I had a guy install an electric braking system in my work van a few months ago to pull a trailer... when I hooked the trailer up the control module instally got real hot.... so someone else had to tow the trailer... I did not feel like calling the guy and let it slide for a while... this past weekend I ordered another control module.. the same as got cooked.... when I check the wiring I discovered the wire to the brake switch and the battery were reversed..... All the work on these things is running the wires.... So I fixed this with the new module... but here is the other issue... there is another insert in with the instructions that says on Ford Vans from 1995 to 2005 one of the wires from the break control switch runs to ground when the peddle is not pushed... there are only two wires running to my peddle switch.. one is always hot (positive) and the other is hot positive when the peddle is pushed in but shows continuity to ground when the peddle is not pressed.... am I going to cook another module if I hook up a trailer with electric brakes... and what the heck is going on here?

I don't have an answer for you but I can at least help the folks who might: what is the year/make/model of the van? I'm going to infer that it's a Ford and somewhere between 1999 and 2005 based on your mention of the leaflet.

That said, my spitball question based on electronics tinkering experience is this: did the installer have to put a relay in? Is it possible they mixed up the two wires? Gut says you're probably not going to fry another controller, but you might have brakes active on the trailer (somewhat ironically) until you step on the brakes.

But then, there's more than one reason I didn't become a mechanic.

I am not familiar with your vehicle, but I usually look to etrailer.com for my towing questions and parts. They are very knowledgeable and have install videos on practically everything they offer. Enter your vehicle and search.

Thanks guys... I'll look at the e-trailer place.
I meant to mention it is a 2008 ford van....

One of my gripes about how the guy did this is he actually did not put a reset relay in or a fuze even and then spliced and changed the color of the wires before they go through the firewall.

Member "ensigmatic" gave me an instant karma of a controller when I need one last Oct.

Several YouTube videos later I knew exactly how to wire it up, non matching wire colors and all before it even arrived.

You tube might help.

As far as the wire color change he probably had to extend them and used what he had. I had to do that as well. I drew a conversion chart list to keep down confusion.

Also have to calibrate it.

You should have the instructions and wiring diagram...

Best of luck getting it working.