Troubleshooting a 4-Way that Stopped Working Aside from Running Lights on a 2009 Dodge Journey

Question:

I have a 2009 Dodge Journey. I added a trailer hitch and a plug style wiring harness for the trailer. Worked fine for 2 years now it isnt. When i plug in a trailer i get lights when i turn the head lights on but i dont get any brake or turn lights. I tried with 2 trailers to confirm its on the vehicle end. I replaced the plug end because it looked a little corroded. I get power between ground and the brown wire. i do not get power in the green or yellow wire when applying the brakes or turn signals. I checked my ground wire to a ground source and get very low resistance. none of the wires are shorting to ground. Im using a Fluke Meter. not a test light. Im leaning towards the power module being bad. The main fuse for the system is still intact. DO you have any thoughts?

asked by: Christopher M

Helpful Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are correct and the tail light converter has gone bad. Typically when there is a short on the trailer wiring it will take out the converter box of the wiring harness. What you can do to test the converter is test for the correct signal going into the converter and then see if the voltage comes out of the converter. If the correct voltage goes into the converter but not out then you know it is bad.

Check out the FAQ article I attached on testing 4-ways as well.

For a replacement wiring kit I would recommend the Curt Wiring Kit # C59496, but before you install a new wiring kit I would recommend you go over your trailer wiring looking for anything obvious that could have caused the short and fix it as necessary.

expert reply by: Jameson C