Trailer Lamps That Will Not Work When Lights of Tow Vehicle 2011 Chevy Express Are On

Question

Question:

2011 Chevy Express with Tow Ready T-connector #118392. Converted trailer lights to LED 1 license plate light, 14 running lights and 4 Bargman rectangular LED combination tail, brake and turn signal lights. The van headlight switch has 4 positions off, automatic, parking lamps and headlamps. The lights on the van work properly according to the position of the headlight switch. Automatic headlights come on when it gets dark enough - when it is light enough and the headlights are off, the trailer brake and turn signals work. The running and tail lights are off as expected. However, when it gets dark and the headlights come on, the trailer brake and turn signals do not work. The running and tail lights work. The trailer lights work OK when the switch is in the auto mode IF it is daylight so the headlights are off. In the auto mode, the trailer lights do NOT work properly IF it is dark so the headlights are on. The result is that the trailer lights did not work correctly if the headlights were on REGARDLESS of the switch position. The trailer wiring appears to be correct and all trailer lights work depending on the position of the van headlight switch. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. We are supposed to leave on a trip Thursday night, April 10 so a speedy reply would help a lot. Thanks.

asked by: Jerry R

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Expert Reply:

So let me see if I've got this right... Trailer lights work okay when the the headlights are in the 'manual' mode, but not when in 'auto' mode, is that right?

My contact at Reese tells me that they have had cases where the trailer taillights behaved oddly. The cause was that the T-Connector was using the wrong plugs behind the taillight assemblies. You can test this theory very quickly by unplugging the T-Connector WITHOUT plugging the factory plug back in. If the vehicle taillights still operate okay, you have confirmed that the wrong plug was being used. Find another connector and try plugging in there. If the taillights do NOT work, then you have the T-connector plugged in correctly and the problem exists somewhere else.

Make sure you have the each connector plugged in on the correct side of the vehicle. The connector with the green and white wires plugs in on the passenger side. The connector with the white, brown and yellow wire plugs in on the driver's side.

A poor ground connection is also a possibility. When you have an insufficient ground, the trailer lights can do all sorts of weird things. When the headlights are on, the lighting system is pulling maximum amperage, which is when a problem would show up. If you have the T-connector white wire grounded to the inside of the van, make sure the ground screw goes through a point where two pieces of metal are lapped together for a more substantial connection. Check the ground connection on the trailer, making sure the connection is secure and not corroded.

If this problem began when you converted your trailer taillights, I'd review the installation. At each lamp, the brown wire carries the running light circuit, on the drivers side the yellow wire is the left turn signal/brake lamp and on the passenger side the green wire is the right turn/brake.

Please try the above, and get back with me to let me know what you find.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Trailer Lamps That Will Not Work When Lights of Tow Vehicle 2011 Chevy Express Are On

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