Trailer Plug

smiledr996s · November 22, 2009

Hello, I have a newly aquired used 2006 2500hd . There is a preditor brake controller that lights up and appears to function. I went to use the trailer for the first time the other day and noticed that the trailer lights did not work. When I purchased the truck the plug was full of dirt and corroded, so I cleaned it, did not work. So I picked up a used one at a salvage yard, and still nothing. I read through the owners manual, and not sure if I had the correct fuse, but all looked good. Any reccomendations? Any know which wire is power? Can I put a test on the plug?

Thanks

steve

desrtrat · November 22, 2009

in the fuse box in the engine compartment, check the stud #2 fuse. should be a 40A ..it is located at the top right of the panel looking from the fender.. link below should help

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

good luck

smiledr996s · November 23, 2009

YEP, that is the one I checked, How do you tell if the fuse is bad, I am used to just looking at the translucent rectangular ones where it is obvious if the fuse is blown. This is my first GM, not used to these square ones.

thanks

Steve

c4cruiser · November 23, 2009

YEP, that is the one I checked, How do you tell if the fuse is bad, I am used to just looking at the translucent rectangular ones where it is obvious if the fuse is blown. This is my first GM, not used to these square ones.

thanks

Steve

You can use an ohmmeter to check the 40A fuse. Touch each end of the fuse tips with the leads and if the fuse is good, you should see 0 Ohms. If the fuse is bad, there will be no reading. But this particular fuse is only for the 12V accessory power terminal and doesn't affect tail or stop/turn lamps.

I think there are separate fuses for the trailer lights (tail, stop/turn, and even for the trailer brakes). Pull the lid off the electrical center under the hood and you should see the diagram for all of the fuses. Check the owner's manual for the location of additional fuse panels and check there too.

Bowler807 · November 23, 2009

On my old 06 I had a similar problem. My fuses were located in a pannel on the side of the dash just inside the drivers door. There is a cover on the side of the dash. Sure enough, both fuses were blown. Once replaced everything worked.

csheatz · November 23, 2009

I had a problem with mine at the end of last winter, somehow water (probably high pressure car wash) got into the wires on the back side of the plug. I had to go through and replace 3 wires, and seal the harness up really good. I had to replace the wires from the pluf up to the connection block up next to the spare tire.

What a PITA when you hookup to a trailer and expect your stuff to work and bam, nothing! turns a 5 min hookup into a whole wasted day.

smiledr996s · November 23, 2009

I found the compartment on the side, I will double check the fuses. I pressure washed the under section really well, as when I bought the truck it was solid mudd underneath. It was used in a well drilling business. So I may be on a long hunt. When you changed the wires I assume you had to repin the connector, any idea where to get those from?

Thanks

Steve

steiny93 · November 23, 2009

fyi,

the the 40amp is for trailer power, different then trailer lights

also,

make sure you have a good ground through the ball

csheatz · November 23, 2009

If you have a test light you can test the plug with someone helping you in the cab. If you have a wire problem like I did and its between the plug and the block under the bed, then you can replace the wires or im sure you could order a whole new harness from somewhere like gmpartsdirect.com. The harness should only be about 20" long from the plug to where it hooks in near the spare tire. I dont remember exactly but that seems right.

You said that you had to powerwash under the truck because it was covered in mud from the prior owner? I would check the wires between the plug and all the way up to the spare tire, chances are they got wet and are toasted.