Brake Lights Not Working When 2013 Audi Q7 is Hooked up to Boat Trailer
Question:
When the Hopkins Adapter #47345 is used to connect my 2013 Audi Q7 to my boat trailer incandescent, all lights running and turn signals work except for the brake lights shown on test LEDs as well. Do I need a different adapter?
asked by: Kevin
Expert Reply:
On the trailer side of wiring the stop signal is connected to both the left and right turn signals. Because your turn signals are working I don't believe that the problem is the Hopkins Adapter 7 Pole to 4 Pole with Tester and Cover # 47345. The problem is most likely that the trailer has a bad ground or the harness is being overloaded when you connect your trailer to your 2013 Audi Q7. The only way that the connector would be the issue is if it was damage in some way or if the connectors are damaged. In that case you might want to go with the Hopkins Heavy-Duty Trailer Coiled Wire Adapter # HM47065 which puts less stress on the connectors.
To troubleshoot the ground issue you will want to check all of the grounds on your trailer and make sure that they are secure and have a clean metal-to-metal connection. Any corrosion will cause lighting issues like what you are experiencing and even sometimes some paint can make weird things happen as well. You might also want to check to make sure that the ground wires do not have any other places where the wiring is exposed, bent, corroded, or damaged.
To determine whether or not the trailer is overloading the connector you can use Method 5 in the attached article to troubleshoot. This involves checking your harness for max amperage rating and making sure that your trailer lights do not exceed that amount. If you have a powered converter unit you can use the instructions to reset it, otherwise you can remove some lights from your trailer and see if that takes care of the issue. If it does then you will need to replace your trailer lights with LEDs to prevent overdraw.
I have attached a helpful article on troubleshooting various lighting problems that you can use as a reference.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hopkins Heavy-Duty Trailer Coiled Wire Adapter for 7-Way to 4-Wire Flat
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Single-Function Adapter
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- 7 Round - Blade
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Adapter 7 Pole to 4 Pole with Tester and Cover
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Single-Function Adapter
- 7 Round - Blade
- Plug Only
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
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