Brake Lights Stay on With Brake Controller

Updated 06/19/2023 | Published 06/16/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller - Dash Knob - Off-Road Mode - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(1693)

$290.00

Cordless Circuit Tester

(15)

$19.65

Question:

Just installed a redarc trailer brake controller in my 2016 Chevy colorado. Followed the instructions in the video on your website and redarcs. Now my truck brake lights stay lit even without a trailer connected. I need some help as this will drain my battery and I don’t want to have other issues arise if the controller is faulty

asked by: Austin C

Expert Reply:

Thank you for your purchase directly from etrailer of the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller # RED44FR. I can only guess as to the issue but can give you a bit of direction; when you disconnect the controller from your Colorado do the brake lights stay on? If they do, you can rule out the # RED44FR being faulty, and it is likely the 12 volt wire and stoplight switch wiring from the controller are shorting out to each other.

Also, it is possible the brake controller was not wired correctly to the cold side of the stop light switch. I recommend double-checking that and using Cordless Circuit Tester # PTW2979 to find the wire that only has voltage when you press the brake pedal.

If those things fail then the controller could be faulty and backfeeding into the wiring but that is the most unlikely scenario. These are just the best guesses based on the provided info as it's not possible to say with certainty what the issue is so hopefully this helped, and thanks again for your purchase of the # RED44FR.

expert reply by: Kyle S