Towing a Trailer with a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Using LED Tail Lights

Question:

Hello, My 2000 Jeep Cherokee has LED Brake/Turn Signals that work properly when the HM42465 is not installed into the factory wiring harness of the Cherokee. When I install the HM42465 into the factory wiring harness when I depress the brake pedal the rear turn signal illuminates. Sometimes one, sometimes both. The turn signals work properly when I right or left at the steering column with the HM42465 installed. This problem occurs when no trailer is connected. Believing the problem may be with the 4 wire flat wire cut away the 4 wire adapter. I also connected the white ground wire to the same ground location as the factory wiring harness with no change.

asked by: Jeff C

Expert Reply:

The Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part # HM42465 is designed to be used with the stock tail lights on your 2000 Jeep Cherokee which are incandescent, not LEDs. It sounds like you have replaced the factory tail lights with LEDs which is why you are having issues. The only option you really have if you want to also tow a trailer is swap the factory incandescent lights back in or try a powered harness, the Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part # C59236.

expert reply by: Conner L