Troubleshooting Check Trailer Brake Message on 2018 Silverado 1500 Hooked Up with 4-Way

Updated 01/12/2026 | Published 09/02/2024

Question:

2018 1500LT Silverrado All lights work on Truck, Trailer with 4 beg plug, brown tail light green Right turnand brake, yellow left turn and brake white good ground. My truck for sometime says check trailer brake, I plug my good wire 4 beg plug into truck. left side brown works yellow leftandbrake work. right nothing, wired OK bulb OK need help

asked by: Konrad L

Expert Reply:

Hey Konrad, thanks for reaching out!

Since your 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 is only connected to the trailer via a 4-Way connector you shouldn't be getting an error message about the trailer brakes - you should only be seeing that if you're connected with a 7-Way wiring setup and something is loose, or you have a poor ground.

You still might consider checking your wiring to make sure nothing is shorted out, but the best way to determine if something is wrong on the truck or trailer is to connect your truck to a different trailer, and your trailer to a different truck. This way you can at least rule out one side of the equation and know where to start looking at the wiring.

expert reply by: Jon G

Jesse M.

1/12/2026

Hey Konrad, what ended up happening when you tried connecting your Silverado and trailer to different setups? Knowing which side showed the issue could really help others track down similar wiring problems. Your update could make it easier for the next person with the same issue.