No Brake Lights After Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit Installation
Updated 10/22/2019 | Published 10/21/2019
Question:
2015 Jeep Wrangler everything works fine tail lights, turn signals, but no brake lights. Can a bad ground cause this problem ? Need help going crazy !!
asked by: Jon H
Expert Reply:
If I understand correctly that you've installed the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles # HM56200 and now your brake lights are failing, this could be few things so we'll go through some troubleshooting steps here. You can start by using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993, to verify you have voltage running through the circuits. A brief demonstration video on how to test with a circuit tester is included for more details.
If you test the brake wire (should be Grey w/ Black Stripe) and it does not have a signal, you may have blown fuse or relay. Check your owners manual to find which relay/fuse corresponds to your brake lights and change if blown. If you are receiving signal then move to the other side of the converter box and repeat the method.
The next step is test is on the other side of the converter and repeat the process. If you do not have signal then you have an issue with your converter box and you will need to contact the retailer where you purchased the harness.
If your plug is good then make sure your ground is connected to a clean, dirt and grit free, bare metal surface. Other ground causes are grounding to an aluminum frame, plastic or aluminum license plate or a painted metal surface. If your ground is to any of these locations then adding a simple grounding jumper will alleviate the problem. The final ground cause could be if you have either a folding tongue or tilt bed. Both of these types of trailers can disconnect a ground because of their movement.
Finally, if you deem both of those facets operational, then, it is time to look for a small short in your wire. Inspect the wire and look for bare copper. If you find that then use electrical tape to seal the area.
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