Trailer brake message

[msutoad]

So they sent you a new ABS controller and it fixed the problem, or you have not gotten it yet?

I do have an open ticket with them about this ABS error and I suspect maybe mine needs to be replaced also. But I am staring to think the ABS error and the trailer disconnect issue are entirely different things. Apparently there is a fix GM can do for the trucks to fix the disconnect issue as this guy got his truck fixed and it went away:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_SfT4teJc

I have the controller but have not been able to install yet.
Hope to do in the next week or 2.

 

[bossman2024]

Ok, be interested to know if that fixes the issue. Does yours randomly give you the error without the truck even being attached? Not sure I got it when the truck was attached at all (just had the solar issue).

Mine is buried inside the RV, so not easy to access.

 

[msutoad]

Ok, be interested to know if that fixes the issue. Does yours randomly give you the error without the truck even being attached? Not sure I got it when the truck was attached at all (just had the solar issue).

Mine is buried inside the RV, so not easy to access.

I have to do a fair bit of work also to drop my coroplast to get to mine and swap it. Mine tracks the miles right now, but always show disconnected and it never worked right and some issues happened where it didn’t work when I locked up the tires, and so they wanted to swap it since even when connected to my truck it can’t connect properly and the app shows issues all the time.

once I swap it, I will update this thread.

 

[Wileykid]

So they sent you a new ABS controller and it fixed the problem, or you have not gotten it yet?

I do have an open ticket with them about this ABS error and I suspect maybe mine needs to be replaced also. But I am staring to think the ABS error and the trailer disconnect issue are entirely different things. Apparently there is a fix GM can do for the trucks to fix the disconnect issue as this guy got his truck fixed and it went away:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_SfT4teJc

The fix that GM/Chevy is/was doing for the '24, is replacing the controller with the older '23 controller. I had though they had figured out the software fix, but maybe not.

 

[bossman2024]

Yes, that is what it sounds like. Alas my GMC dealer is completely clueless and I suspect will just run through the usual gamut of 'testing' my truck and then trying to tell me my trailer is to blame ...

 

[Wileykid]

Yes, that is what it sounds like. Alas my GMC dealer is completely clueless and I suspect will just run through the usual gamut of 'testing' my truck and then trying to tell me my trailer is to blame ...

The service bulletin is pretty clear, and GMC has said, if customer comes in with this complaint, a known problem, replace it. If the dealer is clueless, maybe you have one near that will do it.

 

[reubenray]

The fix that GM/Chevy is/was doing for the '24, is replacing the controller with the older '23 controller. I had though they had figured out the software fix, but maybe not.

How would I know if I had a bad controller without actually losing my trailer brakes?

 

[bossman2024]

The service bulletin is pretty clear, and GMC has said, if customer comes in with this complaint, a known problem, replace it. If the dealer is clueless, maybe you have one near that will do it.

Do you know where to find the service bulletin so I can take a copy with me? I cannot seem to find it when googling around. Plenty of searches for it show up, but no useful results.

Grand Design is fully aware of the issue so they told me to get them on the phone when I get to the dealer if they are not clear what the issue is. There is supposed to be a software update they are working on, but as far as I can tell the folks who have had it 'fixed' end up getting a 2023 brake controller installed.

How would I know if I had a bad controller without actually losing my trailer brakes?

If there is > 14V at the trailer batteries, the problem with crop up. So if you have Lithium batteries that are in bulk charge mode with the solar panels, the brake controller simply will not work. You can get the same result if the batteries are low and you turn on the generator which will charge the batteries also. I believe it happens even with lead acid batteries if they are in bulk charge mode also.

 

[reubenray]

Do you know where to find the service bulletin so I can take a copy with me? I cannot seem to find it when googling around. Plenty of searches for it show up, but no useful results.

Grand Design is fully aware of the issue so they told me to get them on the phone when I get to the dealer if they are not clear what the issue is. There is supposed to be a software update they are working on, but as far as I can tell the folks who have had it 'fixed' end up getting a 2023 brake controller installed.



If there is > 14V at the trailer batteries, the problem with crop up. So if you have Lithium batteries that are in bulk charge mode with the solar panels, the brake controller simply will not work. You can get the same result if the batteries are low and you turn on the generator which will charge the batteries also. I believe it happens even with lead acid batteries if they are in bulk charge mode also.

OK, I have an AGM battery with a 370 watt solar panel. I do not have a generator.

 

[bossman2024]

[/B]
OK, I have an AGM battery with a 370 watt solar panel. I do not have a generator.

