Archived Turn Signals, Brake Lites & Trailer Brakes Failed

[DMerryman]

Hooked up my trailer today and as I was driving away, I checked the operation of my trailer brakes before getting on to freeway. For some reason they would not grab. I tried adjusting the Tekonsha controller and could not get a fix, amber light indication. I did not have the adjustment instructions with me, so I took it home slow, 20 miles. Turn signals worked before leaving. Did not check brake lights, leg is not long enough.



Half way home I came to a stop light, applying the brakes and turn signals, the turn signal started to blink really fast then shut off. I pulled over checked the obvious connections and all seemed fine. I disconnected the trailer hook-up to the truck and still no turn signal nor brake lights. All other electrical works fine, Running lights on trailer, head lights, parking lights, lighter, dome light, radio, etc. . all OK. Checked all fuses in cab and under hood and they are fine as well.



Wiring harness? Or has someone experienced this same problem? I just recently had this setup installed [11/09/01] and am hoping that the splicing into my wire harness was done correctly. We just had our first rains out here and I'm wondering how long I have gone without brake lights?



Any help would be apprecaited. I'll be under the truck tomorrow.



Doug M.

 

[BV]

Dodge Wiring

I think you will find that the wiring in our Rams are to light to just spice into. The best solution is to wire in relays so the power for the trailer lights comes from the battery. I'm not a pro at this so maybe someone elese can help with the specifics.



Draw Tite makes a neat little box that takes power from the battery to feed the trailer lights. It's called a Modulite if your interested.



As for the turn signals - If you didn't replace the standard flasher with a HD one then the lights will flash real fast at short intervals. It is possible that your flasher is now bad and won't flash at all.



Good luck

 

[Phil Stuart]

electrical problems

Merryman,



From what you say sounds like maybe where the connection/splice was made into your wiring harness on the truck. . You said that the LED is glowing amber on the trailer brake controller in the cab so that tells me you have continuity to ground at the trailer and brakes. I have the Tekonsha Voyager controller on mine. My first check would be all the connections where they spliced into the wiring on the truck. You checked all the fuses you said,Just double check them to be sure. I take it your rig does not have trailer tow option?Let me know how it goes.



Phil

 

[catapultcv67]

When I installed my brake controller (Tekonsha) I had the steady red on the controller and my brake lights kept blowing the fuse under the hood. Called the 1-800 number from the manufacturer and the problem was that the Dodge provided hareness wire colors do not match the brake controller's. IE blue to blue and black to black is wrong. They were very helpfull and once I straightened the wiring out , I have had no problems. Hope this helps.