Bypassing Factory Brake Controller and Installing Aftermarket Model on 2018 GMC Sierra 3500

Question

Question:

I’m towing a 2019 Jayco 387RDFS Fifth Wheel with a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD, 6.6L Duramax, DRW, Long Bed. On several occasions, the brake controller in the truck failed. The first failure was because it blew a 30AMP fuse, which I believe is a fuse for the trailer brakes. The second failure was because of module in the GMC Sierra’s trailer braking system. The third failure was because of different module in the GMC Sierra’s trailer braking system. I get an occasional warning message regarding the trailer brakes or connection. I need a reliable brake controller that will override the factory trailer brake system in the GMC Sierra. The ideal situation would be to have an autonomous trailer brake controller that I can quickly switch to if the factory trailer brake controller fails. Second to that would be to just completely override the factory brake controller with a reliable brake controller. I’m hoping to get some suggestions.

asked by: Dave K

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

There isn't anything like an autonomous controller that would step up if the factory controller fails.

I'd simply bypass the existing factory brake controller. The GM ITBC, although it works better now than the earlier models has been problematic enough that Tekonsha who provides many of our aftermarket brake controllers has a technical bulletin that specifically addresses how to bypass the factory controller. Let's just say you aren't the only one that's had problems with the factory brake controller.

If you'd like the controller to stay with the trailer and not be permanently installed on the vehicle, the Tekonsha # TK94FR Prodigy RF would be a good choice. To bypass the factory controller, all you'll need to do is locate the harness feeding the factory 7-way trailer connector and peel back the wire loom and electrical tape protecting it. Locate the blue wire exiting the rear of the trailer connector and sever it, leaving a few inches of wire so you can reconnect it if need be or install a vehicle mounted brake controller in the future.

If you're wanting to tow multiple trailers, it would be more feasible to install a controller in the vehicle like the Tekonsha P3, part # 90195. The P3 is one of the controllers I recommend most often because of how good the user interface is and because of the features the controller provides. The controller provides 5 storable settings that you can used for different trailers. You'll only need to set the controller up once per trailer then toggle back and forth as you change trailers. The controller provides a full LCD display to alert you to any problems in the braking system in plain English (or French or Spanish, if you'd prefer) instead of a color changing LED or an alpha-numeric error code that you'll have to remember.

If you decide to go this route, you'll also need the # 3016 wiring harness that connects the brake controller to the connector in the junction box on the firewall behind the e-brake pedal as shown in the linked video.

I'll link to the tech bulletin that will walk you through the process of installing the vehicle-mounted controller. In a nutshell, you'll cut the blue wire of the # 3016 behind the brake controller, leaving a few inches so you can splice on a length of # 10-1-1 wire long enough to run through the firewall, into the engine compartment and under the vehicle to the trailer connector on the rear bumper. You'd sever the wire as described above, and attach the blue wire you've ran from the front.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

Patrick

3/4/2024

can you share the link to the video bypassing the itbc

Reply

Mike L.

3/5/2024

@Patrick We don't have a video showing the process, but we do offer a help article that would walk you through the process. We'll link that article below for you...

Helpful Links

faq-tb-2007-2009-gm-full-size-truck-w-factory-installed-brake-controller.aspx

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Answer 1

Hi John; to install the Prodigy P3 #90195 all you need to do is unplug the factory brake controller and plug in the new one using the #3016. You can also use part #TK57HR which is the brake controller and custom wiring harness bundled together.…

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Answer 2

You certainly can bypass the factory brake controller on your 2014 Chevy Silverado 3500. If you just unplugged the factory controller it will cause an error light to display on the dash. But it is easy to bypass the factory controller and not get…

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Answer 3

Installing the P3 brake controller #90195 on your 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 with factory integrated controller will actually be very simple. What you will do is use harness #3016 which plugs into a port on the truck already. But you will need to…

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Answer 4

We can help you with this. When installing an aftermarket brake control into your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 that is equipped with a factory Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC), you will have to disable the ITBC first before the aftermarket…

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Answer 5

Yes we have exactly what you need. All you will need is part #3064-P. This will plug in to the back of the P3 controller #90195, and the other end will plug in to the plug you found under the dash. It really is that easy. If all you have is the…

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Answer 6

Hey Robert, yes you would need the custom fit install harness part #3023-P to make the install of your Prodigy P3 part #90195 as easy as possible in your 2014 Ram 3500.

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Answer 7

I think you might be on the right track thinking that your ITBC is picking up on ground problems that an aftermarket brake controller would not. In my research, I found posts on several different forums indicating that the ITBCs are indeed very…

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Answer 8

Yes, the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 will fit your 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500LD. It will plug and play with the factory tow package wiring using the Adapter #3016. If you prefer to not have such a large dash mounted…

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Answer 9

For your 2017 Chevy Silverado 3500 you can bypass your factory brake controller by unplugging it and then installing the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers #3016. This will allow you to easily install the Tekonsha Prodigy…

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Answer 10

You can easily install an aftermarket controller in your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 that is compatible with your trailer's electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brakes. The linked article illustrates the process of wiring in a EOH-compatible…

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Answer 11

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 12

What you describe is pretty much the procedure. You'll first choose the brake controller you're wanting to use. One of my favorites is the Tekonsha P3, part #90195 because of how easy it is to use. The P3 features a full LCD display that…

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Bypassing Factory Brake Controller and Installing Aftermarket Model on 2018 GMC Sierra 3500

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