From what I understand from talking to Grand Design, the voltage from the solar panel is what will trigger it even with AGM batteries. If you are not having any issues when charging the batteries on a sunny day when driving then it may not be a problem for you.

 

[reubenray]

From what I understand from talking to Grand Design, the voltage from the solar panel is what will trigger it even with AGM batteries. If you are not having any issues when charging the batteries on a sunny day when driving then it may not be a problem for you.

I guess I will find out on my first trip in April.

 

[Wileykid]

Do you know where to find the service bulletin so I can take a copy with me? I cannot seem to find it when googling around. Plenty of searches for it show up, but no useful results.

Grand Design is fully aware of the issue so they told me to get them on the phone when I get to the dealer if they are not clear what the issue is. There is supposed to be a software update they are working on, but as far as I can tell the folks who have had it 'fixed' end up getting a 2023 brake controller installed.

Reference: https://www.gm-trucks.com/service-t...3-or-2024-chevy-gmc-may-display-this-message/

Actual bulletin: #23-NA-149

If the dealer is clueless, call GMC, talk to a service rep and open a case.

 

[Wileykid]

How would I know if I had a bad controller without actually losing my trailer brakes?

You have a '23, which does not have this issue. I have a '23, and my trailer has solar and a generator, no problems so far in the 7,000 miles pulling it with the Chevy.

The fix is replacing the bad controllers in the '24 with the good one you have in your truck.

*GMC/Chevy changed the electrical system in the '24's

 

[reubenray]

You have a '23, which does not have this issue. I have a '23, and my trailer has solar and a generator, no problems so far in the 7,000 miles pulling it with the Chevy.

The fix is replacing the bad controllers in the '24 with the good one you have in your truck.

*GMC/Chevy changed the electrical system in the '24's

Great info - thanks!

 

[msutoad]

I have to do a fair bit of work also to drop my coroplast to get to mine and swap it. Mine tracks the miles right now, but always show disconnected and it never worked right and some issues happened where it didn’t work when I locked up the tires, and so they wanted to swap it since even when connected to my truck it can’t connect properly and the app shows issues all the time.

once I swap it, I will update this thread.

OK, I dropped the corroplast in front of the roadside front wheel between the landing gear and the leaf spring mount. Getting the 4 self tapping bolts out was great fun with all the non-sense in the way. I was able to get the unit out, and the new unit in. The new unit paired SO MUCH faster than the old unit and it seems to operate a little differently than the old unit. I wont know anymore details until I do my next pull which is in 2.5 weeks (to FL from NC). I will update the thread then again. Basically, this ABS box is on the outside frame rail, with the self tapping portion of the bolts facing the ROAD for it to have been installed properly on my Momentum, which it was.

Hope that helps for now. More to come once I get some miles on it.

 

[NAKemp]

Last I heard, the current factory fix is replacing the '24 brake controller with a '23 one.

I have a 23 and getting the brake error message. Even tried a module from pullrite for the electric over hydraulic actuator.

 

[reubenray]

I forgot about this, but my 2023 had no error messages on my multi-day maiden trip.

 

[Wileykid]

I have a 23 and getting the brake error message. Even tried a module from pullrite for the electric over hydraulic actuator.

I have pulled my trailer with EOH, with my '23 over 8K miles so far, and no issues. The dealer can plug a trailer simulator into the truck, and may find the issue. Have you tried pulling a different trailer, and see if you have a problem, or had a different truck pull yours and see if they have any issues. One way of possibly isolating where the problem could be.

 

[bossman2024]

I got rid of my GMC but the fix for me was to install a one way diode on the charge lead from the truck so the camper voltage can’t feed the 14.4V to the truck which is what confuses it and shuts off the brake controller. No issues since doing that for quite a few trips. I have an F350 now and it complains that the trailer is not charging. lol.

I had the tailgate issue on my GMC where it came down randomly while driving if it’s raining hard. Supposedly my truck was one of the ‘good’ ones, but clearly it was not. That and all the stupidity to flat tow it behind my motorhome was enough to get me to trade it …

 

[NAKemp]

There was a brake control module issue on the 2024s that would do this if it detected a higher voltage from the trailer than from the truck charging system. This would commonly happen when the trailer has solar power or a running generator. This has been solved with an updated trailer brake control module for the 2024s. You can also fix the issue by wiring in a diode so the 12v from the trailer can't feed back to the truck.

Not sure if you have a late build 2023 and/or if they ever used the problematic module on any 2023s, but it sounds exactly like the issue many of us 2024 owners had.

Just had the module from pullrite installed with no success then the diode today with no success and because my truck is an early 23 they won't do what the service bulletin says. If this dealer doesn't take care of the problem then I'll take it to the next one.