How to Determine if a Chevy Volt has a 2 or 3 Wire Taillight System

Updated 06/18/2015 | Published 06/17/2015

Question:

I have the Curt 55151 Converter wiring kit and Im wiring my Chevy Volt so I can tow a motorcycle trailer for short trips to the hardware store. I have been following instructions written by another Volt owner who said that the blinkers and tail lights are the only taps that need to be made and that the red brake light wire is unused. The Curt instructions say If using the converter as a powered module for a two wire system, the red brake wire must be grounded. Is my car a two wire system? Should that red wire be grounded?

asked by: Terry C

Helpful Expert Reply:

The easy way to determine if your Volt has a two or a three wire system is to check the taillights. If the turn signal is amber in color, you have a three wire system. If your turn signal and brake lamp on each side of the vehicle use the same bulb, you have a two wire system.

So, if your Volt has a two wire system you would ground both the red and the white wires from the converter to the vehicle.

I've linked you to our trailer wiring FAQ article

expert reply by: Mike L