2011 Dodge Journey Driver Side LED Brake Light Not Working After Installing a Trailer Wiring Harness

Published 07/26/2018

Question:

I recently installed a new hitch and wiring harness for my 2011 Dodge Journey and went to purchase a utility trailer. I was hooking up the trailer and found I had no brake light on the drivers side but had on the passenger. Turn signal works and when I turn the headlights on the light illuminates but wont if I push in the brake pedal. So I pulled the wiring and found no power at the connector. Removed the wiring added for the trailer hitch and tried the light no power. Then removed both tail lights and swapped around for test now the drivers side lights on the passenger but the passenger light wont light to confirm no power. I looked for fuses didnt see anything and as I read my Journey dont have a brake light fuse. Any Ideas

asked by: Ryan P

Expert Reply:

If this problem is on the 2011 Dodge Journey tail light then on the affected light check its connector or any broken or bent pins. It is possible that something happened with the connector that is causing it to not work properly with or without the wiring harness connected.

Also, make sure you are using the wiring harness for Journey's with LED tail lights, # 118536.

If the issue is on the trailer tail light then it sounds like either that one light is bad and needs to be replaced or there is a ground issue with it (which could be internal). Ground problems normally show up when there is more draw on a system such as when you have the running lights on and then use another function like a turn signal or brake light but can show up any time.

Make sure that the vehicle side and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

The light grounds should also be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If there is anything between a light ground and the metal trailer frame or if the trailer has an aluminum frame, tilt bed, or folding tongue, any of these things can interrupt the ground. Running jumper wires from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground can help.

I have also included a link to our help article on testing 4-Way wiring.

expert reply by: Michael H