[dalypual85]

I'm planning on towing with my new truck, and it has a 7pin/4pin in the bumper. I was informed when buying the truck, that it was already wired to the dash for a trailer brake controller. So I went out and I bought the OEM AC Delco switch and plate and installed it myself. Here's my problem- The Trailer Gain page isn't in my display. I've been looking left and right trying to figure out anything on my own.

Is this missing software that I need real help on, or does it not show up until a trailer is plugged in? Also, does a 7 pin test plug work on tricking it into thinking trailer brakes are attached?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[xPosTech]

Hmmm. My 2010 can't be retrofitted to the factory brake controler. Yours may be the same. The salesman probably meant that the brake controller harness is in the dash. Mine was blunt cut and coiled and taped under the center dash. It goes to an aftermarket controller, a Tekonsha Prodigy 3 in my case. You'll also need to wire the feed at the underhood fuse box.

Check your manual to be sure but I think you need to purchase a controller. The P3 is an excellent one. You can also check the etrailer.com website.

Ted

 

[csoldfield]

With the Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC), Trailer Gain should show up anytime on the DIC by pressing + or -. No need for a trailer to be connected. Does this happen?

 

[dalypual85]

xPosTech- The new ITBC is installed using the factory harness that is located behind the panel to the left of the steering wheel.

csoldfield- No, and when I go to my info pages the trailer brake page doesn't exist. I'm fearing that I'll need to get this thing hooked up to a computer and get the proper software.

 

[RayVoy]

To the best of my knowledge, if the truck is factory equipped with the brake control the DIC can communicate with it and display gain info.

If you add a 3rd party aftermarket controller the DíC can not communicate. The only gain info will be whatever is available on the aftermarket unit's display.

And no, the factory unit can not be retro-fitted.

 

[xPosTech]

That's what I told him, Ray. The ITBC is integrated into the Stabilitrak and ABS systems. I've never heard of buying a ITBC "module" - it consists of parts in many places. But that's what I'm familiar with. Maybe GM changed some things on the new trucks.

Ted

 

[RayVoy]

Maybe GM changed some things on the new trucks.

Ted

They probably have Ted, but not for the better, haha.

I'm sure someone with all of the wiring diagrams and the source code for the trucks many processing units could make it work; but would be a complex job.

 

[xPosTech]

I did some checking. ITBC retrofit requires RPO JL1 from factory. Since JL1 is the factory ITBC it can't be added.

https://gm.oemdtc.com/6736/pit5241d...ller-rpo-jl1-2014-2017-cadillac-chevrolet-gmc

dalypual85 check your RPO codes on the list on the door of the glove box. The official GM position is that JL1 (ITBC) is required. The factory system can not be installed on a truck without JL1 which is the factory option.

Edit: I'm guessing that the saleman used a common tactic to sell a truck. Namely, lying.

Ted

 

[dalypual85]

Thanks for the info guys. Finally got to the right person at a dealership. He let me know that even though the wiring is all correct and all the hardware is installed in the factory, they leave the controller out of the dash and the programming out of the computer. He let me know that I'll have to bring it in for a reflash and that it'd be $110 to hook it up and connect to whatever server it needs to get the new programming from- he said who, I can't remember- I guess GM's programming is open source and people buy licenses, blah blah blah.

So for now I'm grabbing an old voyager and hooking it up for this trip. When I get the time to leave my truck at the dealer, I'll have them reflash it and let you know how it works

What confused the snot out of me on the entire thing, is that the wiring harness is already clipped to the back of the panel that you remove... it looks plug and play. I'm a newbie at all of this, but hopefully this is the last time I make this mistake haha.

 

[garagerog]

"So for now I'm grabbing an old voyager and hooking it up for this trip. When I get the time to leave my truck at the dealer, I'll have them reflash it and let you know how it works "


Ok, I'm old and confuse easily, so let me get this straight. Not sure what kind of load you will be pulling, but you seem hesitant to pull it with a brand new Silverado without a TBC, so you're going to pull it with a Voyager. Are we on the same page here? A Chrysler Voyager, a uni-body, fwd, V-6 at the most pos mommy soccer van? Like I said I confuse easily.

 

[dalypual85]

Tekonsha Voyager Proportional TBC- it's a 2004 model, but it still works in my Tahoe and I'll splice it into the new harness.

 

[garagerog]

Whew, now that makes sense, Tahoe a good choice, I was worried for a minute, lol.

 

[RayVoy]

@garagerog your not the only one confused.

@dalypual85 are you saying the dealer is going to retro-fit the factory brake controller into your truck?

Please keep us updated

 

[dalypual85]

@RayVoy almost every piece of hardware is already factory installed, it just lacks the dash mounted controller - see photo of what I installed - They need to reflash my computer for the trailer braking programming so I can adjust the gain.

 

[RayVoy]

@dalypual85 the same pieces are available for my dash and for Ted's. When I got my truck in '10 the 1st thing I looked at was adding the factory brake controller.

At the time, I downloaded the wiring diagrams and convinced myself that it wasn't going to be an easy job to retro+fit the parts.

Just for starters, I needed the dash mounted unit and, if I remember correctly, the behind the dash control unit.

So, a lot of us are interested, let us know how you make out.

 

[Flyinfool]

I guess I was assuming that he meant a Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller. I never even thought of a soccer mom.

 

[faturner]

Thanks for the info guys. Finally got to the right person at a dealership. He let me know that even though the wiring is all correct and all the hardware is installed in the factory, they leave the controller out of the dash and the programming out of the computer. He let me know that I'll have to bring it in for a reflash and that it'd be $110 to hook it up and connect to whatever server it needs to get the new programming from- he said who, I can't remember- I guess GM's programming is open source and people buy licenses, blah blah blah.

So for now I'm grabbing an old voyager and hooking it up for this trip. When I get the time to leave my truck at the dealer, I'll have them reflash it and let you know how it works

What confused the snot out of me on the entire thing, is that the wiring harness is already clipped to the back of the panel that you remove... it looks plug and play. I'm a newbie at all of this, but hopefully this is the last time I make this mistake haha.

Did it work?

 

[faturner]

Thanks for the info guys. Finally got to the right person at a dealership. He let me know that even though the wiring is all correct and all the hardware is installed in the factory, they leave the controller out of the dash and the programming out of the computer. He let me know that I'll have to bring it in for a reflash and that it'd be $110 to hook it up and connect to whatever server it needs to get the new programming from- he said who, I can't remember- I guess GM's programming is open source and people buy licenses, blah blah blah.

So for now I'm grabbing an old voyager and hooking it up for this trip. When I get the time to leave my truck at the dealer, I'll have them reflash it and let you know how it works

What confused the snot out of me on the entire thing, is that the wiring harness is already clipped to the back of the panel that you remove... it looks plug and play. I'm a newbie at all of this, but hopefully this is the last time I make this mistake haha.

This makes sense considering the plug for the backup camera is installed underneath the bed and all of the wiring is there. You can purchase the factory camera and the tailgate handle from a variety of places, but the HMI has to be programmed to access it.

 

[xPosTech]

HMI?

Ted

 

[faturner]

Human Machine Interface. It’s a box that’s underneath the glove compartment that controls lots of stuff. Truck won’t start without it. Programmed to your VIN number.