Brake/Hazard Lights on 1996 Chevrolet C/K Series Pickup Do Not Work After Brake Controller Install

Question:

I had my tekonsha primus iq installed at trailer hitch place. Now I dont have brake light or hazard light when I put on the hazard Light they dont work but if I step on the brake they will work can you please help me this is on a 1996 Chevy 1500

asked by: Chuck S

Expert Reply:

This is an unusual issue that seems to be related to the installation method rather than the brake controller.

My technical contact at Tekonsha advised that he has seen it happen when quick-splice connectors are used (rather than the more secure butt connectors) that these quick-splice fasteners go all the way through the wire itself, severing it, rather than just cutting through the insulation layer. It could be that your installer may have used these connectors and when clamping them down may have applied too much pressure and damaged the brake signal wire.

If you cannot return the truck to the installer for them to correct this issue you might examine the hard-wired connection under the dash to the controller's RED wire and try making better connections with butt-type connectors like # DW05743-5. This red wire carries the brake light switch signal to tell the controller to generate a signal for the trailer brakes.

I have linked a brake controller troubleshooting article for your reference.

expert reply by: Adam R