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Troubleshooting Trailer Tail Lights That Stay On with Tekonsha ZCI Wiring Harness on 2016 Golf R  

Question:

After installing and troubleshooting using an expert reply on this isuue the fact that the tailights stay on when the car is off, I can say the following: -when I program the car with the headlights OFF, everything works fine -as soon as I the AUTO position for my headlights, afterwards the trailer tailights allways stay on, even when the car is turned off and locked. It seems to me there could be a bug with the module and automatic headlights. Do you know of such an issue? As long as I dont use the AUTO function, the tailights turn off when the headlight switch is off and they turn on when the switch is on. Also, do you know if there are issues with the come home function, where the headlights stay on for a specified period of time after turning the car off? Thanks!

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Expert Reply:

We know from Tekonsha training on their universal-fit ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness # 119250KIT that this item is very sensitive to the initial setup process, which must be followed exactly for correct operation.

My technical contact at Tekonsha advised that the magnetic sensors in this kit are directionally sensitive. If one of these were clamped on in reversed orientation it would not function correctly. He suggested that you pull the fuse to let the circuitry power down and then try reversing the orientation of the running light sensor.

My contact had no information concerning the 'come home' lighting function.

expert reply by:
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Adam R

Marty

4/13/2024

I have tried correcting the same issue as the tail lights on trailer won't shut off. I'll pull the fuse for the controller and wait 10 mins and Reinstall fuse and lights stay off for couple mins and then back on. 2013 audi q7 is the vehicle and no lights selected on and veichel power off other than the power supply to the controller. Signals work proper. Tried orientation of connectors for the pickups and didn't make a diffrence. I also disconnected all the sensors and spaced out from any wiring and still turns on tail lights after couple mins of being powered.

Bob R.

8/8/2020

I have a similar problem. I installed the ZCI in my Audi Q5 about 3 months ago and everything worked as it should except I always felt that I was not getting full power to the 7 PIN connector as I had to set my Curt Echo to the highest setting in order for it to work. Then this morning I hook up and all of a sudden I have to turn the Echo way down to keep from locking up the brakes. I also notice that now my trailer running light are always on whenever the 7 pin connector is plugged in. The brakes work better now but don’t really want lights on all the time. All other lights ( stop, and turn signal work fine.

Etrailer Expert

Jon G.

8/18/2020

Start off by checking both your vehicle side and trailer side connectors for any debris or corrosion and clean out accordingly. If those look good then I would make sure that you are plugging in the Curt Echo # C51180 to your vehicle and then the trailer into the Echo. Some people have tried plugging the trailer into the Echo first and that causes problems for some reason. If that doesn't fix it then I'd start checking your grounds for your trailer brakes and your tail lights. Let me know if none of this works and I can see if there is anything else for you to try.

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