Lights On Trailer Dim When Headlights Of My 2007 VW Rabbit Are Turned On

Updated 05/23/2011 | Published 05/18/2011

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ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit

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Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - LED Display

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Question:

I bought the 119250KIT as recommended from your site. I've hooked it up every way possible that is listed. There is an answer to a question just like mine. If my headlights are on I get the brake lights on all the time on the trailer and the turn signals do not work. If my headlights are off everything works just fine. There was another question asked for a 2009 VW Rabbit. I read it and tried the suggestions and got nowhere. Can you please help???

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

If your 2007 VW Rabbit has a 3-wire system, your vehicle would have a combined stop and tail light circuit. To wire this system on your vehicle, you would need to attach the red stop light wire from part # 119250KIT, to the combined stop and tail circuit. Then attach the brown wire from the harness to the independent circuit. The wires for the turn signals will need to be wired in at the headlight assemblies at the front to the vehicle.

If your vehicle has the 2-wire system you will need to locate the wire that has a constant 12 volt signal. This will be the correct wire that you connect to. You will need to use a multimeter like part # PT89ZR, to test the wires and connect to the correct one.

It is also possible that your problem lies within the wiring of the trailer. There may be a bad ground connection on the lights of the trailer. You will want to inspect the trailer wiring for any cut, or frayed wires and any loose or bad connections. Each light assembly on the trailer should have a ground connection to a clean metal surface. Sometimes, the left side light will have a bad ground connection if a plastic license plate frame is used.

Another way to make sure the vehicle is wired correctly is to test the light functions on the vehicles trailer connector while the trailer is disconnected. You will want to use a multimeter like # PT89ZR, and have someone operate the lights on the vehicle while it is parked and the emergency brake is applied.

expert reply by: Reno H