Chevy 2500HD Horror Story

bridgekev · 08-09-2016, 03:09 PM

Bought the truck new to pull a 26DBH hoping for reliability. I got stuck on my way back from the Grand Canyon with ABS, Stabilitrak lights and a trailer brake failure warning. Took it in for warranty repair six times but have the same problem on every trip. GM refused to repurchase the truck they can't fix. GM customer service is no help. I will never buy a GM vehicle again.

jsharrimangraywolf · 08-09-2016, 03:22 PM

In my Suburban manual there is a section that says if an aftermarket brake is installed to not use the towing mode even though the vehicle has it. May be causing the problem?

Mr Havercamp · 08-09-2016, 03:38 PM

I am curious. What did the service department repair on the six visits for the same problem? When does the symptoms show up? Only when you plug the trailer in?

bridgekev · 08-09-2016, 03:50 PM

No aftermarket brakes on the trailer or TV. The problems started with 2500 miles on the truck, always when towing. I got a different story every time I brought it in. Rear wheel bearing play out of tolerance, trailer brake control module, chassis control module. Brought it in with the trailer twice and they looked at the trailer wiring. They would clear the codes and hand me the keys only to have it come back again, and again, and again, and again, and again.

bridgekev · 08-09-2016, 03:53 PM

The truck has an integrated brake controller if that's what you meant by aftermarket brakes.

DDC · 08-09-2016, 03:55 PM

Sorry to hear this, I have the same truck and it has been great. Hope you did not take it to there same dealer every time, cause if they can't do it on the second chance I'd take it to another one.

DreiHunde · 08-09-2016, 03:56 PM

Have you tried a different dealer?

Mr Havercamp · 08-09-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgekev

No aftermarket brakes on the trailer or TV. The problems started with 2500 miles on the truck, always when towing. I got a different story every time I brought it in. Rear wheel bearing play out of tolerance, trailer brake control module, chassis control module. Brought it in with the trailer twice and they looked at the trailer wiring. They would clear the codes and hand me the keys only to have it come back again, and again, and again, and again, and again.

That's a pita. I know what I would do. If it only crops up when towing I would reset the computer then try telling a different trailer.

rockfordroo · 08-09-2016, 04:01 PM

Find out what codes are being set. You can have them read at most auto parts stores.

It's my understanding that ABS/Stabilitrack lights will disable the trailer brakes, so I suspect there's no real problem with them.

Also, try another dealer. Is there a GMC dealer nearby? They'll work on it.

jsharrimangraywolf · 08-09-2016, 04:04 PM

Yes and how frustrating.

bridgekev · 08-09-2016, 04:23 PM

3 different Chevy dealers, 6 different service visited, weeks in the shop, stranded in multiple cities for multiple days. Brought in with all lights illuminated & still can't fix it. Done with this truck.

TURBS · 08-09-2016, 04:27 PM

Only with the trailer connected?

2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"
2016 nights camped "25"

DreiHunde · 08-09-2016, 04:35 PM

My 16 is currently in the shop with similar problems....those lights and a few others when I went to go to work the other morning. Waiting for an EBCM which is back ordered. I'll let you know the end result.....maybe that module is your issue as well?

bridgekev · 08-09-2016, 05:35 PM

It's happened only when towing. Codes were for both rear wheel speed sensors and for a control module failure.

Wileykid · 08-09-2016, 10:09 PM

Last time I towed my trailer with my '16 Silverado 2500, the trailer brakes would not work. All lights would. The backup camera also had an error. This happened when I was reconnecting at the campsite. After a bunch of connecting and disconnecting with a dance ,it worked. The dealer found moisture in the plug on the truck, including the camera connection. They replaced the plug and put a bunch of dialectic grease in them. Other than a couple of washings, it hasn't seen any rain.

Mark

mike.t · 08-10-2016, 01:35 PM

Reset the computer?? Do you mean reprogram the towing mode?

RollingDownTheHighway · 08-10-2016, 01:44 PM

I would try towing a different trailer with elect brakes or have someone tow your TT. It may not be your truck, it may be with your TT electrical system messing up your truck or maybe rent a truck and tow your TT and see if that truck does the same thing. If it only happens when you're towing our TT, it may not be the truck.

I plugged in a USB phone charger into my 1500 and it screwed up the entire dash. I was sitting in trafficel but the speed odometer had me going 90, and every light indicator was lit up like a christmas tree. Once I got home shut it down, and then started it up it was fine.

win · 08-10-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway

I would try towing a different trailer with elect brakes or have someone tow your TT. It may not be your truck, it may be with your TT electrical system messing up your truck or maybe rent a truck and tow your TT and see if that truck does the same thing. If it only happens when you're towing our TT, it may not be the truck.

I plugged in a USB phone charger into my 1500 and it screwed up the entire dash. I was sitting in trafficel but the speed odometer had me going 90, and every light indicator was lit up like a christmas tree. Once I got home shut it down, and then started it up it was fine.

X2 hook up to anther trailer
I have the same truck , no trouble with mine

Ham Camper · 08-10-2016, 02:08 PM

You need to get in touch with GM directly. I think there is a number in the book that came with your truck. I had a problem many years ago with a truck that was out of warranty. The fuel gauge went bad causing me to drive it even though the fuel tank was sucking fumes. And when that happened it ruined the fuel pump which was inside the fuel tank. Bottom line it was big bucks to fix. I called GM directly and after a bit of talking they said they would pay 50% of the bill. This was a used truck that I bought from a friend and it had ZERO warranty on it. I thought that was really good of them. I have owned many Chevy and GMC trucks and they have always been great for me. Would not own anything else.

Mr Havercamp · 08-10-2016, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike.t

Reset the computer?? Do you mean reprogram the towing mode?

Disconnect the battery for 30 seconds and reconnect it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway

I would try towing a different trailer with elect brakes or have someone tow your TT. It may not be your truck, it may be with your TT electrical system messing up your truck or maybe rent a truck and tow your TT and see if that truck does the same thing. If it only happens when you're towing our TT, it may not be the truck.

The trailer brake, anti lock, stability and sway control on these trucks is not a new system and has been in place in almost the same form since 2010. Its not known to have a lot of issues.

It is very sensitive to two things. First it does not like it when you plug in or unplug the 7 way while the truck is running or the ignition is on. A lot of times doing that will throw the computer into doing exactly what the OP describes. My 2015 GMC 2500 has done it once, and my 2013 Chevy before that also had done it. Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting took care of it.

It also does not like any voltage fed into the trailer brake system from another source, such as the break away switch. I had a moron pull my break away while still plugged in when doing my trailers state safety inspection. That was despite me specifically telling him beforehand to disconnect the 7 way before he checked it. That fired off the ABS, Check Engine, and Stabiltrak control lights as well as lighting up the DIC with "check trailer wiring" and "service trailer brakes" messages. A hard reboot by disconnecting the battery reset everything.

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