Factory Installed Brake Controllers

All IBC's are 'highly integrated' into the TV's computer network and
all of the computers onboard...including after market stuff that is likewise
tied into the TV's network...

The temptation to 'highly integrate' is way to high for the designers
to ignore...used to have to red-line lots of stuff out of their proposed
designs...just because they could...they will use EVERYTHING...

NJRVer wrote:
snip

With the case of GM, the fact that it is connected to the trucks computer is a problem.

But not only GM...ALL OEM's do this...highly integrate IBC's to the
rest of the computers on the TV's network

One little glitch and no trailer brakes.
Check out my post about GM Factory Controller problem.

2011 Suburban Brake controller
But can be any OEM, just one of my first comments on "highly integrated IBC's "

benk wrote:
Posted: 04/15/11 10:34am

This is one reason I don't like too many embedded systems in my vehicles

Vehicle OEMs are experts in vehicles, not trailer brake controllers.
Sure they most often these days out source it, but then they 'highly'
integrate it into the vehicle system

GREAT when it works in concert, but horrible when they don't

I speak with lots of experience in this area...systems/process controls/
automation/computing and general interest in anything automotive...and
while at SunLabs worked with my scientists on the EV's that GM had
requested diagnostics help with their JAVA applications.

Note that very large organizations, even once very creative and forward
looking lose their ability to invent well and quickly. Committee metrics
become the norm and is both stifling and staid. Why 'labs' and 'skunk
works' came to be

The temptation to 'highly integrate' is something all engineers fall
prey to and know this well as have been there done that often both
as a designer and as a manager of design teams.

Have not delved into the specifics of the GM trailer brake controller
other than what I've read here. It is a brake hydraulic sensed controller.
Meaning it the thing that initiates the controller to start the trailer
braking session is the TV's brake system's hydraulic pressure.

Then that the engineers have highly integrated that controller into
the rest of the TV's braking & handling features (systems). Why your
ABS and stability system lights came on.

There needs to be a clear hierarchy (master and then the slaves, where
there are then levels of slaves) all in concert. That is where GM
messed up with their JAVAized EV (electric vehicle). Once that was ID'd
as the culprit and the whole vehicle turned into a network with a
clear master with subordinate levels, all was good.

By removing the fuses, it cleared the 'flag' that was set in the ECU
or whatever controller thought it was master.

Think going back to an independent controller would be a wise thing
and the issue will then be HOW2 turn off the integrated controller,
as the vehicle controller will still think it is active and in control
of the trailer brakes.