Brake Lights Stick Only w/ Trailer

[Larry Harp]

Firescooby's question about his trailer lights reminded me of a weird problem I've been having.



My brake lights on my Jeep stick on ONLY when I have the boat trailer hooked up. They will go off if I wiggle the brake pedal. It doesn't happen everytime and not at all when I'm not pulling the boat. Left me with a dead battery at the ramp parking lot one time.



So what up with that??



Harpo

 

[Robert Spradley]

Hmm, just a guess. If the the points in the brake switch are pitted, the extra ampere load with the trailer attached could cause a small arc, causing the points to stick together. I would try changing the relay for the brakes anyway. Robert

 

[Dewey Storie]

Harpo, do you have amber trun lites on rear of your truck? it sounds like you are getting feedback from something

 

[Larry Harp]

Dewey, I do have amber turn signal lights. What does that mean? Feedback?



Harpo

 

[Dewey Storie]

Harpo, on most systems with with amber lights there is unit that stops the brake lights from the trailer feeding power back into the truck amber turn lights. this unit looks like a small box, in the box are Diodes that stop the feed back. A Diode only lets current(12V) travel one way

 

[Larry Harp]

Dewey, Thanks for the quick response.



So, what should I do to fix it?



Harpo

 

[Dewey Storie]

Harpo, Who install the plug for your tralier lights? or was it factory installed?

 

[Larry Harp]

The plug was installed by the same folks that installed the hitch. It is a local shop that sells pickup covers, bed liners, and hitchs ect.



Harpo

 

[Dewey Storie]

Ok trace the wires from the plug to where they tie in your trucks system you will find a box or a round plug that ties in to your system it may have gone bad ... you can get a new one at Pep boys or auto zone or even U-Haul

 

[Larry Harp]

GREAT!! Thanks



Harpo

 

[Dewey Storie]

Let me know whatcha find



DeweyS