2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 Tail Lights Not Working and Brake Signal on 7-Way Not Working

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7-Pole and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Sockets w/ Mounting Bracket and Wiring - Vehicle End

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Roadmaster Brite-Lite 3-to-2 Tail Light Converter for Towed Vehicles

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7" Round Transit Turn Signal Light - Amber

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Question:

On my 2001 silverado 3500 dually. I installed a flatbed and cant get the lights to work right. There are separate wires both light blue for the turn signal and brakes. If I hook them together when I push the brakes the turn signals go off. I also dont seem to have brake lights to the 7 way trailer connector at the vehicle. The problem is carrying back to the trailer. Can you help?

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

From what I have been able to find, the 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 had what is called a 3-wire system. This means the turn signals are separate from the brake lights. If the lights you are using are designed for a 2 wire system then it they will not function properly.

There are 2 possible options. First, you can get lights that do have separate turn signal functions. Second you can use a special converter on the truck wiring to take the separate signals and combine them to a 2-wire system (combined brake and turn signals).

For lights, I would just add separate amber turn signal lights like # ST90AB and attach them to the wire that only carries the turn signal circuit. Then the brake and running light wires would go to the lights you have.

Or, for the converter use # RM-732. This will take the separate brake lights and turn signals and combine them for the output side. You would then run the combined circuits to the respective sides of the truck.

The brake light function on the trailer connector is probably a blown stop light or CHMSL fuse. Use the owners manual to find the location of the fuses and see if they are faulty. The problems with the truck tail lights might have led to the fuse blowing.

expert reply by: Michael H