How To Wire LED Tail Lights On a Trailer With Different Color Wires

Updated 11/18/2019 | Published 11/15/2019

Products Featured in This Question

16 Gauge, 4 Conductor Bonded Parallel Wire - Per Foot

(242)

$2.86

Trailer Wiring Junction Box

(829)

$35.43

Question:

Trailer red yellow white black led red white green brown can’t work out combination.

asked by: Bruce N

Expert Reply:

In order to replace the tail lights on a trailer you will need to know the functions of each wire on the trailer. I wish I could help you with this part but there is no way for us or anyone from that matter to know what colors represent what functions of anyone's particular trailer. The factory could have used non-standard wire colors or the trailer could have been re-wired with non-standard wire colors. Therefore, you must test the wires on the trailer yourself by applying a hot lead to each pin in the trailer connector and then seeing which light illuminates. The other option you have if the tail lights are not present would be to simply trace each wire from the back of the trailer to the front. I highly recommend using a junction box part # 38656 and bonded wire part # 16-4B-1 for the remodel as it will save both you and future owners from the headaches you are experiencing now.

In regards to the actual tail lights, the wire functions should be printed on the back of the housing but if not you will need to test using the above method. I have attached a selection of our LED tail lights for you as well. However, you must test wires yourself if you will be doing the re-wire as there is no way around this.

expert reply by: Conner L