Trailer lights dont work with headlights on...

[alc5m]

I'm sure i should prob post this up in the elctrical and audio section, but i'm hoping someone can help me out with this sooner than later, and i'm sure most people scope the general before audio, so heres my question, lol

03 z71 tahoe, i have the 7 pin connector straight from factory

i've looked at every fuse that i could find and none were blown that i saw

brake lights, turn signals work on trailer up until my headlights come on, same with if i put the parking lights on or the fogs

so i'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me as to where to look to solve this problem, pulling a trailer tmrw to move my buddy, so i'm hoping it wont go into the night but you never know

any help appreciated, thanks

 

[Rivieraracing]

Have you towed other trailers with your truck before? Did you have the same problem with the others? Do ALL the trailer lights not work only with the headlights on? Have you checked the ground connection on the trailer (where it's grounded to the trailer itself)?

 

[alc5m]

it started out being that no trailer would work, i had no power to the brake controller, found two wires that became undone from previous owner, reconnected wires and controller turned on

other trailers are the same way as this

and ik the wiring in the trailer itself is right because i've used this trailer 4 times this month with a seperate truck and it all works correctly

and yes, not a single light on the trailer works with the headlights on

i havent checked any other wiring than what was going to the brake controller and i visually checked the plug going to the 7 pin connector from gm, and that looked good, as well as no corrosion on the pins on my truck

 

[Rivieraracing]

Well, then I'd say it something wrong with your truck then!! Maybe in the plug on the truck is crossed up or shorting out with another circuit in the truck's plug!!

Need to take a volt meter and check all the prongs on the truck and make sure you get power when the circuits are turned on (turn signals, tail lights, brake lights, etc), then turn on the headlights and see if they all still work at the plug! I've never experienced the problem you are experiencing so I don't know the answer for you, you just need to check everything for voltage and compare it to when the headlights are on! Also visually check the trucks plug socket for any loose connections/chaffed wires again!!

 

[alc5m]

Thats what i figured someone was gonna tell me to do, and i had the thought of multimeter but i havent had time during the day to do that, but my hope was that someone else may have already had this problem, lol

i'm thinking its something to do with the parking lights, and not so much the headlights, cause theres no trailer lights when i turn the fogs on either

 

[Rivieraracing]

Just strange that turning on the fogs or headlights are cutting out all the light on the trailer at the same time!! Almost as if one of the wires in the plug on your truck are crossed or shorting out on something! Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

 

[alc5m]

dont sweat it riviera.

my thought is that the parking lamps wire is shorted out somewhere, i was actually looking thru the wire diagrams in the haynes manual last night trying to trace some fuses to check out, wouldnt have been able to see any wires in the dark, nor did i want to look, lol

but thanks anyways man, ha

 

[PwtrSS_OakCliff]

I installed customer hitches and wiring for Uhaul and whenever I had a problem like this I got a light tester. Turn on your running lights and check the lights wire on your truck. Check the left and right turn signal etc etc... Start where the plug will plug at and if it works fine than its your trailer. But you said it worked with the other truck. So I would just keep moving down on the truck on the headlight wire till it does not light up. It may be a short or melted possibly. I installed a couple of Voyager Brake controllers but not an expert on that. I first thought it was a fuse also.

WHAT I RECOMMEND THE MOST IF the lights worked before the plug is the PLUG itself. Get another one and check to see. It may just be the plug.

Antonio

 

[meye1she]

I'm sure i should prob post this up in the elctrical and audio section, but i'm hoping someone can help me out with this sooner than later, and i'm sure most people scope the general before audio, so heres my question, lol

03 z71 tahoe, i have the 7 pin connector straight from factory

i've looked at every fuse that i could find and none were blown that i saw

brake lights, turn signals work on trailer up until my headlights come on, same with if i put the parking lights on or the fogs

so i'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me as to where to look to solve this problem, pulling a trailer tmrw to move my buddy, so i'm hoping it wont go into the night but you never know

any help appreciated, thanks

Hi. I know you had wiring issues almost 3 years ago, but I'm having the same issues with my Jeep Liberty. Trailer plugged in ... all lights work just fine. Once I turn on my headlights ... I get the tractions control, ABS & ESP BAS warning lights on my dash that remain on ... and, all lights on trailer fail. My headlights still work though. Did you ever resolve your issue? If so, how? Thanks a bunch!

 

[YukonXL04]

That's cause your jeep knows it's too small to tow something! Lol jk

You would probably have better luck on a jeep forum to be honest

Good luck