Bulletin No.: PIT5509F
Published date: 03/20/2020

Preliminary Information
PIT5509F Diagnostic Tip - Check and/or Service Trailer Brake
System message DTC C1114
Product Investigation Review Required
Models
Brand:

Model:

Model Years:

VIN:
from

to

Engine:

Transmissions:

Chevrolet

Colorado

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Silverado 1500

2014

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Silverado

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Suburban

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Tahoe

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

GMC

Canyon

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

GMC

Sierra 1500

2014

All

All

All

All

GMC

Sierra

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

GMC

Yukon Models

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

With Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system RPO JL1

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update the Model Years, Condition and Recommendation. Please
discard PIT5509E.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in
this PI.

Condition / Concern
Some customers may comment that when they have a trailer connected to the vehicle, they
get a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System" message on the DIC. DTC
C1114 could be set in the Chassis Control Module/Chassis Control Module Auxiliary/Brake
System Control Module.
Diagnosing these concerns can be difficult because the issue could either be related to the
truck or the trailer. This PI is to provide some additional diagnostic information for these
three symptoms:
- Check Trailer Wiring message
- Check Trailer Wiring message with DTC C1114
- Service Trailer Brake System message with DTC C1114

Recommendations / Instructions
General Information
The trailer brake control system on the new body style trucks is compatible with two types
of trailer brake systems: electromagnetic or electro-over hydraulic trailer brakes. The
Chassis Control Module K38 (CCM), Chassis Control Module Auxiliary K38A or Brake System
Control Module K160 (BSCM) depending on the model year, must determine which type of
brakes the trailer is equipped with so the system can output correctly for the trailer's brake

system. Because the CCM/BSCM has to determine the type of trailer brake system that is
being used, it can be sensitive to a variety of trailer wiring issues.
The Trailer Brake Power Control Module K133 continuously sends a test pulse out on the
trailer control circuit 47, looking for a trailer that has been connected, and also to monitor
for circuit faults. The way the test pulse reacts when a trailer is connected is how the
CCM/BSCM determines which type of braking system the trailer is equipped with.
Even after the system detects the trailer, it will continue to send this test pulse on circuit 47,
which now is monitoring both the truck and trailer circuitry. Circuit 47 continues to be
monitored for any faults so the driver can be notified of any issues that may occur within the
truck or trailer, as well as, to determine when the trailer is disconnected from the truck. If
the CCM/BSCM detects an issue, it will either display a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service
Trailer Brake System" message on the DIC. See DIC message/DIC below.

Electro-over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes
Electro-over hydraulic brake systems have some unique characteristics and here are a couple
examples:
- The electro-over hydraulic brake pump motor needs a minimum duty cycle of
approximately 20-30% to turn on the pump motor. If the user gain is set too low, or if the
driver lightly applies the brake pedal, the pump motor may not turn on. This is
normal. Pressing the brake pedal harder will help alleviate this concern. Always make sure
trailer brake gain has been adjusted according to the procedure shown in the owner’s
manual.
- For 2014-2019 Silverado/Sierra (old body style), if the system detects electric-overhydraulic brakes, when applying the brake pedal at 0 mph (stopped) there will be no output
from the truck's trailer brake system to the electro-over hydraulic pump motor. This is
normal.
- For 2019-2020 Silverado/Sierra (new body style) - the CCM/BSCM does not distinguish
between electromagnetic and electro-over hydraulic trailer brake systems. Meaning when
a trailer with electro-over hydraulic or electromagnetic trailer brakes is connected to the
truck, the CCM/BSCM will detect either trailer brake system as electromagnetic brakes. This
is normal.
NOTE: Certain Dexter Electric-over Hydraulic actuators (identified with TCV, TCB or CBH in
the first (3) letters of the serial number), were not designed to be compatible with the
integrated trailer brake diagnostics. The integrated trailer brake system will initially appear
to function without issue; however, when the trailer brakes are applied, a "Check Trailer
Wiring" message will appear in the Driver Information Center. Then, after multiple brake
applies, a "Service Trailer Brakes" message will appear in the Driver Information Center, and
trailer brakes will be disabled for the remainder of the ignition cycle. The integrated trailer
brake control system will report diagnostic trouble code C1114. A trailer installed electricover Hydraulic adapter can resolve the issue with the Dexter electric-over-hydraulic brake
actuator. One known adapter is the Hydrastar Controller Adapter Module HBA CAM 3817073, which can be installed on the trailer.

