Jump to content

"Check Trailer Wiring" Solution?

blackedout96
 Share

Recommended Posts

blackedout96 Enthusiast

blackedout96

Posted
Posted

I've had this issue now with two new trucks. The first a 2014 Silverado 1500 and now my 2016 Sierra Denali. Any trailer I ever connected them to I constantly get the "trailer connected" message followed by "check trailer wiring".

 

I'd love to blame the problem on trailer wiring, but the same trailers function perfectly when connected to Ford trucks and older GM's. This isn't an intermittent, works on some trailers not on others thing. Neither truck has ever cosistently operated the brakes on any trailer properly.

 

I've never seen a recall or GM acknowledgement of the issue, just wondering if anyone has ever found any solution.

bdbake01 Senior Enthusiast

bdbake01

Posted
Posted

Curious myself. I have the same issue.  When it happens, the brakes stop functioning until I turn the truck off and back on.  Not cool. 

badge171 Enthusiast

badge171

Posted
Posted

Bad ground somewhere in the trailer. Some trailer's the ball will make the ground circuit. Not so, needs a dedicated ground on the trailer, The lighter the ground wiring diameter gauge. The weaker ground is produced.  

MySilverado180 Enthusiast

MySilverado180

Posted
Posted

I have had this issue on multiple occasions towing an RV. The 7 way connector is a very loose fitting, and when it loses connection, I get this error message on the DIC. Always have to re-seat connector and turn vehicle completely off to get it to reset.

 

Tried electrical tape to make it a tighter fitting. Worked better, but not great. Found that I had to tap  the 7 way in further by a little less than 1/2 inch. It then grabbed properly and no more issues. Very tight fit when I did that, was almost afraid of breaking something. 

 

Thanks for the TSB link above. I will also try getting the Pollak connector.

avgas Enthusiast

avgas

Posted
Posted

For some reason people who wire trailer plugs do not think they need to connect the ground wire. The ball just doesn't provide a good enough ground. Check the trailer ground, Its likely the issue. 

blackedout96 Enthusiast

blackedout96

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ordered a Pollak plug for my trailer, we'll see if that helps.

The frustrating part for me is that I pull customers' trailers frequently and I can't go changing their plugs for the one time I tow them. I also have a 2014 F-150 for my shop truck and that operates all of them properly every time. I just have to use my personal truck when that's busy, which is most of the time.

The problem is so widespread and well known that GM must simply have no interest in fixing it. If Ford's 7-ways are forgiving enough to work on all trailers without special provisions, then GM should seriously consider trying a new style plug.

  • 1 year later...
donaldbailey New Member

donaldbailey

Posted
Posted

my 2018 gmc is doing the ….. check trailer wiring  …...trailer connected ...on dash display 

trailer brakes don't work when check trailer wiring comes on 

 

GMC put on new truck reciprocal  didn't help 

I changed trailer plug... twice 

I ran separate ground from  trailer to truck 

still does it

 

trailer works fine on other peoples gmc truck 

 

any ideas would be appericated 

 

 

MySilverado180 Enthusiast

MySilverado180

Posted
Posted

I also had similar issues and even had the dealer look at it. Everything was working correctly according to GM. Also noticed the loose fitting plug. Seemed too loose to maintain electrical connections. So I looked inside the receptacle and if you look closely you can see what looks like a quarter round piece of trim between the base and the wall. I figured my plug was going just above this, keeping it loose.  Next time I towed, I had to push really hard to get the plug to seat inside that quarter round.  It did! The plug was now tight, and never had the problem again. If you do this, just make sure the plug is aligned with the pins correctly and should be 95% of the way in, still loose fitting. That last 1/8 of inch is the push really hard part.

