Why GM? Why?!!!

[poppin_fresh]

I went to move my brake controller from my 2012 Chevrolet Traverse to my new Silverado for our first trip tomorrow. I figured it would be a simple matter of unplug, mount and replug.

Nope! The plug on the harness is completely different! Had to cut the wires and re-splice into the harness that came with the truck.

Granted it wasn't hard to do, but I was only mentally prepared for half that much work. 🙂

[bfourman]

mleekamp wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I had this happen...our 01 Chevy was wrecked, got a new 02, and plugged right in. Problem was, NO TRAILER BRAKES!!!! Had to pay $60 at a dealer for the new harness. I still curse that.

Same thing going from our 02 Avalanche to our 00 Yukon XL 2500. Everything worked except the trailer brake signal. $12 on Amazon for a new harness from Tekonsha, but it was a pain to use the manual slider for brakes on every stop on that first trip.

[deltabravo]

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I remember that debacle!!

I think they eventually changed the pigtail connector color to easily distinguish which pigtail was meant for which year truck.

[ScottG]

DirtyOil wrote:

ScottG wrote:


While we're at it, why do Ford and Dodge think I want the headlights to come on just because I open the door? How many customers wanted that?

Sell that 03 and get a new Ram Scott... you can turn those headlights off in the settings. :B

My "old 03 doesn't do it but I noticed the new ones do. So that's it, I'm never selling my 03 😉

[DirtyOil]

ScottG wrote:


While we're at it, why do Ford and Dodge think I want the headlights to come on just because I open the door? How many customers wanted that?

Sell that 03 and get a new Ram Scott... you can turn those headlights off in the settings. :B

[bucky]

There was one change made that if you used the prior model harness, if you turned the headlights on it applied the brakes. They had reversed 2 pins for whatever reason. There is a bunch of Latin about all this, but I'd be preaching to the choir.

[mich800]

mleekamp wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I had this happen...our 01 Chevy was wrecked, got a new 02, and plugged right in. Problem was, NO TRAILER BRAKES!!!! Had to pay $60 at a dealer for the new harness. I still curse that.

If it was the same plug why couldn't they or you just change the pin locations.

[BenK]

Because they can and their customers will continue to purchase new models...

But...over on the commercial/industrial side...they keep their revisions
backwardly compatible as much as possible...because those customers typically
will NOT purchase again...or delay purchase until there is a significant
benefit

Mainly because commercial/industrial keep their equipment for decades or
longer. So spare parts and replacement part interchangeability a critical
decision point

The philosophy of Corporate parts bin and compatibility is getting lost
with the new designers & their management.

They even used to include the pig-tail harness. but no more

The whole vehicle harness still (that I know of) has the tow/trailer
wires 'n there' and am expecting the OEMs to remove that as a cost
savings thing all too soon...as the percentage towing is very, very
small...and...the OEMs can then make money from those who then purchase
the tow harness(s)

Can also see the 7 pin connector change with more connections. That
will be when there is a complimentary computer/sensors/etc on the
trailer. Mainly a strain gauge for the computer to know if over loaded
or not...

[Campfire_Time]

At least up until 2013 there were multiple tow packages. Mine has the tow package but not the HD tow package, which came with the integrated controller. The basic tow package has a transmission cooler, the G80 locker rear end, and 7 pin connector. With GM, you have to look up the RPO codes in your glove box to find all the options and option packages you have.

[mleekamp]

My 2012 GMC has tow package...and the brake controller was an option. If I had ordered the truck it would have had it...but I purposely bought an end of the year special and was stuck with whatever color / options it had. The key for me was towing pkg ... w or w/o controller.

[Iraqvet05]

pappcam wrote:

Your new Silverado doesn't have an integrated brake controller? I thought all new trucks with towing packages came with them.

My dad bought a new Silverado 1500 a few years ago and it had the "tow package". I looked up the PRO codes and sure enough, the tow package was in there but I believe all the standard tow package consists of is the 7 pin harness and a receiver. I guess an integrated brake controller in an option even with the tow package on some GMs.

[mleekamp]

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I had this happen...our 01 Chevy was wrecked, got a new 02, and plugged right in. Problem was, NO TRAILER BRAKES!!!! Had to pay $60 at a dealer for the new harness. I still curse that.

[LarryJM]

kaydeejay wrote:
Probably because the Crossover design group didn't talk to the pickup truck design group!

You make a very important, but subtle comment and often those are separate "Profit Centers" and are basically companies within the "COMPANY" and there is little bottom line gains to be made by one or the other paying or both splitting the cost of any cross design group coordination.

Larry

[3oaks]

kaydeejay wrote:
Probably because the Crossover design group didn't talk to the pickup truck design group!

And customers purchase the vehicles anyway, whether they want those particular features or not.

[BurbMan]

They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.