OEM Trailer Brake Controller

Jack Murray · February 11, 2020

Hi All,

I've tried some searches to no avail. I'm tired of aftermarket brake controllers, my 2016 LT Duramax didn't come with one and my current 2019 also didn't come with one. Anything to help keep the lights on at GM Headquarters. Has anyone here installed an OEM brake controller. From what I can see it would involve a switch bezel (22830877), the switch (84109447 or 84108373), I'd assume a wiring harness (can't seem to find) and maybe a module (23337305???).

Looks like all in, that would be about $150 depending upon the harness cost. Anyone out there with any knowledge? Thanks in advance.

davester · February 11, 2020

This is for your 2019 (note, if it is, then you posted in the wrong section, as this is for 2014-2018).

Anyway, I believe this has been discussed on the forum already, and the result was basically "You can't".

You can buy all the parts that are needed to make your truck exactly like one that came with that feature from the factory, but you can't get GM to reprogram your truck to enable it to work.

TJay74 · February 11, 2020

Davester is correct, and this applies to the 2014-2018 and 2019+ truck, if the truck didnt come with the OEM trailer brake controller from the factory it cant be added after the fact no matter what. GM even addressed this on the 2014+ trucks and confirmed, they wont update the programming to the needed modules for it to work like the did on the 2013 and older trucks.

So either accept the 3rd party TBC or else sell the truck and buy one with the OEM TBC already in it.

rbrjr1 · February 11, 2020

AS OF NOW... (theyre right)..

I've heard there are BCM Programming services that are working to make this upgrade with OEM parts a reality...

davester · February 11, 2020

3 hours ago, rbrjr1 said:

AS OF NOW... (theyre right)..

I've heard there are BCM Programming services that are working to make this upgrade with OEM parts a reality...

That would not be something I would use, as they would have to write the implementation, as it's not just a "turn on this feature" thing. And they will likely be sued to oblivion if they copy GM's programming.

These guys won't have any experience of how brake controllers work. Not good for something that controls a basic safety system.

Jaychevy81 · February 11, 2020

Check with WAMS not sure if they touched on this yet. I had some programming done by them for other things. The problem is there is more then 1 module that runs the brake controller.

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newdude · February 11, 2020

12 hours ago, Jack Murray said:

Hi All,

I've tried some searches to no avail. I'm tired of aftermarket brake controllers, my 2016 LT Duramax didn't come with one and my current 2019 also didn't come with one. Anything to help keep the lights on at GM Headquarters. Has anyone here installed an OEM brake controller. From what I can see it would involve a switch bezel (22830877), the switch (84109447 or 84108373), I'd assume a wiring harness (can't seem to find) and maybe a module (23337305???).

Looks like all in, that would be about $150 depending upon the harness cost. Anyone out there with any knowledge? Thanks in advance.

Can't be done.

Quote

#PIT5241F: Adding Integrated Trailer Brake Controller RPO JL1 - (Sep 10, 2018)

Supersession Statement

This PI was superseded to update Models section. Please discard PIT5241E.

Condition/Concern

Some customers may request the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (RPO JL1) be installed on their Full-Size Pickup or SUV when the vehicle was not ordered with the option. This is to advise you that, if the vehicle does not have the option (RPO JL1), it cannot be added to the vehicle.

Note: Reference the latest version of PI1105- which advises how to install an aftermarket trailer brake controller.

Go aftermarket and be done with it.

BlancoSilverado · February 11, 2020

I have personally tried to install an OEM trailer brake. It cannot be done.

Jack Murray · February 11, 2020

Thanks for all the great info. What it boils down to is shame on GM for making a Work Truck with no trailer hitch and brake controller standard. Anyway, I have a DrawTite controller in the new truck, hopefully it performs better than the Curt the dealership installed on my 2016. Nothing but trouble with that one. Thanks everyone!!!

TJay74 · February 12, 2020

On 2/11/2020 at 1:02 PM, davester said:

That would not be something I would use, as they would have to write the implementation, as it's not just a "turn on this feature" thing. And they will likely be sued to oblivion if they copy GM's programming.

These guys won't have any experience of how brake controllers work. Not good for something that controls a basic safety system.

There is only 1 company in the world that has access to the GM BCM, that is WAMS.

They wont be "sued" as it is always GM programming they are using, they are just turning on/off the features in the BCM that are not set that way from the factory. It has nothing to do with how trailer brake controllers work, that is already hard coded into the system and modules. It is a matter of being able to activate the feature on every module that needs it after the fact so the modules can talk.

GM closed that loophole when the 2014+ trucks came out, when asked GM answered they would not allow the feature to be added even though they had in the past. I would not hold my breath for the ability for a OEM TBC to be added to a vehicle after it has left the factory. Either be ok with and use the 3rd party ones or else you are going to have to buy a truck that has the OEM TBC already on it.

davester · February 12, 2020

3 minutes ago, TJay74 said:

There is only 1 company in the world that has access to the GM BCM, that is WAMS.

They wont be "sued" as it is always GM programming they are using, they are just turning on/off the features in the BCM that are not set that way from the factory. It has nothing to do with how trailer brake controllers work, that is already hard coded into the system and modules. It is a matter of being able to activate the feature on every module that needs it after the fact so the modules can talk.

GM closed that loophole when the 2014+ trucks came out, when asked GM answered they would not allow the feature to be added even though they had in the past. I would not hold my breath for the ability for a OEM TBC to be added to a vehicle after it has left the factory. Either be ok with and use the 3rd party ones or else you are going to have to buy a truck that has the OEM TBC already on it.

It's my understanding that, in general (as I don't know the specifics of this), GM only includes the code for the features that are installed in the truck, rather than the code for all the features, and just turns individual features on and off. If WAMS just turning features on and off, they would be fine, but if the the code isn't in the truck to be turned on, GM would very much have a case if WAMS copied the code from one truck and installed it in another.