oscarvan Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 I got the dreaded warning....... Pulled into a rest area, all was hunky dory. Next morning....poof, no trailer brakes and the error warning. You really have to think ahead with 19K coming up your donkey. Comfortably parked at Fort Wilderness with a week to sort this out before a 1000 miles run home. 2012 Chevy 3500 HD DMax Turned it on and off a few times, checked the wires best I could, checked, and pulled and replaced the fuse. No joy. Does it too without the trailer connected....... Ideas? Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Smith Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Open connection between the truck connector and the brakes. When you manually apply brakes do you hear them at the trailer??? Steve and Joy Amateur Radio Operator WZ1T . . . Flex 6600 M, Flex PGXL, Flex TGXL, 2014 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q . . . Lincoln MKX Toad The Kids . . . Yogi the Yorkie passed 10/20/2018. . . Cookie the Chihuahua passed 11/30/2017 . . . Cooper the Aussie Doodle passed 3/10/2020 Abbie and Abel the Doodles . . . Brother and Sister Born 02/02/2020 . . . Lucy the Yorkie . . . and Axel . . .The Bernie Doodle Where We Are Now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartmouth01 Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Does your brake control have an indicator when the trailer is connected? My Chevy 2500 has the built in brake controller and tells me when a trailer is connected.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Under the back of the truck, trace the plug receptacle back to the truck harness. There should be 2 plugs there, separate the plugs, clean the pins, plug back together. Make sure the harness's are in good shape, not chaffed anywhere. Next spot is the receptacle itself, make sure the plug in the back is fully seated etc. Next is checking fuses, on other Chevy trucks, there was a master fuse for "Trailer" under the hood in one of the fuse boxes. Locations moved with model years. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Have not gotten under there to look for chafing yet, and separated the harness plugs yet, that is a good idea. Drove through some gnarly weather, so that is a definite possibility. Then again, it worked when I shut it down.....chafing is a slower process. But water/dirt in the plugs that fermented overnight is a possibility. Yes, it has an indicator, and it shows "Trailer Connected" but no brakes being applied, either manually or with the pedal, and I can't hear them and I certainly don't feel them. The trailer plug and receptacle itself are clean and in good shape. Yes, there is a 15A fuse for the ITBC ..... (Integrated trailer brake controller) Have pulled it, it LOOKS good, but I know that can be wrong. Next step is to replace it with a new one. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Do any of the RV lights work? If lights work, then it's the trailer brake side. Usual culprits are where the main wiring splits to the front and rear axles, and where they run the wiring into the axle tubes. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 All the lights work. Again, it is an integrated brake controller, in fact it gets it's modulation off the brake pedal/braking circuits The error is showing with and WITHOUT the trailer connected. This is deeper and in the electronics of the Chevy. Another check I haven't done yet is to pull the breakaway plug and replace it. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Oh, Without the trailer connected is on the Chevy side then. Could there be another fuse for trailer brakes somewhere? On an older Dodge 2006, it was tied into a separate computer that had to be reset at a dealership.. go figure Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 I have had the warning on my 2008 a couple of times when the trailer was disconnected. It occurred after driving in heavy rain and standing water on the roadways. It cleared itself after a couple of starts and restarts when it stopped raining. I have also gotten the message with the trailer connected. Cleaning the connections with an emery board, speading the V-shaped blades on the truck connector and using some electrical tape to hold the female 7-pin more securely in place seems to solve the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Yes, it rained..... hard. And yes, some of the truck forums are talking about a computer flash..... The trailer "outlet" and plug are dry and in good shape. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Might be worth checking/replacing the relays as well. They generally only run a few dollars a piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Will have to figure out which relay does what..... Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 OK, the plot thickens. Now throwing a "Diesel Fluid System" code. (Yes, it's full) Time for expensive computers, and thus..... off to the dealer. I have till Sunday, but I'm not going to tell them that. Anyone know of a Chevvy dealer in Orlando that knows and cares? Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Ended up at Starling Chevrolet. Rep was nice, took his time to understand my story and sent me back on vacation in a brand new truck. Fingers crossed. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Sounds like you went the "expensive" route! No, that is a loaner. truck..... The good news...... the "Service Diesel Fluid Systems" problem is under warrantee....... The bad news...... Since I need it fixed NOW they are throwing a relay, pressure sensor and control module at the trailer brakes..... plus 4 hours of labor = $900 ish...... Oh well, if it's truly fixed it will be worth it to have a "normal" 1100 mile drag home...... Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 I don't have much of a choice....... Every part they need has to come from Charlotte. Don't have a potential three days to do them one at a time. I should ask for the old parts, as two out of three are good. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 OK for next time and you can try this now. I assume you have a fiver? If so, just pull the emergency breakaway pin from the trailer and without connecting the umbilical see if the brakes allow it to be pulled. If not, then the problem is forward of the brakes. This eliminates a broken or loose connector wire from the brake magnets to the trailer pigtail brake circuit. I had issues with a crossover wire that came loose once. But the breakaway switch pin pull is a very easy test as long as you don't forget to put it back in. Then all the pigtail and wiring and in your case truck. I'm sorry you had such a frustrating weekend! RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 ........ Don't have a potential three days to do them one at a time. I should ask for the old parts, as two out of three are good. While leaving removed parts with the customer is good service policy and a thing that we did at my service job, at the same time I'd not be overly cautious with the dealer as I really believe that most of them are reasonably honest businessmen who try to provide good customer service. Think positive until you get some reason not to do so. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Reading about this situation, I've been thinking about this for several years. Believing that the OEM brake controllers will be a source of issues in time, couldn't you just install an electric brake controller that we have done for years, run a new wire from the controller to the plug, tie back the factory brake line? Just thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Kirk, I do trust them, but in this case they are replacing a number of things because they don't have time to do them one at a time to see which is the culprit. They hooked up the computer and those were the potential causes it threw. Derek, the error is there even without the trailer connected. It is in the truck "smart" brake controller circuitry. There's a control board, interfaces with ECU, a brake pressure sensor, relay and a number of impressive connectors. Bob, I have thought about doing that. If this keeps happening that may be the answer. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 What I'm getting to is that it would seem that they believe the parts thrown at it will solve the problem. If they don't, it then becomes a major challenge as most vehicle electronic systems are not designed to be worked upon, but just replaced. You might find a tech who can and will work on them, but that will be difficult and probably won't be at an authorized dealer. My Dodge truck currently has a problem in the trailer light connections which come to the plug via the truck electronic controls. The Dodge dealer wanted to replace the electronic module at a cost of $693, plus labor but an independent mechanic I know just replaces the soldered in relays for about $150, total. The Dodge mechanic told me that he is not allowed to open those modules up. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 The Dodge mechanic told me that he is not allowed to open those modules up. That I believe. It requires a whole new level of training. What I DO think they should do is have a repair facility, in house or contracted, that does the repairs and offers the customer the choice of a new one or a rebuilt one at a reduced price. Some of these repair prices for simple things are getting out of hand. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 OK then...... $1030.00 later truck is back. $295.00 to fix a "low voltage error" in the oil pressure circuit. Hmmm. Dead oil pressure gauge was fixed under warrantee not that many miles ago.... and the oil pressure gauge was working FINE. Old code? Not properly fixed in the warrantee repair? That one needs further research. "Diesel Fluid System Error" fixed...... Apparently some EGT sensor(s) (would you believe there are 4 FOUR of them?) Under warrantee. No more message I'm happy. Now it gets interesting.... So we replaced the "Integrated Trailer Brake Control" module, a sensor, and a relay....... No error when I picked it up. Got back to the campground, and the first thing I did was plug in the trailer......... "Trailer Connected" good. Set brake modulation, and applied brakes..... Gauge shows brake application..... that's an improvement. No noise from the trailer, but that's not necessarily a cause for concern. So I go.....COOL. All fixed. Pull the plug on the trailer..... "Check Trailer Wiring"..... hmmmm, now mind you... that is NOT the same message as the original "Check Trailer Brake Wiring" error...... but it is NEW TO ME. Plug back in, hmmm still showing brake application. Disconnect....same "Check Trailer Wiring" There are 2, TWO, possibilities. 1 Something is still wrong, but I won't know until I actually hook up the rig and try it........ 2 The new software (yes, the trailer brake control module which was replaced) now signals if the plug drops out...... I remember the good old days..... oy vey. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Not yet. Sunday will be the test. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSeas Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Hope you have a "plan B" in the fix goes"south"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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