2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 Tail Lights Not Working and Brake Signal on 7-Way Not Working
Question:
On my 2001 silverado 3500 dually. I installed a flatbed and cant get the lights to work right. There are separate wires both light blue for the turn signal and brakes. If I hook them together when I push the brakes the turn signals go off. I also dont seem to have brake lights to the 7 way trailer connector at the vehicle. The problem is carrying back to the trailer. Can you help?
asked by: Josh
Expert Reply:
From what I have been able to find, the 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 had what is called a 3-wire system. This means the turn signals are separate from the brake lights. If the lights you are using are designed for a 2 wire system then it they will not function properly.
There are 2 possible options. First, you can get lights that do have separate turn signal functions. Second you can use a special converter on the truck wiring to take the separate signals and combine them to a 2-wire system (combined brake and turn signals).
For lights, I would just add separate amber turn signal lights like # ST90AB and attach them to the wire that only carries the turn signal circuit. Then the brake and running light wires would go to the lights you have.
Or, for the converter use # RM-732. This will take the separate brake lights and turn signals and combine them for the output side. You would then run the combined circuits to the respective sides of the truck.
The brake light function on the trailer connector is probably a blown stop light or CHMSL fuse. Use the owners manual to find the location of the fuses and see if they are faulty. The problems with the truck tail lights might have led to the fuse blowing.
![Michael H](https://images.etrailer.com/static/images/catg/people/324_tn.jpg)
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster Brite-Lite Wiring Converter
- Flat Tow Wiring Harness
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Tail Light Converter
- Universal
- Roadmaster
more information >
7" Round Transit Turn Signal Light - Amber
- Trailer Lights
- Tail Lights
- Turn
- Round
- Surface Mount
- Non-Submersible Lights
- Incandescent Light
- 7-1/8 Inch Diameter
- Amber
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
7-Pole and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Sockets w/ Mounting Bracket and Wiring - Vehicle End
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Roadmaster Brite-Lite Wiring Converter
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Review of Hopkins Wiring - Trailer Connectors - HM48847
- Search Results: hm38138
- Shop: Hopkins Tail Light Converter - LED Compatible
- Video: Review of Peterson Trailer Lights - Tail Lights - M426R
- Q&A: How to Convert a 3-Wire Vehicle's Wiring for Use with a 2-Wire LED Light
- Q&A: 2-to-3 Wire Tail Light Converter for New LED Trailer Lights
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Hopkins 3-2 wire Converter HM48847 Only Having 9.7v Out Of Converter
- Shop: T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Search Results: 48845
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Q&A: How to Wire 3 Wire Trailer Tail Lights
- Q&A: Troubleshooting 3 Wire LED Tail Light Installation
- Shop: Peterson Trailer Tail Light - Weatherproof - Stop, Turn, Tail - Incandescent - Round - Red Lens
- Shop: 2-1/2" Round Trailer Clearance and Side Marker Light, Surface Mount - Red
- Shop: Peterson Trailer Tail Light w/ Grommet and Plug - Stop, Turn, Tail - Incandescent - Round - Red Lens
- Shop: Optronics Trailer Tail Light - Stop, Turn, Tail - Incandescent - Round - Red Lens
- Q&A: Wiring Configuration for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195
- Q&A: How To Wire LED Stop/Turn/Running Light
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)