Trailer Lights Do Not Work with 2014 Chevy Silverado But Do Work with 2008 Chevy Silverado

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

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$137.84

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers

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7-Way to 4-Way/5-Way Trailer Adapter for Vehicles with Lamp-Out Sensors Towing Trailers with LEDs

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7-Way Trailer Adapter for Towing Trailers with LED Lights

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LCD Digital Circuit Tester

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Question:

New 2014 Chevy Silverado with integrated brake system...... Is the wiring sequence any different than a 2008 Silverdo? Trailer brakes that works with my 2008 and my sons 2008 will not work properly with the new 2014. I get a trailer wiring error in the DIC on the 14. Brakes work, but not lights. Works fine on the 2008......????

asked by: Ricky

Expert Reply:

The trailer connector on the 2014 Chevy Silverado will be the same as previous generations because it is an industry standard. Factory integrated trailer brake controllers sometimes will not work with electric over hydraulic braking systems so if that is what is on the trailer then that could be the problem.

The solution would be to install an aftermarket brake controller that is compatible with electric over hydraulic brakes like the P2, # 90885, using wiring harness # 3016. But since you mentioned that the brakes work but not the lights, this is probably not the issue.

The lights not working on the trailer with the 2014 could be some sort of compatibility issue if the trailer has LED lights though I do not have any cases of this being an issue. On some vehicles (German vehicles mostly but can also be on the new Silverados/Sierras) trailers with LED lights will not work without a special adapter, # C35FR, or # C57003. These adapters have load resistors in them that create more power draw so the lights will work properly.

It is also possible that even though the 2014 has a tow package that not everything is set up and connected under the hood though this does not seem likely. Given that it is a brand new truck, I would take it and the trailer to the dealer and tell them the tow package wiring is not working with the new truck even though it does work with the 2 other 2008 trucks.

To test the tow package wiring at home use a circuit tester like # PTW2992 if you need one. Have someone sit in the truck and run through the light functions while you test the connector. If it does work at the connector then there is some compatibility issue between the truck and trailer.

I have included a link that shows the standard pin out functions for vehicle and trailer side connectors. If your new truck and the trailer do not match up you will want to change one or the other to match.