1997 gm c/k pickup brake wire access

I was doing another C/K truck last night- a remote starter install- and what a PITA the brake wire is- I used to unplug the switch and pull the harness down to tap into the white wire-- the one last night would not unplug without pulling the switch out of position...   I finally got smart- was lucky to see the owner had a trailer brake module installed- and I tapped into the brake input wire there-- but what if it did not have that module?  So I was looking at the wiring diagram today-- I see that there is a white brake wire going up the steering column to the 4-way flashers unit-- but the truck is gone now-- My question is- has anybody tapped into this wire- on the column?? -- heck it seems it would be much easier to get to- then at the brake switch-  also it  comes directly from the switch according to the wiring diagram- would be a perfect solution- since you are already in the column to get the ignition wires etc..... Thanks

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Brcidd - Engineer That Does Remote Starter Installs on the side.

Yes there is a white wire in the harness that runs up the steering column. I too struggled with connecting to the brake switch wire for many installs until I discovered this wire location. It has saved a lot of grief over the years. The wire is part of the turn signal switch harness. I believe that the white wire is in the corner of the large connector at the base of the steering column. The connector is made up of three plugs that join together. Two long thin ones on either side of the large middle one. Use a volt meter to confirm you have the correct white wire as there are two small white wires in the harness and only one is connected to the brake circuit.

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sparky

I find it amusing that every wiring diagram I read says get it "at the brake switch" ....yeah right..  sure it works and is a true statement- but why not use the easiest place to get it-- just like they never say to get the passlock wires at the BCM - always at the column-- it is so much easier at the BCM to get horn, locks, dome light, parking light- just depends on the year-yet they still want you to go to the switches.....oh well live and learn- thanks for the confirmation.......

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Brcidd - Engineer That Does Remote Starter Installs on the side.

brcidd,

I agree. I get the feeling that a lot of these tech sheets are just written by some guy at a desk, reading the wiring diagram out of the car manufacturer's service manual.

So far, Astro's AstroChart seems to be the only thing that has consideration for the installer's time.

I second that, Chris.  They clearly don't take into account all the gigantic harnesses(e.g. column, kick panel to rear) that you can find multiple wires in.

I think I've seen one mention of the white brake wire at the column on a 90's GM product, though the vast majority of the vehicles they built have it available there.

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C Renner's Auto Electronix
My service is cheap, quick, and good - pick any two

There are a couple of GM trucks that have the white wire there, but it isn't a brake switch wire. I can't remember which ones, but I ran into one or two years ago. It is always better to use a volt meter to confirm your wires before connecting to them.

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sparky

Yeah that goes without saying - IIRC I've found column harness brake wires on CK trucks, S10 Blazer/Jimmy, Lumina, full-size van and probably at least 2 more. All metered as brake switch as well. I'm not sure where exactly it goes to(maybe to the brake/shift interlock?), but it saves a few mins. on an RS for sure.

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C Renner's Auto Electronix
My service is cheap, quick, and good - pick any two