Trailer Brake Lights Stay on After Brake Pedal is Released in Tow Vehicle

Updated 12/27/2017 | Published 12/26/2017

Products Featured in This Question

LCD Digital Circuit Tester

(26)

$26.67

16 Gauge Primary Wire - Black - Per Foot

(61)

$1.14

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5

(1104)

$7.35

Question:

My trailer brake light is always on. I depress brake pedal and light stays on.

asked by: Wes K

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a short somewhere on your towing setup. I recommend isolating the issue by testing the pin on your tow vehicle side connector with a circuit tester like part # PTW2992. If it is not sending power when you take your foot off the brake pedal then the problem is on your trailer. If it is sending power when your foot is off of the brake pedal then the problem is on your tow vehicle side.

Either way you will want to start off by checking the connectors from the tow vehicle and trailer. Make sure that they are clean and free of debris. If they look clean you will then want to move on to your grounds. Check them to make sure they are securely connected to a clean, bare-metal surface.

If all of that looks good then you will want to move to your wiring directly. Check the wiring that runs to your trailer brake lights and look for any places where the wiring is damage, bent, exposed, or corroded and replace. You can use 16 Gauge Wire # 16-1-1 and Butt Connectors # DW05744-5 to accomplish this.

Let me know if this doesn't fix your problem and I can help you troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Jon G