Why Your 2017 Silverado Displays the Service Trailer Brake System Message

If your truck displays the service trailer brake system message, this indicates there
may be an electrical wiring problem within its trailer brake controller or module that
prevents electricity from flowing between trailer and truck.

Fuse problems are typically the source of warning lights, so locate and replace the
appropriate fuse in your power distribution center (fuse box) as soon as possible to alleviate your symptoms.

Brake Controller

If the “Service Trailer Brake System” message has recently appeared on your vehicle
display, this indicates there may be an issue with your trailer brake controller. Do
not ignore or ignore this warning message; rather it could indicate that your brakes
may no longer work effectively and that can lead to serious accidents should you
continue driving without corrective actions being taken immediately.

Step one in adjusting a trailer brake involves finding and accessing its adjustment
nut at the back. After doing so, use a flathead screwdriver to loosen its locknut.
Carefully turn clockwise until your component’s backing plate snugs against it.

Checking the fuse for this system, located in the power distribution center (either
under the hood or dashboard), can also help. If this fuse has blown out, replace it
immediately as you may experience power outages as a result.

Why Your 2017 Silverado Displays the Service Trailer Brake System Message

Master Cylinder

Master Cylinders are essential in providing sufficient pressure to activate and
release trailer brakes, so when they begin to malfunction you may see “Service
Trailer Brake System” appear on your truck’s dashboard – this warning can be quite
alarming and should not be disregarded.

An ITBC module that has malfunctioned is often the source of this message. Without
electricity to operate correctly, its functionality deteriorates significantly. One simple
solution to fix this issue is simply disconnecting its power source.

However, this method will fail if your ITBC is hardwired into your trailer. In that
instance, to disable it you must cut the brake output wire between it and the trailer
in order to stop electricity reaching it and thus preventing ITBC from activating
trailer brakes. Alternately you could try resetting your trailer brake controller by
removing its wheel and adjusting its adjustment nut with either a “star wheel
adjuster” or flathead screwdriver until tightening until turning wheel becomes
impossible, then loosen it again until free spinning wheel can begin spinning freely again.

Brake Shoes

Trailer brakes are an integral component of towing. Without properly functioning
trailer brakes, you simply cannot expect your truck to tow at high speeds without
incurring damage such as corrosion, seizure, binding or wire deterioration.
Unfortunately, however, many trailer brakes may suffer from corrosion issues which
lead to seizure, seizure and binding with binding becoming loose over time and
wires becoming worn and frayed over time.

Due to these problems, your truck’s towing system could display the message:
“Service Trailer Brake System”. This indicates that the trailer isn’t receiving enough
power to function effectively.

However, there are ways to address this problem. An excellent option is the trailer
brake tester – these can easily be purchased online and installed into your truck in
minutes. These testers utilize real trailer magnets which load the electrical system
similarly. Some can be connected directly to a 7-way connector on your truck so you
can test multiple axles at the same time or add or remove magnet pairs for more
thorough analysis of brake performance.

Brake Lines

Instead of using electricity to slow motion, this non-electric trailer brake system uses
hydraulic pressure created by its weight to slow it. Brake lines connect this pressure
to each wheel via a hydraulic self-contained braking system for effective stopping power.

A trailer brake controller connects to a truck’s electrical system through a standard
port, receiving power from its fuses and sending control signals to its brake lights.
Any improper connections or wiring problems could cause these fuses to blow, as
well as prevent it from receiving its full supply of electricity from the controller.

Knowing how to reset your trailer brake system effectively is key to avoiding costly
repair bills in the future, and thus it is essential that you know how to troubleshoot
this issue as soon as possible. All it takes is a flathead screwdriver, piece of
wood/rock, strong hammer and help from someone (ideally a friend). Once these
tools are available you can begin resetting the trailer brake controller.

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