Left Tail Light on Trailer Goes Out when Running Lights are Turned On, 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Updated 01/23/2012 | Published 01/20/2012

Products Featured in This Question

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

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$47.71

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$14.36

Question:

Hello, I purchased the T-Connector by Cutt vehicle wiring Harness with 4 Pole trailer connector for my 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara. I followed all the instructions and got my trailer hooked. At first it seemed that everything worked. Both tail lights worked, and blinkers too. But the problem arose when I turned the Suzukis lights on at night....the left taillight of the trailer will shut down immediately. I double checked all connections and nothing. Please Help.

asked by: Alfredo G

Expert Reply:

The first thing I would check is the ground on the converter. Make sure it is attached to a clean bare metal surface on the vehicle. A bad ground can cause all sorts of problems and the problem is likely to show up once more power is applied to the system; in this case turning on the running lights.

Another possible cause is too much amperage draw from the lights on the trailer. A trailer than has a lot of lights on it could overload the converter causing it to malfunction. You would need to check the combined amperage draw of the lights on the trailer and make sure that they do not exceed the maximum rating of the converter: maximum stop/turn light. one per side, of 2.1 one amps and maximum tail lights of 5 amps.

You can also check to see if there is any dirt and corrosion in either the trailer side or vehicle side connector and clean them out. Also make sure that all of the grounds on the trailer are attached to clean metal surfaces.

You can also use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 if needed to test to see if the converter is bad. First test the wires going into the converter to make sure the proper signals are going to it. Then test the wires coming out of the converter. If the signals coming out are not correct, you know there is a problem with the converter.

expert reply by: Michael H