Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring with Intermittent Connection of Chevy Colorado

Published 06/13/2024

Question:

I have a 2020 Chev Colorado with a factory installed towing package which included a trailer brake controller. I tow an Airstream 16foot Basecamp with it. Intermittently, after a few hours, I get a warning signal on my Colorado to check trailer wiring connection. The connection is tight, prongs are clean. Dielectric grease: would you recommend to put that on the contact points inside the plug? Or is that grease used to seal the plug connection so corrosion wont spread between the prongs in the plug?

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

Hey Paul, it sounds like it's not the usual spots which are the pins in the trailer wiring connectors so it's got to be on the wiring that is on the trailer or the truck. I would assume the trailer side since that's more exposed and typically more prone to issues. So you'd need to trace it back from the connectors to see if you can find a loose connection.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Paul

6/13/2024

Are you saying that one of the 2 vehicles is wired differently at the connector? Even though the failure signal does not happen until several hours down the road? You never answered the question about dielectric grease: whether it is ok to apply where the prongs make contact inside the trailer to truck connector? Thanks

Jameson C.

6/13/2024

@Paul Sorry I missed the dielectric grease question. You can apply it to where the prongs make contact inside the trailer to the truck connector. It basically can't really hurt anything. I would maybe check the condition of the brake magnets on the trailer brake assemblies to make sure they aren't showing any windings or excessive wear. It's hard to think of anything else that would get hot and stop connecting after a few hours.