Service Trailer Brakes

[GM The one]

Oscar Gomez.  

My situation is like yours.  Battery was dead this morning and I boosted vehicle.   I Ran truck for about 10 minutes.  Shut it off and it restarted but I could tell it was ragging a little bit.  Drove 200 km.  Shut truck off for about two hours.  Turned key and it barely started.  It was then that the  "service trailer brake system" warning showed up.   Turned truck off to see if it would reset.  Turned key on and it barely started.  Drove about 20 minutes.  Shut truck off and tried to restart about 10 minutes later and battery completely dead.  Dismissed the warning.

 

Drove home 200km and checked voltage for the last two hours to see if there was a drain.  No drain evident on battery.  Started truck after 2 hours and started no problem what so ever.  Also noticed that the "service trailer brake system"  warning did not appear when truck started at this point.

 

I have read the module can be problematic but you are the only one I have seen with battery related issue.  I would normally suspect a short in the wiring system somewhere but have to wonder if it is the module by the rear tire.  It could be shorting at that location.

 

Did you solve your problem?

[Beer Belly]

My dealer diagnosed the Brake Controller in the dash. Bought from Rock Auto and replaced myself in 15 minutes, seems to be fine now

[Alexquade]

After a few months, it started coming back amongst other electrical issues. I had the same problem GM the one was having with a dead battery. Replaced the battery and so far, no problems whatsoever. I was getting the HIDs flickering when turning, the steering wheel getting really hard to turn at low speeds, other things cutting out, then finally a dead battery like I was having a drain. Changed it and everything is fine!

[jim connelly]

I am having the dead battery issue with the service trailer light on. 2017 GMC 39K miles. My next truck will be a Toyota. I will keep you posted. I am starting with the battery since it is the original.

Edited July 18, 2021 by jim connelly

[rjames74c]

OK... So I've been having this issue.  Every video I've watched so far; the alarm rings over and over during a single trip.  For me, it shows me 1 time at start-up and never again until the next time I start it.  I've checked fuses, replace the module in cab and the  plug in connecter at the rear of the truck.  My next best guess is the Control Module above the spare tire unless anyone has any other suggestions. (2016 Silverado 1500 SLT)

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by rjames74c
Added vehicle make/model

[Beer Belly]

On 6/7/2023 at 6:17 PM, rjames74c said:

OK... So I've been having this issue.  Every video I've watched so far; the alarm rings over and over during a single trip.  For me, it shows me 1 time at start-up and never again until the next time I start it.  I've checked fuses, replace the module in cab and the  plug in connecter at the rear of the truck.  My next best guess is the Control Module above the spare tire unless anyone has any other suggestions. (2016 Silverado 1500 SLT)

 

Seems like you've done all the items I've heard about. I got lucky, and quick swap with a new Brake Controller and done. Keep us up do date with what you find, may help others. TIA

[Johnny3Sticks]

My 2018 Chevrolet 3500HD is doing this. I took it to the local parts house to have the batteries tested (it wouldn’t start without a jump one morning - three hour drive from home after an overnight job), and one (the auxiliary) tested bad, so I replaced it, but the error still comes up, repeatedly and driving me crazy. I’m about to dive into the wiring from stem to stern if I have to. 

[GMCustomerService]

On 7/13/2023 at 8:59 AM, Johnny3Sticks said:

My 2018 Chevrolet 3500HD is doing this. I took it to the local parts house to have the batteries tested (it wouldn’t start without a jump one morning - three hour drive from home after an overnight job), and one (the auxiliary) tested bad, so I replaced it, but the error still comes up, repeatedly and driving me crazy. I’m about to dive into the wiring from stem to stern if I have to. 

This is certainly not what we like to hear, Johnny3Sticks.  Please know, customer satisfaction is extremely important to us. Our team would be more than happy to take a closer look into the concerns with your Service Trailer Brakes on your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado. To do so, please send an email to [email protected] with ATTN: Johnny3Sticks/GM Trucks in the subject line.

