Troubleshooting Newly Installed Trailer Taillights On Utility Trailer Not Working

Question

Question:

I have a 2018 Chevy Colorado LT 3.6L V6 and a small utility trailer. I just replaced the old wiring and lights on the trailer with a new Hopkins light and wiring kit #C6423. When I plugged in the new trailer harness 4 Flat to the factory connector on the bumper only the trailer running lights would work. Nothing working with the rear lights. I tried adapter #47340 to see if that would help and that didnt work either. I went back and re-read the light kit wiring instructions and saw the note that said vehicles w/ rear turn signals separate from the stop lights will require an electronic turn signal converter to install this light kit. Am I stuck having to re-wire the factory harness and splice in the converter kit I bought kit #46155, but havent done anything with it yet to get my trailer to work? Or is there some other plug adapter that could solve the problem? I was hoping that with both the 4 Flat and 7 Blade factory connections on my truck I could find a simple solution to this.

asked by: Greg

0

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help!

Your 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has combined wiring so you will not need to add a converter.

Since only the running lights are working I recommend double checking that the green wire on your light kit is connected securely to the connected to the connected to the green wire of the passenger side tail light, and that the yellow wire is securely connected to the yellow wire on the driver side light.

I did notice that the kit you have uses studs, the lights are grounded through those studs so you will want to make sure they are connected to a metal surface that is clean and corrosion free. If your trailer is aluminum, or has a tilt bed you will need to run a wire from the main trailer ground on the tongue to each stud to make sure you are getting a good ground.

If all of that checks out I recommend removing the connectors from the lights and with the light grounded connect the green wire to the positive terminal of a 12v battery and see if the light comes on. If the light does not come on make sure the incandescent bulb did not break, and is securely installed in the light socket.

I included a link to a helpful article on wiring for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

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Answer 1

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Answer 2

On a trailer electric brake assembly like the Dexter 6,000 Pound #23-105 you were looking at the magnet itself should be at the bottom. The arm that is attached to the magnet should then be located on the front side of the trailer (towards the…

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Answer 3

It could be a tow package fuse on the vehicle. Use the owners manual to find the locations of fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring to check them and replace as needed. If the issue is not a fuse or relay then you can test the vehicle side…

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Answer 4

First thing you should do at this point is test the 7-way of the wiring harness with a circuit tester part #PTW2993 for voltage on all of the right pins when the taillight signals are being applied. Just like in the video I attached. If the voltage…

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Answer 5

Testing lights on your trailer will require a 12V power source so if you are not going to plug in a connector like #H20046 you will need a separate 12V battery. Then use the negative post of the battery to attach your ground wire to and then and use…

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Answer 6

When wiring a trailer connector, it is best to wire by function, as wire colors can vary. We have an excellent wiring diagram on our website, I will provide you a link so you can look at it. If you are looking at the inside of the trailer connector…

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 12

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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