what brake controllers do you have and likes/dislikes about the one you have?I have an 08 chevy 2500 with the built in brake controller and it's saying "service trailer brake system" every time I start the truck with or without a trailer attached, still have all of my lights just no brakes. Talked to the mechanic and he said easiest/cheapest to put in an aftermarket since it is probably something with the integrated controller back on the frame rail to a tune of about $400.looking at the Tekonsha P3, but that is just with some minimal looking/reviews although they look good but wanting some other options to compare to
Posted 2016-03-18 5:04 PM (#166477 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
My last one was a drawtite (don't know model #) and it worked fine for the small BP trailers. My last diesel (2 trucks ago) had the brand you mentioned and it was great and didn't seem to drag when the brakes weren't engaged. My Drawtite and my current integrated 2015 Ford brakes seem to drag when not engaged. If I decrease the brakes to 1.0 gain they don't drag but anything above that I notice them, the higher the worse it gets.
Posted 2016-03-18 8:56 PM (#166478 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
There is a pressure sensor in the master cylinder that provides the voltage output based on pressures to the trailer brake control that may be dead. The sensor part number should be 1 15838718. The dealership should be able to check and replace it if necessary.
Posted 2016-03-18 9:03 PM (#166480 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Bulletin No.: 09-05-22-004Date: November 05, 2009Subject: No "Trailer Connected" Message on Driver Information Center (DIC) at Startup When Trailer is Connected (Reprogram ITBCM)Models:2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado2007-2008 GMC SierraEquipped with Integrated Trailer Brake (RPO JL1) Condition:Some customers may comment that when they connect their trailer, with the engine off, and after they start the engine, the Trailer Connected message is not displayed on the DIC. With the engine running, if the trailer connector is cycled, the vehicle will detect the trailer and display Trailer Connected. This concern should only affect trailers equipped with trailer brakes on a single axle.Cause: The trailer brake control system is only compatible with trailers equipped with electric trailer brakes. The system will not work or detect trailers equipped with any other types of brakes such as surge, air or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake systems. When a trailer is connected, the Trailer Brake Control Module (TBCM) performs a test to determine if the trailer is equipped with electric trailer brakes. If the trailer wiring or electric trailer brake magnets have additional resistance (caused by poor connections, corrosion, improper splices, etc.), the TBCM may not be able to detect the trailer.Correction: A revised calibration has been developed to address these issues. Reprogram the Integrated Trailer Brake Control Module (ITBCM) with updated calibration files using the TIS2WEB Service Programming System (SPS) application. Refer to SI and Service Programming System (SPS) documentation for programming instructions, if required. Refer to Trailer Brake Control Module Programming and Setup in SI.
Posted 2016-03-19 7:01 AM (#166484 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
Member
Posts: 37 Location: Upstate NY
mine has been doing it even without a trailer connected which is why the mechanic thinks it's probably the module that sits along the frame rail.as it is, I've never been impressed with the integrated controller ever since I bought the truck, every trailer has to be at the max 10.0 and even then not the braking power that I would be looking for. I know the new integrated(and aftermarket) systems are supposed to be better about not feeling the jerkyness of the brakes engaging like some of the older models but I would still figure that new brakes on 2 axles at the max setting hard braking I should feel some help from the trailer instead. so figured instead of spending money on diagnostics then more money on parts farther ahead to just spend $150 or so and get a new brake controller.
Posted 2016-03-19 12:53 PM (#166485 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
New User
Posts: 1
Location: ponder texas
The factory systems detect if their SEEMS to be a trailer connected and then test that the brake circuit on trailer MIGHT be OK.You are in an area where salt is used on the roads and the salt seeps into trailer connector on truck. The factory connectors have the plug on bumper in turn plugged into an electrical connector on truck wiring harness. That plug can get salt water in it and corrosion occurs. The corrosion causes an electrical bleed that the truck's electronics believes is a connected trailer. The light circuit is usually the way the connected trailer is detected. When the electronics on truck do not detect a verified electric brake circuit then the message is displayed.Do you know if the guy working on your truck has unplugged and checked those trailer socket connections? I see trucks with this issue a lot. I find corrosion in the plugs and metal bits that break off the trailer side plug wedged into the truck plug. When plugs are added to bed then those can have water collect or metal parts corrode or break that can give the unintended electrical connections that truck flags that message for.The factory controller is better than the Prodigy or any other current brand since it has a lot of inputs from systems and sensors on truck used to make trailer braking decisions. The only thing close to factory is a controller that is $400 range that uses a brake fluid pressure sensor to make the brake apply decisions mimic EXACTLY your applied pedal pressure. I am unsure that those controllers are still available as the factory built-ins have drastically cut the business for added on controllers.Prodigy and any other controller is using deceleration sensors to try to feel your applied braking force but heavy trailers decrease the deceleration rate and make those controllers not apply trailer brakes enough. If you dial up controller settings you almost always have too much brake on initial brake pedal application. Often you have no idea how well your trailer can brake until you have had it on a truck with a factory controller.I would try to get what you have fixed before you abandon it for an add on unit.
Posted 2016-04-03 3:22 PM (#166645 - in reply to #166475) Subject: RE: Brake Controllers
Member
Posts: 37 Location: Upstate NY
well have had the P3 in the truck for about a week and absolutely love it. For $120 I think it was a better value to go this route vs spending money to diagnose the integrated then more money to possibly fix it when this was $120 and a few hours of time running 2 wires and done
Brake Controllers
