Service Trailer Brake System message

It’s not just GMs that have this glitch. But think I’ve seen it more in the ‘14 and ‘16 Chevys I’ve had than others.
It’s never been an issue when I hook up later.
Just test it with your camper first before you actually need the trailer brakes I spose.

Gremlins

The times up meter has run out on your trailer towing module, go to the dealer and give them more money. Probably corroded wiring shorting out somewhere.

Fisherman wrote:
Probably corroded wiring shorting out somewhere.

Start with cleaning and inspecting the trailer connector.

Lynnmor wrote:

Fisherman wrote:
Probably corroded wiring shorting out somewhere.

Start with cleaning and inspecting the trailer connector.

yup. Make sure it is dry and no mud/dirt in it. What I've found is that after rainstorms or a good wash water can enter the connector and cause the service message. Once I blow it dry, message gone.

Agree with all of the above, but FWIW, on my 2009 Silverado my experience was:

- Water gets into the connector for whatever reason and causes the service message
- After drying, it goes away.
- Service message is also triggered if the equipment gets dirt, debris etc along with the water

- However, after a while, the factory controller has just had enough and dies. It can be replaced / fixed but you may want to look into whether your controller can (even if repaired) adequately deal with whatever "modern" trailers you'll be pulling.
- I can't recall too many specifics, but my factory controller (from my 2009 model built in 2008) even when "repaired" wouldn't work with the electric over hydraulic brakes on my new 2018 boat trailer...it was roughly the same cost to get a new P3 installed as it was to get the fix done to the factory controller...so went with new. My 2009 is now my "work" truck and it still shows the "service trailer connector" message, but it's meaningless since the new controller is what's connected to the outlet.

FWIW, I've owned a 2012 Ford, a 2015 Chevy and I currently have a 2017 Ram. I never had any issues with the connector on the Ford or Ram but on the Chevy, I would get "trailer is no longer connected" at some point in my travels every time I towed my RV. I cleaned everything numerous times. Nothing made a difference. I never learned what the issue was but it sure was annoying.

RobWNY, cleaning my 2015 Tahoe did the trick for me. No issues yet on the 2019 Silverado.

You should look at the Duramax forums. Lots of advice on that forum. It is probably not a dirty connector, maybe a corroded wire, or a steering stabilizer or a number of other things. I have only had that come on when connected to a trailer and Dielectric grease worked great.

When I got that message on my 2008, it got replaced under warranty.