Forum Discussion

b_pilot's avatar
b_pilot
Explorer
May 31, 2015

Integrated Brake Controller

I have a 2013 GMC duramax with an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller. A couple of days ago I hooked up my 5th wheel and the controller would not put out a signal to the brakes. The readout looks normal and I can change the gain settings but when I apply brakes there is no output. Anybody with a similar system have a guess as to what might be wrong? I don't have any error messages on the Driver Information Center. I am taking it to a dealer in the morning but just curious as to whether anyone else has had a problem with this type of controller.
  • RoyB wrote:
    My OEM 2010 FORD BRAKE CONTROLLER will not send BRAKE DC CONTROL VOLTAGE to the brake magnets using the brake pedal unless you are doing around 10MPH. It is tied into the trucks computer big time I guess...

    When stopped at a stop sign pushing in on the brake pedal does nothing for me holding the trailer in place. I have to reach down and hold the trailer brakes on using the slide switch.

    Using the slider switch it works at all times.

    Roy Ken


    the DIC readout on my 2015 GMC sierra shows voltage going to the trailer brakes even when stopped if the brake pedal is depressed or if the automatic "hill holder" is engaged. the voltage is dependent on how far the brake pedal is depressed.

    but, using the manual control also works at all times.
  • I am the original poster. I took my truck into the dealer this morning. Using the factory installed 7 pin plug on the bumper of the truck, they could not find anything wrong with the brake controller. There were no error codes and they said that the controller was giving output when the brake pedal was depressed. I always use the plug in the bed of the truck that was installed when I had the hitch installed. The dealer would not check that plug since they didn't install it. I never thought of trying the plug on the bumper since I always have a adaptor for my utility trailer plugged into it. Since the plug in the bed of the truck is in parallel with the factory installed plug, you would think it should work also unless somehow that plug has something broken inside. I am going to pick up my trailer in the morning so I will find out if I have a bad plug. My gut says that something else is wrong but I hope my gut feeling is wrong.
  • therink wrote:
    The first thing I would do, using a voltage meter check the 7 pin connector on rear of truck for voltage output when applying the brakes. Should be 12 +/- volts when brake pedal is applied.
    If you have voltage there then the problem is somewhere in the trailer.


    With no trailer hooked up, the truck senses that there's no trailer there and probably won't send a signal to the trailer brake circuit.
  • RoyB wrote:
    My OEM 2010 FORD BRAKE CONTROLLER will not send BRAKE DC CONTROL VOLTAGE to the brake magnets using the brake pedal unless you are doing around 10MPH. It is tied into the trucks computer big time I guess...

    When stopped at a stop sign pushing in on the brake pedal does nothing for me holding the trailer in place. I have to reach down and hold the trailer brakes on using the slide switch.

    Using the slider switch it works at all times.

    Roy Ken


    I agree. The slide switch is the best way to test the circuit.
  • Had that problem twice. Once the fuse dedicated the brake was blown. The second time had a bad wire under thru trailer.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My OEM 2010 FORD BRAKE CONTROLLER will not send BRAKE DC CONTROL VOLTAGE to the brake magnets using the brake pedal unless you are doing around 10MPH. It is tied into the trucks computer big time I guess...

    When stopped at a stop sign pushing in on the brake pedal does nothing for me holding the trailer in place. I have to reach down and hold the trailer brakes on using the slide switch.

    Using the slider switch it works at all times.

    Roy Ken
  • Which pin would be appropriate for the brakes? All of the trailer lights work including the brake lights when I apply the brakes.
  • The first thing I would do, using a voltage meter check the 7 pin connector on rear of truck for voltage output when applying the brakes. Should be 12 +/- volts when brake pedal is applied.
    If you have voltage there then the problem is somewhere in the trailer.