 

good luck.  

kenny_r Enthusiast

kenny_r

Posted
Posted

My truck does the same thing...2017 hd. There is just enough play on the trailer side connection that it triggers the message. Sometimes you can bend the tabs on the female/trailer side and it will work. That was the case with mine at least.

donaldbailey New Member

donaldbailey

Posted
Posted

Thank you i will look at that 

i hooked a tarp strap to plug yesterday seemed to help but still does it 

 

going to measure today to see if it is going into socket all the way 

 

i will look at bending tabs 

also ordered a different plug for trailer ...one thar somebody suggested

i do appreciate all the ideas 

  • 5 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • richard wysong
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By richard wysong · Posted

      The timing marks are ok, that is #1, you can turn it over until they line up and it won't change anything, the crankshaft turns twice for every camshaft revolution, I have always set up SB Chevs as your pic shows using a straight edge
    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Someone's been here before.... There is a receipt for a 3-piece timing set, purchased earlier this year.   Is this picture something, or, nothing?   I have the timing cover off and my crank is perfectly TDC and the keyed gear's locating mark is dead on 12 o'clock.   The cam gear locating mark is also at 12 o'clock. Now, I'm not an expert, but all the install guides say the two locating marks should meet and be perfectly aligned when installing a timing set. The mark on the crank should be dead on 12:00 and the cam gear's mark should be dead on 6:00, and both marks should be perfectly vertically aligned.   I believe the timing gear is keyed or has a dowel that ensures it can only be installed on the cam in one position, so I have to believe the cam is out of phase somehow. At the very least, with a triangular bolt pattern, it can only be installed in one of 3 different positions.   Before I pulled the front cover, the truck was running alright, no service engine soon lights except an occasional P0172 / rich condition. Timing -16 timing at idle (should be +16), and total -35% fuel trim, two conditions I haven't been able to figure out.   In related news, my injector tested pretty well, wasn't leaking, but I had it rebuilt anyway, and it's on it's way back to me.         Along with this discovery, the good and bad:   Good: The oil pan seal appears undamaged.   Bad: -The timing cover has been reused, and the positioning dowels have been broken. That could explain some of the leaking. -Some kind of white paste or grease was used to try to seal the oil pan seal and timing cover (since wiped off..). -Then, someone globbed silicone all over the front of the cover and also buried the ckp sensor in it. But, they didn't put any inside the cover or use RTV to try to seal the oil pan seal with the timing cover (good).
    • Grumpy Bear
      PF63 Oil Filters Going Away?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      The guy that owns K&P filters last I checked in with him has over 300,000 miles on his Dodge base Hemi using his own 35 micron absolute stainless mesh filter from its first oil change.    The GM study I've posted a dozen times shows the relationship in engine life based in multiples of base units, not miles or years. That is the base unit is the number of miles the motor ran using the reference filter efficiency.    The above two paragraphs dismantle anecdotal arguments IF one changes oil often enough to prevent particle formation and the motor is in otherwise good shape. That is not full of silica (no air filter) or suffering a metallurgical issue that is not part of the lubrication discussion. Poor heat treat in example.   Data from UOA's I've reviewed from more than a few engines can show remarkably broad variations in oil cleanliness using the exact same filter over the course of an engines life.     Lastly there is the common sense of it. Wear debris WILL circulate the engine BEFORE it ever sees a filter in route to that filter and WILL harm the pump which NEVER sees filtered oil.    Alpha question then becomes, given the facts, how long do you believe is a reasonable service life from a vehicle you are certain you will not pass down? That is the junk yard will be it's resting place when you're done with it? (the moral issue most don't care about).    Omega question is then how diligent are you prepared to be in general mechanical, air & oil maintenance? Preventing particulates and keeping them sufficiently dilute; preventing the precursors from generation, amalgamation and precipitation.    If I get a good look at the engine bay of a vehicle I have a fair idea of the owners commitment to the inside of the power train. That 30 micron WIX is still more efficient than a sieve.                 
    • Tyler Gibbs
      PF63 Oil Filters Going Away?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      It also depends on what criteria someone is using for “best” when talking filters.  Are we going off best efficiency?   Best quality/QC?  Etc. because the two may not mutually exclusive.  
    • Tyler Gibbs
      PF63 Oil Filters Going Away?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      They’re not the same wiz as 10-15 years ago.  QC has fallen pretty hard.  The XP line was never good though in the first place.    https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/wix-filter-rusted-through.386492/post-6991372   https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-ve-used-my-last-wix-filter.27299/   https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/looking-for-a-better-replacement-for-wix-51258.403977/   https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/convince-me-in-using-the-purolator-boss.401537/post-7420147   the forums are littered with posts and examples of not great wix filters the last couple years 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...