Troubleshooting "Check Trailer Wiring Message on Dash of 2018 Chevy Silverado
Question:
Ok, here we go. Its a 2002 Sundowner three horse with living quarters. Twin 7000K axles with electric brakes. We bought a 2008 Ford dually, connected up with no problems. A 2012 GMC had no problems. A 2013 Chevy dually no problems. A 2017 Ram no problems. Purchased a new Chevy dually one ton 2018 connected up the harness plug and bam, bells go off dash says check trailer wiring. But all the lights work, charges batteries and brakes work. Took truck to service, they had it 5 times checking chassis harness modules, brake modules and replaced pigtails in rear of truck. Get back home, hook up trailer and bam, check trailer wiring. So we checked the trailer wiring, spent $300 to have a professional trailer service come out. He said all is good. So I decided to jack up the trailer while hooked up to truck to check brakes. Checked each wheel, magnet, wires, bearing and brake pads and springs. Every thing looks great and all the magnets work like they should. The trailer has a white ground wire from truck to trailer. We installed a white jumper ground from truck to trailer. We installed new batteries. After looking at all the brakes while jacked up on the last wheel, right front axle, spinning the wheel and test brake, my wife said the check trailer wire bell and light came on. So maybe a magnet with too many ohms? Please help.
asked by: Michael M
Expert Reply:
It sounds like you have done some pretty thorough troubleshooting, both on your new 2018 Silverado and the trailer, pretty much ruling out just about any potential cause for the issue you're having. You mentioned that the dash lights go off on the Silverado and it states to check the trailer wiring, but it sounds like everything as far as function goes (lights, brakes, 12V) is working perfectly on the trailer when connected.
Although it's technically possible that something is going on with the trailer side, it seems like the issue is most likely on the truck itself, since you were able to connect the trailer to a variety of other trucks without issue. I recommend taking a look at the 7-Way itself on the truck. Check to see if you notice any bent pins inside the connector, or any debris/dirt that might be preventing a good connection with the trailer connector, fixing/cleaning as needed. This is something that the dealer may have missed during their inspection.
In my research I also found that in some similar cases to yours, the "Check Trailer Wiring" will come on as soon as a trailer is connected, but will then go away after about 10 seconds. I recommend staying connected to the trailer to see if the light remains on or even taking the trailer out for a short drive around the neighborhood to see how it behaves.
Please let me know if you continue to have issues and we can troubleshoot further.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Continue Researching
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Trailer Running Lights Do Not Work but Brake Lights and Turn Signals Do Work
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Article: Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations
- Q&A: How to Make an Adapter to Go from Semi Truck 7-Way Round to RV Style 7-Way Blade on Trailer
- Article: Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installations
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: Trailer Turn Signals Both Blink when Just Left Turn Signal is Activated
- Q&A: Will The Curt Dinghy Wire Harness # C96JR Interfere With Activation Of A Blue Ox Patriot
- Q&A: Troubleshooting No Running Lights on Trailer but Turn Signals and Brake Lights Work
- Q&A: Checking Trailer Lights Without Hooking Up to Vehicle?
- Q&A: Trailer Lights Left Side Turn Signal and Brake Lights Not Working