Trailer Running Lights Not Working when Connected to a 2002 Chevy S-10  

Question:

Expert Reply:

You can determine if the issue is on your 2002 Chevy S-10 by checking its trailer connector with a circuit tester such as # PTW2993. Have someone sit in the truck and turn on the running lights while you test the pins on the connector.

If you are not getting any power on the running light pin then that does indicate a problem on the truck side. If the trailer connector on the truck is factory installed then it could be a fuse. Use the truck owner's manual to find the fuse locations. Be sure to look through the whole list because there is sometimes more than 1 fuse for a given function.

If the running light pin does show power then the issue is on the trailer. It could be a ground or an overload situation. Some tow packages can overcome certain ground problems or are rated higher to handle more lights.

Make sure that the vehicle side and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

The light grounds should also be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If there is anything between a light ground and the metal trailer frame or if the trailer has an aluminum frame, tilt bed, or folding tongue, any of these things can interrupt the ground. Running jumper wires from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground can help.

To test for too much power draw you can disconnect some of the running lights and if the others start working then it was likely too much power draw for the S-10. Switching over to LED lights would solve that issue.

expert reply by: Michael H

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