Troubleshooting Factory Trailer Brake Controller on 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Question

Question:

I think the problem is with my truck.When i test the brake pin at the back of the truck there is only split seconds were my test light will light up with the brake pedal on. The truck is a 2008 chevy silverado 2500HD with a factory controler.

asked by: Charles G

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

With a proportional type trailer brake controller like better aftermarket units such as the P3 # 90195 and most factory units there will be no output with the vehicle at rest unless you press the manual override lever. Pressing the brake pedal with the vehicle stationary will not produce an output signal for the trailer brakes since the controller's internal sensor will not detect movement. It is the actual motion of the vehicle that triggers the proportional signal.

If you press the manual override lever and still get no brake output at your 7-way then your controller is likely to be damaged and can be replaced with the P3 or the P2 # 90885. Please refer to the linked article for more on replacing the factory controller.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Doug

7/25/2020

2008 silverado HD I know my problem is in the truck, dash will say SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLL SYSTEM and ABS light comes on, with or without a trailer hocked up. I done trying to fix it. If I install Prodigy P3 will above mentioned warnings go away or do I need to do something else besides disconnect factory controller? Thx

Reply

Chris R.

7/30/2020

It's possible that you may need to have the truck flashed at the dealer to recognize the new controller once it's plugged in. This kind of thing is little "hit and miss" so it's hard for me to say for sure. I do know there are some aftermarket controllers available, such as the Curt Echo # C51180, that will completely bypass the factory brake controller wiring so it definitely would not require any trips to the dealer or any other modifications.

Reply

Answer 1

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…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The pressure in the airbag of the #UF35-946215 Trailair Pin Box can range from 20 to 120 psi depending on your situation. Once the pin box is installed, hitch the trailer to the tow vehicle on level ground. There is a sticker on the front of the…

view full answer...

Answer 3

For your 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 I recommend the Redarc Tow Pro Elite #RED63RR. You can use it along with the Plug in Adapter #3064-P for a plug and play install, since you already have the factory tow package. The Redarc controller is going to be…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Lippert removed the old sticker gauge from their Trailair Air Ride pin boxes #LC158778 because they were receiving a lot of complaints about it not matching up with the smoothest ride depending on the trailer. Since the pressure needed for the air…

view full answer...

Answer 5

We have the best luck with the Prodigy P3 #90195 and P2 part #90885. There isn't a controller out there more reliable and better performing that these. The Curt Triflex part #C24VV isn't a bad controller but it's just not quite the same.…

view full answer...

Answer 6

You certainly can bypass the factory brake controller on your 2014 Chevy Silverado 3500. If you just unplugged the factory controller it will cause an error light to display on the dash. But it is easy to bypass the factory controller and not get…

view full answer...

Answer 7

If you bypass the factory brake controller in your 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD properly you would not have any error codes appear on the dash display. You also would not have to have the computer of the truck reprogrammed in any way which means you…

view full answer...

Answer 8

You can easily install an aftermarket controller in your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 that is compatible with your trailer's electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brakes. The linked article illustrates the process of wiring in a EOH-compatible…

view full answer...

Answer 9

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

view full answer...

Answer 11

It sounds like you could have a set of standard fifth wheel rails that most manufacturers use for their fifth wheel hitches to install into. The different manufacturers all make their own brand of rail kit, but they all have basically the same…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Yes, the puck system used on the 2016-2019 Chevy/GMC trucks is different than the pucks used on the 2020 and newer trucks. So you would need a 5th wheel like the B&W Companion #BWRVK3710 for your 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 with an 8' Bed. If you…

view full answer...

Troubleshooting Factory Trailer Brake Controller on 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching