Troubleshooting Tow Package Wiring of 2001 Chevy Silverado

Updated 04/30/2015 | Published 04/29/2015

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Question:

Tow vehicle: 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4 Connector: 7pin I have three utility trailers and my trailer brake lights quit working. Parking and turn signal lights all seem to work properly and truck lights all work properly. I have same problem regardless of what trailer I hook up to. So the problem is with the truck. I took it to a local trailer repair place and they hooked up a test meter of some sort at the tow vehicle 7pin connector. The technician seems to think the problem is actually in the truck turn signal switch. The unit that controls turn signals, cruise control, wipers, emergency flashers, etc. they dont work on this sort of thing.... But said that most all light signal travels through this switch. Before I purchase the $200 turn switch and tear out my dash and steering column to replace it..... I thought I would ask here if this solution sounds probable?

asked by: Jon L

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since the truck lights are working okay, I'd sincerely doubt the problem lies with the turn signal stalk assembly. If this WERE the problem, the brake lamps on the truck wouldn't work either.

My guess is that there's a problem somewhere in the tow package wiring. I'd recommend going into the fuse box in the engine compartment and checking the following fuses- STOP LP, CHMSL and VEH STOP.

If these fuses aren't blown, the problem would lie somewhere else in the tow package. Rather than spending lots of money trying to track down the gremlin in the tow package wiring of a 14 year old vehicle, I'd probably just cut my losses at this point and bypass the tow package.

You can do this by installing a taillight converter, part # C59496. You'd cut the wires for the lighting circuits leading to the 7-way, and cap them off. The input wires of the # C59496 would tap into the taillight circuits (green to right turn, yellow to left, brown to running lamps). You'd then cut the 4-pole off the output side and run them to the 7-way.

I'll link you to our Trailer Wiring FAQ article that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L