Testing The Truck's Trailer Brake System
In many cases, trailer brake issues are the result of trailer wiring concerns and they are not
related to the actual vehicle's wiring. Most trailers with these wiring issues do not have high
standards in relation to wiring/connections/splices/routing practices (see examples in Step 3
below) when compared to similar automotive practices for
wiring/connections/splices/routing. Because of this, the CCM/BSCM can set faults, which can
be hard to determine if they are related to the truck or trailer. The easiest and fastest way
to test the truck is to make a tester using trailer brake magnets. This type of tester utilizes
actual trailer brake magnets and will load the truck's electrical system, just like a trailer
would do without having to have the complete trailer. Shown below is an examples of such a
tester. The trailer brake system will operate with 1 to 4 pairs of trailer brake magnets (1
pair of magnets = 1 axle). It is suggested to make a tester where the pairs of magnets can
be added or removed to equal the same number of brakes as the customer's trailer. Also, it
is advised to make the harness long enough so it can be plugged into the truck's 7 way
connector and have the magnets placed into the bed of the truck. When the tester is
connected to the truck, the DIC will display "Trailer Connected" and GDS2 will show "Electro-

magnetic" brakes in the CCM/BSCM data parameter "Trailer Brake Type", refer to item 1 in
"GDS2 Data" section below . If so, the vehicle can be driven to see if any fault messages or
DTC's set. If none occur with the tester installed, the truck is operating correctly and the
focus should be on the trailer wiring or 7 way connector.

Making the Tester
Parts needed:
1. 7 way RV trailer connector (example: Pollak Heavy Duty 7-Way Part # 12-706) Qty: 1
2. Electric Trailer Brake Magnets (example: Dexter Axle Part # K71-104-00) Qty: 2, 4, 6, or 8
3. 12 gauge wire and terminals/connectors Qty: as needed
Connect two 12 gauge wires to the 7-way RV trailer connector: one to the "Ground" terminal and a second to the
"Brake Controller Output" terminal (circuit 47), shown below. Connect the other ends of the 12 gauge wires to the
trailer brake magnets. All magnets must be connected in parallel so each magnet wire is connected to the
Ground and Brake Controller Output wires from the 7 way connector.
NOTE: Do NOT connect the magnets in series with each other.

In addition to the tester shown above, GM has recently released a new trailer simulator tool, P/N EL-52641, shown
below. When this tester is connected to the truck, the DIC will display "Trailer Connected" and GDS2 will show
"Electro-Hydraulic" brakes for 2014-2019 Silverado/Sierra (old body style) and "Electromagnetic"
for 2019-2020 Silverado/Sierra (new body style) in the CCM/BSCM data parameter "Trailer Brake Type".
If so, the vehicle can be driven to see if any fault messages or DTC's set. If none occur with the tester installed, the
truck is operating correctly and the focus should be on the trailer wiring or 7 way connector.

If, after using either of the two tester shown above and the truck functions properly, you may follow the
diagnostic tips listed below to help diagnose a trailer related issue. Trailer issues are NOT covered under
warranty, but this information listed below can be used to help the customer/trailer supplier understand and
correct any trailer related issues if they so choose.

DIC Message/ DTC's
It is important to understand and determine what message is being displayed, as well as, if DTC C1114 is setting.
This will help determine what type of fault to inspect for on the trailer. Below is the combinations of
message(s)/DTC to determine the type of fault the customer is experiencing:
- Check Trailer Wiring message with no DTC. This symptom is caused after the system detects a trailer and an
open and/or high resistance occurs in circuit 47/trailer brake output circuit, during the same ignition cycle.
NOTE: It is normal for the DIC to display "Check Trailer Wiring" when the trailer is disconnected from the truck
while the ignition is in the run position.

- Check Trailer Wiring message with DTC C1114 (NO Service Trailer Brake message). This symptom is caused by a
short to ground on circuit 47.
- Service Trailer Brake System with DTC C1114. This symptom is caused by a short to power on circuit 47 or a
poor trailer ground.

GDS2 Data
GDS2 (scan tool) can be used to view several di erent data parameters in the CCM/BSCM for the trailer brake
system. The Trailer Brake Type and Trailer Brake Control Output Circuit parameters listed below can be helpful to
make sure the CCM/BSCM is detecting the correct trailer brake system in addition to which type of fault it has
detected.
To view "Trailer Brake Type" build GDS2 as follows: CCM/BSCM->Data Display -> parameter "Trailer Brake Type":
"Electro-magnetic", "Electro-over hydraulic brakes", or "Unde ned" (this is displayed with no trailer
connected). Example, shown below is a trailer equipped with electromagnetic trailer brakes.

To view "Trailer Brake Control Output Circuit" 47 faults, build GDS2 as follows: CCM/BSCM->Data Display ->
parameter "Trailer Brake Control Output Circuit": Okay, Short to Ground, Short to Power, or Unknown. Example,
shown below is a trailer with a short to ground on the trailer brake circuit.

