Troubleshooting a Factory Brake Controller in a 2008 Chevy Silverado

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Question:

On my 2008 Silverado, I get an error message telling me to service trailer brakes even when I dont have my trailer hooked up.And the brakes dont work when it is hooked up?

asked by: Charlie

0

Expert Reply:

Sounds like the factory integrated brake controller on your 2008 Chevy Silverado is having some type of issue. Either there is a problem with the wiring of it or the controller itself is bad.

Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly also then the problem is farther back either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.

If either the brake pedal or the manual slide are not functioning properly you will need to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure you have power entering the brake controller on the black wire. On the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed.

If there is power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed you have connected the red wire from the brake controller to the wrong circuit. You would then need to find the brake switch wire that has power ONLY when the brake pedal is activated.

If these connections check out and the brake controller is properly grounded then there is possibly a problem inside the brake controller.

I am including a link to a video that will show you how to test the wiring on a brake controller.

If you are unable to test these wires your best option would be to take your truck to your local Chevy dealer and have them diagnose the problem.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

We have exactly what you are looking for, part #PK11893-11932. This harness would plug inline with the existing trailer connector, and would allow you to retain the use of the connector on the bumper once the connector in the bed is installed. To…

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Answer 2

The extended notation you have mentioned for the Lippert 1621 5th Wheel Pin Box part #LC1387883 is in regards to the style. This is also know as the "long" style and there are several other pin boxes with this style that have…

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Answer 3

Sometimes the fuses are already installed from the factory, but if not the fuse slots are in the front of the box. I have attached a picture that shows the location of fuse slots. I have also linked a video installation of a brake controller on a…

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Answer 4

Sometimes the fuses are already installed from the factory on a 2008 Chevy Silverado when installing a brake controller, but if not the fuse slots are in the front of the box. I have attached a picture that shows the location of fuse slots. I have…

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Answer 5

To determine why you do not have any power on the blue brake output wire, I recommend starting at your brake controller. First, make sure the brake controller is on and receiving power. Most brake controllers have 4 wires, blue (brake output to…

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Answer 6

If the integrated brake controller on your 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 is not recognizing when a trailer is connected, then that could indicate damage to the brake output wire or the connector on the truck itself. It could also be the trailer. To…

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Answer 7

The best brake controller for your 2008 Chevy Silverado is going to be the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Trailer Brake Controller item #RED24FR. This is a proportional brake controller that automatically adjusts your trailer's braking based on the…

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Answer 8

Fortunately, GM eliminated the need for the Wiring Adapter with the 2007 model year new body style trucks. The brake controller would attach directly to the existing tow package wires located under the dash. The tow package harness is located to the…

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Answer 9

According to the owner's manual for a 2015 GMC Sierra, the "Service Trailer Brake System" error message can appear on models equipped with the factory integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC) and represents a problem in the trailer…

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Answer 10

The Draw-Tite Activator IV #5504 will work with a wiring harness adapter like part #20127, for your 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. This means you will need to splice into the brake controller wiring under the driver's side dash in order to install the…

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Answer 11

There isn't anything like an autonomous controller that would step up if the factory controller fails. I'd simply bypass the existing factory brake controller. The GM ITBC, although it works better now than the earlier models has been…

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Answer 12

On a factory 7-Way connector the 12 volt hot wire should be the terminal at the 1 oclock position, looking at the front of the connector. If you test that terminal with a circuit tester and have no power you will want to check under the hood of your…

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Troubleshooting a Factory Brake Controller in a 2008 Chevy Silverado

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