Troubleshooting Trailer Lights After Installing Hopkins Replacement 4-Way Connector # HM48192

Question:

Hello - I purchased the Hopkins Quick-Fix connector...and when I put in the wires and plug in the unit...then turn the taillights on...all 3 LEDs on the connector light up...and no lights actually work on the trailer...any thoughts as to what is wrong?

asked by: Andy

Expert Reply:

The part you referenced, Hopkins Endurance Quick-Fix Replacement 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector # HM48192, has LEDs to indicate the presence of a signal. Since your connector's LEDs are lighting up this tells us that the signals from your tow vehicle 4-way connector are reaching the Hopkins connector.

Since none of your trailer lights are working, the most likely explanation is a bad ground. Check the trailer's ground wire that connects to the trailer frame. This will typically be a white wire but you can check the connector to verify the wire that is connecting to the white ground wire on your vehicle's 4-way. This wire MUST be solidly connected to a clean, rust- and paint-free bare metal surface.

Sometimes a weak ground may pass enough current to let some of the trailer lights work, but when none of them operate it often means the ground is faulty.

If you have a circuit tester like # PTW2992 you can also test the trailer wiring downstream of the Hopkins connector to verify that the signals are reaching the lighting assemblies. Each of these lights also needs to be properly grounded to the trailer frame, either by its wiring or its mounting post, depending on the type of lights used.

The linked article will offer you additional guidance for troubleshooting.

expert reply by: Adam R