kdkrause
Redcliff AB Canada
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Joined: 06/06/2006
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I just picked up my 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD yesterday. I came across a thread a while back which indicated some owners of this vehicle need to connect a wire before the truck would be able to charge the trailer battery.
I am not an electrical guru so how can I tell whether the circuit which will charge the trailer battery is energized?
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BurbMan
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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Not a wire, but there is a 40A maxi fuse that gets inserted in the underhood distribution block, I believe in position marked "stud 1". The truck comes shipped with a blank in the spot, so don't assume there is a fuse already there. That's how it's been on previous models including my '01 but not sure if the new ones are exactly the same. Best bet is to check your owner's manual.
To check if 12V is getting to the trailer, use a meter or test light between the 12V blade on the 7 pin connector and ground and see if you have juice.
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D MAX
Canada
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Joined: 01/30/2008
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On my NBS Sierra I had to attach a wire to Stud 1 (when you open the underhood fuse box you will see 2 studs at the front of it. Stud 2 already had a wire which was for my Integrated Brake Controller). The wire for stud 1 was wrapped to a brake line & wire harness between the motor & the fuse box. No fuses were required in my case as they were already installed.
Cheers!
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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I believe on your 08 there is a wire you have to connect to Stud #1. It should have a tag on it and it will be taped near the stud. Do a search on this subject as there have been several posts in the last 30 days about this. Need to check out the brake controller wire. It is connected on Stud #2 and it may also come disconnected. There should be something about this in your owners manual. Do not rely too much on the dealer as they seem to be clueless about this subject.
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Scot
Maryland
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Actually, on my 08 Chevy, I had to connect a wire that was wrapped up behind the fuse box under the hood. There are 2 posts on the front of the fuse box (again, under the hood) one is small and one is a little larger (don't remember placement) but this wire gets connected to the smaller of the 2. YOu will have to get (I think it was a 6mm) a nut from the local hardware store to use. I think this information was included in the manual. I also posted this information back in the late February time frame if you want to try and search for it, there was a link in that post that showed everything...
Scot & Ann
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kaydeejay
SE Michigan, USA
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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BurbMan wrote:Not a wire, but there is a 40A maxi fuse that gets inserted in the underhood distribution block, I believe in position marked "stud 1". The truck comes shipped with a blank in the spot, so don't assume there is a fuse already there. That's how it's been on previous models including my '01 but not sure if the new ones are exactly the same. Best bet is to check your owner's manual.
To check if 12V is getting to the trailer, use a meter or test light between the 12V blade on the 7 pin connector and ground and see if you have juice.
Not true for the '08s - the wire has to be connected at the under-hood fuse-box.
This assumes you have the tow package with the 7-pin connector at the rear bumper.
If you don't have the tow package I suspect you will end up running your own wire.
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
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1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
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AVid
SE Michigan
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And with pictures: GM Tech Link
AVid
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skinnerr
IL
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To check if the TV is charging the TT, I would suggest that you make sure the trailers power is on….. I.e. check to make sure any disconnects are on. Then you can plug your tow vehicle in, without the battery on in the trailer – if equipped, and check to see if the trailer has 12vdc. In most situations you can turn on the radio or lights. If you don’t have power, follow the directions given by others. Hope this works for you!
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Delaine and Lindy
Linden Tn. (The View)
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scot is correct, following those instructions and you will have charging to the Trailer. GBY....
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2008 Chevy Equinox LTZ
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philaura
Boise Idaho
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Scot wrote:Actually, on my 08 Chevy, I had to connect a wire that was wrapped up behind the fuse box under the hood. There are 2 posts on the front of the fuse box (again, under the hood) one is small and one is a little larger (don't remember placement) but this wire gets connected to the smaller of the 2. YOu will have to get (I think it was a 6mm) a nut from the local hardware store to use. I think this information was included in the manual. I also posted this information back in the late February time frame if you want to try and search for it, there was a link in that post that showed everything...
After all kinds of advice and much confusion on this subject I took my GMC 3500 SLT SRW into the dealer. They did exactly as Scot indicated in his post and now the trailer batteries get charged. However, unlike Scot, I read the manual from cover to cover and it did not mention the wire - only a fuse. Must have different manuals out. The thing I find frustrating is that when you buy a heavy duty truck with a tow package, why doesn't the manufacterer or dealer make sure the darn wire is hooked up prior to selling the truck to the customer?
Phil from Boise
Nash 27 T pulled by a 2008 EC LB GMC 3500HD SLT 4x4 DMAX and Allison.
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