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Safe to Drive with "Service Trailer Braking System" message

Jeannie Green

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Jeannie Green New Member

Jeannie Green

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We have NEVER towed anything with our 2016 GMS Sierra.  The 'Service Trailer Barking System" message appeared out of the blue upon start up yesterday.  Is there any braking danger to driving the vehicle with this message appearing?  Thanks in advance

davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted

Yes, there is the possibility that the trailer brakes aren't working right, so when you need to panic stop, you will only have the brakes on your truck working.

JimCost2014 Senior Enthusiast

JimCost2014

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Jeannie Green said:

We have NEVER towed anything with our 2016 GMS Sierra.  The 'Service Trailer Barking System" message appeared out of the blue upon start up yesterday.  Is there any braking danger to driving the vehicle with this message appearing?  Thanks in advance

Welcome to the site.

 

You should be fine, there is a TSB for your problem:

 

Subject: Diagnostic Tip - Integrated Trailer Brake Control System
Models: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2014 GMC Sierra 1500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra and Yukon Models
With Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system RPO JL1
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern
Some customers may comment that when they have a trailer connected to the vehicle, they get a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the DIC.  DTC C1114 could be set in the Chassis Control Module (CCM).
Diagnosing these concerns can be difficult because the issue could either be related to the truck or the trailer. This PI is to provide some additional diagnostic information for these three symptoms:
– Check Trailer Wiring message
– Check Trailer Wiring message with DTC C1114
– Service Trailer Brake System message with DTC C1114
Recommendation/Instructions
General Information
The trailer brake control system on the new body style trucks is compatible with two types of trailer brake systems: electromagnetic or electro-over hydraulic trailer brakes. The Chassis Control Module K38 (CCM) must determine which type of brakes the trailer is equipped with so the system can output correctly for the trailer's brake system. Because the CCM has to determine the type of trailer brake system that is being used, it can be sensitive to a variety of trailer wiring issues.
The Trailer Brake Power Control Module K133 continuously sends a test pulse out on the trailer control circuit 47, looking for a trailer that has been connected, and also to monitor for circuit faults. The way the test pulse reacts when a trailer is connected is how the CCM determines which type of braking system the trailer is equipped with.
Even after the system detects the trailer, it will continue to send this test pulse on circuit 47, which now is monitoring both the truck and trailer circuitry. Circuit 47 continues to be monitored for any faults so the driver can be notified of any issues that may occur within the truck or trailer, as well as, to determine when the trailer is disconnected from the truck. If the CCM detects an issue, it will either display a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System" message on the DIC. See DIC message/DIC below.
Electro-over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes
Electro-over hydraulic brake systems have some unique characteristics and here are a couple examples:
– The electro-over hydraulic brake pump motor needs a minimum duty cycle of approximately 20-30% to turn on the pump motor. If the user gain is set too low, or during light brake pedal apply the pump motor may not turn on. This is normal. Increasing the user gain or brake pedal pressure will help alleviate this concern.
– When applying the brake pedal at 0 mph (stopped) there will be no output from the truck's trailer brake system to the electro-over hydraulic pump motor. This is normal.
1
Testing The Truck's Trailer Brake System
In many cases, trailer brake issues are the result of trailer wiring concerns and they are not related to the actual vehicle's wiring. Most trailers with these wiring issues do not have high standards in relation to wiring/connections/splices/routing practices (see examples in Step 3 below) when compared to similar automotive practices for wiring/connections/splices/routing. Because of this, the CCM can set faults, which can be hard to determine if they are related to the truck or trailer. The easiest and fastest way to test the truck is to make a tester using trailer brake magnets. This type of tester utilizes actual trailer brake magnets and will load the truck's electrical system, just like a trailer would do without having to have the complete trailer. Shown below is an examples of such a tester. The trailer brake system will operate with 1 to 4 pairs of trailer brake magnets (1 pair of magnets = 1 axle). It is suggested to make a tester where the pairs of magnets can be added or removed to equal the same number of brakes as the customer's trailer. Also, it is advised to make the harness long enough so it can be plugged into the truck's 7 way connector and have the magnets placed into the bed of the truck. When the tester is connected to the truck, the DIC will display "Trailer Connected" and GDS2 will show "Electro-magnetic" brakes in the CCM data parameter "Trailer Brake Type", refer to item 1 in "GDS2 Data" section below. If so, the vehicle can be driven to see if any fault messages or DTC's set. If none occur with the tester installed, the truck is operating correctly and the focus should be on the trailer wiring or 7 way connector.
Making the Tester
Parts needed:
1. 7 way RV trailer connector (example: Pollak Heavy Duty 7-Way Part # 12-706) Qty: 1
2. Electric Trailer Brake Magnets (example: Dexter Axle Part # K71-104-00) Qty: 2, 4, 6, or 8
3. 12 gauge wire and terminals/connectors Qty: as needed
Connect two 12 gauge wires to the 7-way RV trailer connector: one to the "Ground" terminal and a second to the "Brake Controller Output" terminal (circuit 47), shown below. Connect the other ends of the 12 gauge wires to the trailer brake magnets. All magnets must be connected in parallel so each magnet wire is connected to the Ground and Brake Controller Output wires from the 7 way connector.
Note:  Do NOT connect the magnets in series with each other.
2
If, after using the tester shown above, the truck functions properly, you may follow the diagnostic tips listed below to help diagnose a trailer related issue. Trailer issues are NOT covered under warranty, but this information listed below can be used to help the customer/trailer supplier understand and correct any trailer related issues if they so choose.
DIC Message/ DTC's
It is important to understand and determine what message is being displayed, as well as, if DTC C1114 is setting. This will help determine what type of fault to inspect for on the trailer. Below is the combinations of message(s)/DTC to determine the type of fault the customer is experiencing:
– Check Trailer Wiring message with no DTC. This symptom is caused after the system detects a trailer and an open and/or high resistance occurs in circuit 47/trailer brake output circuit, during the same ignition cycle.  NOTE: It is normal for the DIC to display "Check Trailer Wiring" when the trailer is disconnected from the truck while the ignition is in the run position.
– Check Trailer Wiring message with DTC C1114 (NO Service Trailer Brake message). This symptom is caused by a short to ground on circuit 47.
– Service Trailer Brake System with DTC C1114. This symptom is caused by a short to power on circuit 47 or a poor trailer ground.
 

carnau Enthusiast

carnau

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, Jeannie Green said:

We have NEVER towed anything with our 2016 GMS Sierra.  The 'Service Trailer Barking System" message appeared out of the blue upon start up yesterday.  Is there any braking danger to driving the vehicle with this message appearing?  Thanks in advance

Do you know the codes in the vehicle?

 

Most of the time it is just a trailer brake switch located on the inside of the vehicle Especially if the code is a C1117 and Especially if you never tow anything. I would say 90% of the time. If not it is more than likely the relay or corrosion in the trailer brake plug itself. If you get the codes it will help very much. It will not hurt to drive with this, it will annoy you more than anything.

 

Here is a video on how to replace the switch. It is really quite simple and inexpensive.

 

15 Z71 Senior Enthusiast

15 Z71

Posted
Posted

Mine does this sometimes, squeeze the 2 tabs on brake controller then hit dismiss. Mine stops for months then.

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