Troubleshooting Trailer Lights Not Functioning Correctly When Connected to 1982 Volkswagen Vanagon

Question:

So I am trying to wire up my trailer that has a 4 wire plug and the brake lights and turn signals are on the same circuit. I have tried two Hopkins converters both to no avail. One, the turn signals only work when brakes are applied and the other, the left turn only works when the brakes are off. Is there any other option? The tow vehicle is an 1982 Vw vanagon.

asked by: Drew B

Expert Reply:

It sounds to me like you are having a ground issue. I would start out by checking to make sure that you are grounding the wiring harness to a clean metal surface.

If improving the ground doesn't fix the problem, then the issue may be with compatibility. The converters that you are using may not be compatible with the wiring system on your 1982 Volkswagen. In this case I recommend going with the ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit # 119250KIT. This wiring harness offers a universal design and works with most vehicles, including those with multiplex wiring systems and ones using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). I have included a short video for you.

expert reply by: Leah S