Troubleshooting Factory Trailer Brake Controller in 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500

Published 02/02/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.79

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

Hello. Looking for a brake controller for 2017 Chevy 2500hd. It has a integrated brake controller that is not operating my 3 axle 5th wheel for some reaso. My truck is brand new. Can you help please ?

asked by: Joel

Helpful Expert Reply:

Most aftermarket brake controllers like the excellent Prodigy units # 90885 and # 90195 have settings for both standard electric drum brake trailers and for electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) actuator trailers. Since these two types of trailer braking systems present very different electrical loads the brake controller must have an operating mode for each type. Some factory-installed controllers will not have this dual-operation capacity. If your 5th wheel has EOH brakes, you'll want to check your controller to see if this operation mode is available. If not, either of the units noted above will be an excellent option as a replacement. Sometimes an adapter can correct this issue; please let me know your EOH actuator brand and model if that is the case.

If your triple-axle 5th wheel uses electric brakes, then I suggest you test the controller. You'll need a helper to sit in the truck and apply the controller manual override lever while you apply a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to the truck's 7-way. Please refer to the linked photo that shows you where to apply the tester ground and probe (ground the tester to the pin at the 7-o-clock position and apply the probe to the pin at the 5-o-clock position with the controller set to full power/boost and while the manual override is engaged). You should detect a signal on the 7-way, if you do not then there could be a malfunction in the controller or an issue in the wiring between the controller and the 7-way.

Since your truck is brand new there should be warranty coverage on the factory controller. We have found that many owners of trucks with factory-installed controllers still end up replacing these with better (and often less costly) aftermarket units like the Prodigy models. Typically, the reliability and performance of factory units is not up to par with the best aftermarket devices.

expert reply by: Adam R