Troubleshooting Brake Light Issues With A Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit
Question:
Turn signals work and no break lights. Hopkins plug and play on a 2015 jeep Wrangler. What do I look for. Mike
asked by: Mike
Expert Reply:
For your # HM56200 the first thing to check is to make sure everything is grounded.
1. The connector on the vehicle should have a ground wire secured tightly to a clean surface on the frame. A wire attached to the body or a surface with undercoating or rust can cause a ground problem.
2. The connector on the trailer should have a wire from the connector secured tightly to a clean surface on the trailer.
3. Each tail lamp assembly at the back of the trailer also must be grounded. This is done in one of two ways. The first is by a separate wire coming from the back of each tail lamp assembly being secured to the frame. The second, and most popular, ground is achieved through the bolts of the tail lamp assembly. In this case, the lamp housing must be attached to the frame of the trailer. If the lights are mounted on wood or PVC material, the light will not receive ground.
Next check to make sure each connector is clean and free of debris and there's no bent or damaged pins in the connectors. The pin that transfers the signal for your brake lights could be dirty or damaged. I recommend using # 11755 in the connectors to prevent corrosion and and water damage.
If the brake and turn work from separate bulbs, the design is independent. Vehicles will vary depending on the make and model. Any vehicle that has an independent bulb system must have a converter to “convert” the independent system to a common which is required on a trailer. A converter enables vehicles with independent brake lights and turn signals to provide proper lighting to the trailer. For this I recommend # HM46370.
If after all of this you're still having issues then the wiring kit you have may just be faulty.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Dielectric Grease
- LubriMatic
more information >
Hopkins Endurance Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- 6 - 10 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Plugs into Vehicle Wiring
- Wiring Harness
- Custom
- Tail Light Mount
- Hopkins
more information >
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