Newly Installed LED Trailer Lights Go Out When Brake Pedal is Pressed

Updated 04/07/2015 | Published 04/05/2015

Question:

I have a 04 silverado 2500 . I purchased led taillights to install on my shasta trailer,the incadesant taillights function as they should but the marker lights do not work.when I try to wire the new LED taillights I have blinker and running lights but when I press the brake pedal all lights go out.i have swapped the red and black wires on the LED lights on the harness brown and green since I was working on the right taillight.

asked by: Brent T

Helpful Expert Reply:

This sounds like a ground issue. 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.

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.

expert reply by: Michael H