1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Flat Tow Trailer Light Question

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Brian74-5, Jun 17, 2008.

  1. Brian74-5

    Brian74-5 K-nuts

    I hooked up a trailer light pigtail to my existing LED taillights on my 5. I plugged in to my 05 Ford F250's existing trailer light plug. The brake lights work great...when I hit the brakes on my truck while towing my existing brake lights come on on my Jeep. Eliminating the use of aftermarket magnet trailer lights. But the problem I am having is when I turn on the left and right signals both lights flash not just Left or Right. What did I do wrong?
     
  2. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    unplug one/both of your front parking lamps. You are getting feedback thru your Jeep turn signal switch.
     
  3. Grandpa Jeep

    Grandpa Jeep Member

    You are getting feedback through the turn signal switch, but I don't see where removing the parking lights would help. It's the brake light circuit that is causing the feedback. Try turning on your turn signal. This should uncouple the brake light switch from one side and eliminate the feedback. Of course if you have a self canceling switch, it might just cancel if you go around a turn.

    If you want a permanant solution that works seemlessly, splice a couple of diodes between the turn signal switch and the point where you spliced the trailer connector to the brake/turnsignal lights. That will prevent the feedback. This is what I did on my Jeep and it works great.

    I've also heard of guys who splice in a connector and either connect the lights to the trailer connector or the Jeep turn signal switch, but then you have to remember to change it every time you hook up or unhook.
     
  4. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    I just put a set of 4 wire trailer plugs on my rear wiring under the hood just unplug it and plug a trailer extention cord into the jeep wiring and the other end to the truck.
     
  5. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I wired in some diodes in the rear brake/turn and tail lamp circuits and it solved the problem on my buddy's YJ....
     
  6. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    while unplugging one of the front lamps may seem shadetree, it breaks the circuit and stops the feedback. On your Jeep they are easy enough to unplug.
    If you don't tow very often, that's how I would do it. (Still do today on my Jeep when towed).
    If you want more permanent soloution, do as the others say.
     
  7. Brian74-5

    Brian74-5 K-nuts

    Thanks everyone. I will try both and see how I like it. I tow fairly often so I might stick with the diode approach.
    Thanks again.
    B
     
  8. 1cdccop

    1cdccop Member

    Will unpluging the turn signal switch from under the dash work as well?
     
  9. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

  10. 1cdccop

    1cdccop Member

    Thanks. It works now! I didn't think of that one.
     
  11. mike starck

    mike starck Member

    That seems to be standard procedure.Diodes on left turn /right turn / tail lights. No feed back.Used to do it different MANY years ago but the diodes is the way to go.I actually paid the local trailer hitch shop to do my TJ.He explained to me that you need a diode in the tailight circuit because you have to have the switch on part way so the steering does'nt lock.So you don't get feed back into the dash from tailights.Works great,why try to fight a easy solution??? nickmil has it right !!

    mike s.