Troubleshooting No Power at Trailer Wiring Harness on a 1996 GMC Sierra With Factory Wiring
Question:
I have a 1996 Sierra with a factory tow package. It has a seven pin and a flat four pin connector. Neither one has power for my boat trailer. I checked the wires/connections for the trailer with a car battery and everything from the connector back is fine.I have checked all the fuses and everything looks O.K. It was working fine last year and I havent done anything different. My owners manual for the truck says there is an in line fuse somewhere near the fuse block under the hood, but I cant find it. Any suggestions? Thank you.
asked by: Klaus H
Expert Reply:
It sounds as if there may be a fuse blown in the under hood fuse box. Remove the cover to the power distribution box under the hood and check the tow package fuses to be sure they are in good working order, if not this is most likely the problem.
The 1996 Sierra did not come with a pre-wired 7-way connector but the wiring was ran to a point behind the rear bumper. As far as I can tell all of the tow package fuses are under the hood in the power distribution box fuse panel. I have not heard of an inline fuse near the fuse block on the 1996 Sierra Trucks.
Another thing that is often a problem with the 7-Way and 4-Way connectors is that corrosion forms in the connector causing a short circuit situation. Check the connector inside and out for white or green corrosion that could be causing the connector not to work properly.
If neither of these remedies solves the issue, you will need to use a circuit tester, item # PTW2993 if needed, and start testing the trailer wiring at the rear of the vehicle and work your way forward until you find the source of the problem, which may be a cut, pinched or frayed wire causing a short to ground.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Twist-in, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector for Chevy and GMC Vehicles - Vehicle End
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 7 Round - Blade
- Pollak
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Flint Hill Goods Adj Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 10" Drop/8" Rise - 5K
- Shop: Hayes Engage Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 3 Axles - Time Delayed
- Video: Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 1996 Chevrolet C/K Series Pickup
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Reese Pro Round Bar Weight Distribution w Sway Control - Round Bar - 11,500 lbs GTW, 1,150 lbs TW
- Shop: Replacement Head for Curt MV Weight Distribution Systems
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller - Dash Knob - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Search Results: brake controller
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Video: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller Review
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Search Results: 90160
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Search Results: etbc7
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Q&A: My Vehicle has a 4-Pin Trailer Plug, but Trailer has 7-Pin Trailer Plug
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Review RED24FR
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
on Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
