your Brake Controller Tech support team will advise if you need to splice their BC's "activation" wire into the vehicle's `brake peddle` wiring, or into its BCM (vehicle's computer) as well. Hopefully, they have a Web Site and it shows their Tech Support team contact details.".

Hope re-emphasizing this tips helps as well...

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Hi Spike88,
Thanks for the advice.
It is a Hopkins controller and the manual seems to be pretty clear(at least on this) that it should hook up to the wire from the brake pedal.
It is the model 47225 and looks pretty straight forward.
I haven't hooked it up yet, but that is mainly cause I am still peeved with GM for selling it with a trailer package that really sorta sucks.
I am going to have to get over it soon though as we want to get away this weekend.

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Hi Davescar,

If your van has a TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) Gas Peddle (like my van), do NOT connect the brake controller switch wire onto its brake pedal wire. Your brake controller must be connected a different method (like onto its BCM). If your van has a brake pedal with a "real" throttle cable, then probe out each brake pedal switch wire - before connecting onto it. Or, simply email your brake controller company and they will confirm "exactly" how to connect their brake controller on your vehicle. If wondering, my brake controller is Husky Excusion and its provided instructions stated to "tap" into vehicles brake pedal wire. Generic instructions made for majority of generic vehicles. I emailed Husky to confirm and they told me NOT to follow their provided instructions. My van is different - and they gave me the correct instructions to use (for my specific van). With this in mind, do email your Brake Controller company for wiring install confirmation as well. Email information is free. Installing a Brake Controller incorrectly is dangerious. Glad I took the time and emailed Husky - for my specific van.

I know what you mean about "towing packages" on vehicles. Still not too sure why they call them "towing packages". To me, a Towing Package comes with a Class III/IV hitch, all base wiring (for simple "plug in" brake controller unit install), etc. etc. To be aligned with reality, one should legally call it a "hauling" package. For my 2009 Montana van, I knew I'd have to install my own aux tranny cooler, my own upgraded rear suspension (since I didn't like GM factory air system), my own wiring, my own hitch, my own 7-pin connector and my own brake controller install (from scratch) items - just like the many other vehicles I've owned. Thus, why I wasn't upset with the additional trailering upgrade item installs in my vehicles (past and current). Like many, I was `expecting` to complete the trailering upgrade items that GM (and other auto makers) fail to do themselves... To me, "hauling package" and "towing package" have huge differences in parts inclusions. Surprised they still call it "towing package" today.

Hope this helps as well....

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