Troubleshooting Trailer Running Lights Not Working on 2015 Chrysler Town and Country w Curt 4-Way

Updated 03/18/2019 | Published 03/16/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(685)

$74.73

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(65)

$13.35

Question:

Turn signals and breaks work fine but the tail lights will not come on. Using a Curt 56510 T-connector on a 2015 Town and Country.

asked by: Dennis

Expert Reply:

First thing you should do at this point is test the 4-way of the wiring harness with a circuit tester like # ALL640595 for voltage on all of the right pins when the taillight signals are being applied. Just like in the video I attached.

If the voltage checks out there but the trailer lights still don't function right then the problem is on the trailer wiring. That would mean that problem is either due to a ground issue or a short issue.

Make sure that the trailer side connector are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. The light grounds should also be attached 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.

If the problem is on the vehicle side then I would first recommend you double check how the harness is installed on your vehicle, make sure all of the connections are good and tight. You should check all towing related fuses and relays as well. What you described can sometimes be due to the converter box shorting out.

What you will want to do is test the wires going into the box of the converter box for voltage with a circuit tester like the # PTW2993 to see if there is voltage going into the box when the taillight functions of your vehicle are applied, and then test the output side of the box to see if the current is making it through the converter. If not then the problem is that the converter box has shorted itself out and would need to be replaced.

Before you replace it you will want to inspect the wiring of your trailer to see if you can find anything that would cause the box to short out like corrosion or cut/exposed wiring. These boxes don't usually go out unless there is a short on the trailer that takes it out.

expert reply by: Jameson C