Training Brakes and Brake Controller Not Working on a 2008 Chevy Avalanche

Question:

Hello, I have a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ and I just purchased a travel trailer. However, I am having trouble with the brakes. I installed a PILOT brake controller and everything works brake lights, training lights etc.. to the trailer except the brakes. I have checked every wire that connects from the brake controller to the plug and they all seem to be working. When the trailer is connected sometimes the brake numbers will come up but then if I touch the side dial the numbers disappear or flicker and create half a 3 or part of a 4 or something like that. Then I hooked my fathers truck to the trailer and the brakes work fine. Have you every heard of this before? Any help would be wonderful. Thanks!

asked by: Jeff K

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there might be a loose connection on your 2008 Chevy Avalanche. The most likely culprit is a dirty or corroded trailer connector at the back of the truck. Make sure that the truck side trailer connector is clean and free of corrosion inside, where the wires attach, and outside on the pins.

You can also check to make sure that the brake controller # 80550 is connected to the correct tow package wires under the dash and to the left of the steering column. There should have been a white tag that lists the functions. And there may also be some connections that will need to be made under the hood to make everything fully functional.

I have actually included a link to a help article that covers all of this for you including the tow package wiring to brake controller wire functions.

expert reply by: Michael H