1. Trailer Brake Type Parameter
When the trailer is connected, this parameter should be used to make sure the CCM/BSCM has detected the
correct type of trailer brakes. If the CCM/BSCM is detecting the wrong type of trailer brakes, here are
several examples that could cause this:
NOTE: For 2019-2020 Silverado/Sierra (new body style) - the CCM/BSCM does not distinguish between
electromagnetic and electro-over hydraulic trailer brake systems. Meaning when a trailer with electro-over
hydraulic or electromagnetic trailer brakes is connected to the truck, the CCM/BSCM will detect either trailer
brake system as electromagnetic brakes. This is normal.
- Refer to the "Trailer Issues" section below items 4 and/or 5.
- A trailer equipped with electromagnetic brakes on only one axle (meaning there is only one pair of magnets)
could have a fault with one of the two magnets causing the CCM/BSCM to detect the wrong trailer brake type.
2. Trailer Brake Control Output Circuit Parameter

When the trailer is connected, this parameter can be used to help determine what type of fault the system has
detected on circuit 47, which could lie within the truck or trailer.

Sample Wiring Diagram
Below is an example of the truck's trailer brake system with the two main circuits that
interface with the trailer brake system circled.
NOTE: As always, use SI to look up the latest wiring diagrams for the vehicle being worked
on.

Trailer Issues
1. The most likely reason for many of these issues is a poor/loose connection between the
truck and trailer 7-way connector.
- It is recommended to use a "Pollak HD" RV trailer connector, as shown in the latest version
of PIT5311. Pollak is the OEM manufacturer of the truck's 7-way connector. By using a
Pollak trailer connector, this will provide the best connection possible.
- For Model Year 2014 to 2018 ONLY -Engineering has released an updated truck-side trailer
connector that incorporates a stronger door/cover spring. This helps to ensure a secure
connection between the trailer connector and the truck connector. If the trailer connector is
not being retained securely, replace the truck-side trailer connector with the updated GM
part number 23404450, which has the stronger door/cover spring.
2. Shown below is an example of a 5th wheel trailer where the trailer harness has been
routed over the top of the tailgate and plugged into the truck's bumper connector. While
driving down the road, the trailer's wiring harness will bounce up and down (A), causing the
trailer's 7-way connector to lose connection (B) with the truck. The fix in this case was to
add the 5th wheel/camper wiring harness and route the 7-way connector's harness inside the
box of the truck, as shown (C).
Note: This same concern can also happen with bumper pull trailers if there is an excessive length of harness.
Securing the excessive trailer harness and installing the Pollak HD RV trailer connector per PIT5311 will help.

3. Poor trailer wiring connections, as shown below. General Motors does not recommend these type of
connections, but many trailers utilize these connections. These type of connections are not robust and are not
recommended, especially for brake wiring.

4. Trailer electronic sway control devices. Some trailers may be equipped with electronic
sway control devices, like the example shown below. These devices can apply the trailer’s
brakes to control trailer sway. These trailer mounted devices could potentially interfere
with the functionality of the factory trailer brake controller resulting in reduced trailer brake
performance, or even loss of trailer brakes. Depending on the brand of the sway control
device, the following behaviors might be observed:
In some cases, when the trailer mounted sway module activates, it could cause the vehicle to
set DTC C1114, and display the “Service Trailer Brake System” message on the DIC. This
could be an indication that the trailer brakes are no longer functioning.
In other cases, when the trailer mounted sway module activates, the vehicle could display
the “trailer disconnected” message, indicating that trailer brakes are no longer available.
Then, when the sway module ceases to activate, the “trailer detected” message might be
displayed which could indicate that the trailer brakes were available again.
Some trailer mounted sway control devices could also affect the vehicle’s ability to correctly
differentiate between electric or electric/hydraulic trailer brakes.
Before towing a trailer equipped with an electronic sway control device, the customer should
contact the device's manufacturer to be sure it is compatible with the GM vehicle.
NOTE: If a trailer sways this is likely caused by improper loading of the trailer, refer to the owners manual for
more information.

5. The CCM/BSCM is detecting the wrong type of trailer brakes. This is normally caused by
an aftermarket device wired into the trailer. The example shown below is an electric over
hydraulic-to-electric brake adapter. These adapters are used to make a truck that only
works with electric trailer brakes work with a trailer that has electric over hydraulic brakes.

Parts Information
Part Number

Description

Qty

23404450

Truck 7-way Trailer Connector Socket (ONLY 2014-2018 Model Years)

1

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the following
labor operation. Reference the Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) for coverage
information.
Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

2460100

Wiring Harness Connector Replacement Trailer Brake

Use Published Labor
Operation Time

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

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