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[mikeyk101]

@GMCustomerService comes to the rescue again!!! Thanks for another beautiful cut and paste response!!!

[newdude]

On 7/13/2023 at 8:59 AM, Johnny3Sticks said:

My 2018 Chevrolet 3500HD is doing this. I took it to the local parts house to have the batteries tested (it wouldn’t start without a jump one morning - three hour drive from home after an overnight job), and one (the auxiliary) tested bad, so I replaced it, but the error still comes up, repeatedly and driving me crazy. I’m about to dive into the wiring from stem to stern if I have to. 

 

 

Service trailer message is caused from one of 3 things typically.  Most common is the switch control in the dash.  Next is the trailer brake control module that's at the rear of the truck, above the spare tire.  Third is the trailer receptacle.  

 

The system does set codes as well.

 

The batteries were never the cause of your trailer brake warning.  

[Paul Geeson]

On 7/19/2023 at 9:16 PM, newdude said:

 

 

Service trailer message is caused from one of 3 things typically.  Most common is the switch control in the dash.  Next is the trailer brake control module that's at the rear of the truck, above the spare tire.  Third is the trailer receptacle.  

 

The system does set codes as well.

 

The batteries were never the cause of your trailer brake warning.  

I’ve had this issue before and replaced the controller in the dash.  That fixed the issue, fast forward two years and it’s back”service trailer brake” so I replaced the controller again NOPE wasn’t the problem.  Changed the module under the spare tire NOPE and now the winch won’t lift the tire back up.  Do you really think it’s the receptacle?  I’m annoyed 

[Joe DeGraeve]

On 6/7/2023 at 6:17 PM, rjames74c said:

OK... So I've been having this issue.  Every video I've watched so far; the alarm rings over and over during a single trip.  For me, it shows me 1 time at start-up and never again until the next time I start it.  I've checked fuses, replace the module in cab and the  plug in connecter at the rear of the truck.  My next best guess is the Control Module above the spare tire unless anyone has any other suggestions. (2016 Silverado 1500 SLT)

 

I'm experiencing this exact issue. I've replaced the control module in the dash. No luck. Did the replacement of the connection at the rear of the truck work? Or did you have to go above the spare?

[ember1205]

This may not actually be related at all, and I don't have the wiring diagrams to even BEGIN to try and determine if it is... But...

 

On my 2015, I was experiencing this and it was always at its most irritating in high temps and low temps. If outside temps went down into maybe the low teens or below, it would appear. If the temps were in the 80's and higher, and the truck had been parked in the sun (dark gray), it would do this AT LEAST until I drove it a while and got the temp of the truck's sheet metal to drop a bit.

 

What I found a little while later was that I developed the leak at the third brake light in the back of the cab that's fairly common - it presents itself as water staining on the headliner starting at the back of the cab. When I pulled the brake light assembly to replace the gasket, I found that the assembly was actually full of water. After thoroughly shaking the water out of it and putting it all back together, this message went away.

[Joe DeGraeve]

48 minutes ago, ember1205 said:

This may not actually be related at all, and I don't have the wiring diagrams to even BEGIN to try and determine if it is... But...

 

On my 2015, I was experiencing this and it was always at its most irritating in high temps and low temps. If outside temps went down into maybe the low teens or below, it would appear. If the temps were in the 80's and higher, and the truck had been parked in the sun (dark gray), it would do this AT LEAST until I drove it a while and got the temp of the truck's sheet metal to drop a bit.

 

What I found a little while later was that I developed the leak at the third brake light in the back of the cab that's fairly common - it presents itself as water staining on the headliner starting at the back of the cab. When I pulled the brake light assembly to replace the gasket, I found that the assembly was actually full of water. After thoroughly shaking the water out of it and putting it all back together, this message went away.

Interesting. I'll take a look. It seems as if it does act up when really cold and/or snowy (upstate NY). Would never had considered this. Thanks, I'll let you know.