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Troubleshooting Curt Trailer Wiring Harness that Has Light that Stays On All the Time  

Updated 03/17/2026 | Published 03/07/2026

Question:

I’ve had this unit installed for about 5 years now. No issues. Today I used it as I would any other time during the day. I come home at night and see the rear drivers side red running light on on the tail light. I began troubleshooting. Once I unplugged the trailer wiring harness and used the factory plug the running light worked as it should. Thus isolating the issue to the trailer wiring harness and box. I later discovered my power wire near the box had disconnected from the long wire running to the battery. Fixed that. Still same issue with the tail light running light remaining on. Changed up the ground location. No fix. Could the trailer harness box have gone bad or shorted from the loose and disconnected power wire? Looking for some help. Otherwise I guess I’ll have to replace the whole harness and hope that helps.

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Expert Reply:

Hey Bob, I appreciate all the troubleshooting you did so far but basically the short answer is that you need a new # C56208 as yours has an internal short that isn't repairable. These are designed to "jump on the grenade" of a trailer wiring short and prevent it from making it to the vehicle wiring and causing more damage there. In a way these are like a one time fuse for trailer wiring. The loose power wire does seem to have something to do with it potentially as well.

expert reply by:
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Jameson C
Jeremy L. profile picture

Jeremy L.

3/12/2026

I have had this same issue with my Jeep Cherokee. Just to clarify, are you saying that the issue was found in the wiring of the trailer? I use the same trailer all of the time and have had to replace the wiring kit twice now for the same issue. Thanks!

Bob C. profile picture

Bob C.

3/17/2026

@JeremyL the issue was with the harness in the vehicle. I swapped it out for a new harness and it’s working find now. Due to the power wire being loose, must’ve shorted something out in the harness.
Joe K. profile picture

Joe K.

3/12/2026

Had the same issue with my 2015 Jeep Cherokee where one side of the tail lights goes out. Looks like a product defect to me or planned that way.

Bob C. profile picture

Bob C.

3/17/2026

This was helpful. I ended up buying a new harness for the car and switched them out. No further issues.

Jameson C. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jameson C.

3/17/2026

@BobC Glad to help!

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