No Trailer Lights When Connected to a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Updated 06/13/2016 | Published 06/10/2016

Question:

14493 four flat leds light up and have power when tested but when I hook up a load as in a trailer I loose those indicator lights and of course no trailer lights. I installed a quick connect and still have no trailer lights. I have grounded to frame and I have grounded to hitch, any suggestion would be amazing.

asked by: Mitchell

Expert Reply:

If you are using wiring harness # 118552 on your 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan or really any wiring harness that has a powered converter that draws power from the vehicle battery then you should not have a problem with LED lights on a trailer or tester. But if you are using a wiring harness that draws all the power through the tail light wiring only then the vehicle wiring may not be rated for the additional power draw, even from LED lights (if there are enough of them).

It is also possible that on a trailer with incandescent lights that if there are enough of them it can overdraw what the wiring harness is rated for. This will usually blow the converter box or fuse though.

Check the vehicle and trailer side connectors for any dirt/corrosion and clean as needed. You mentioned the grounds also. There are 3 key grounds in a vehicle to trailer lighting system. The first is the main ground for the vehicle's connector. Then the main ground for the trailer's connector. And finally each of the lights will have a ground. All of the grounds need to be attach 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