2001 Tacoma TRD Extended Cab, Towing Lights

Been through this before, but want to make sure I'm not missing something. My Tacoma lights are working fine. The problem is that the right side trailer light brake light and turn signal won't work. The running light is good. I tried this with a portable set of tail lights with the same results. Last time this happened in 2009 I ended up replacing the wiring harness and that fixed the problem. This time the difference is I switched to LED Anzo taillights about a year ago and they are great. When I ordered the new wiring harness Part Number 43315 from Amazon after I hit the order button I noticed a note that said not for LED Tail lights. I think that when I ordered the Anzo's that they had built in resistors to make them work with the OEM wiring. I know that you shouldn't mix standard and LED lights so I think that if I get LED Trailer lights that everything will be compatible. So, what else could cause just the Brake light and turn signal not to work on my trailer. I keep hearing something about a TOW Fuse, if so where is it? Won't get to start on this until the new wiring harness comes in. Any comments/recommendations are appreciated. FLCoyote

 

I had a similar issue on my trailer. Turned out it was the converter on the harness that is bad. The converter is a lil black box that the 4pin connection comes out of on the truck harness.

I believe thats wat its called, the converter. These things go bad and are easily replaced, just cut old one out and splice in new one. These should be readily available at like northern tool and hardware stores at the towing stuff.

I dont know/remember if there was a way to test if in fact your converter is bad.

Keep in mind, this was how i fixed MY issue..........YMMV

Oh...i also swapped from halogens to LED and dint notice there was a difference...i still fixed my issue with the above mentioned converter swapped...no probs since

 

I bought the wiring harness that allows for the use of LED lights. Haven't had any real issues except when using incandescent bulbs in the trailer. put LED in the housings and works great.

 

I haven't heard that you aren't supposed to mix standard and LED lights. I just swapped out my reverse lights to LED and left the other brake lights as standard bulbs. Should I be concerned?

 

I've had led backups and incandescent brake lights for 6 years.

 

OK sweet. So nothing to worry about, right? I just assumed it would draw less power and actually be better for the truck.

 

By all means. Throw some LED's in there. Incandescents are 21 watts, LED'S are what 3-5 watts. Tiny 16g wire, 18 feet @ almost 2A. Voltage drop is around 2% with incandescents. About .5% with 5 watt LED'S.

Oh and remember when voltage drop happens the needable amperage increases.


I couldn't find a pair that fit. Been 6 years. Probably should look again.

 

I have LED all around, no problems

www.superbrightleds.com

even used an LED trailer light kit to replace the incandescent on there (harbor freight)

 

Yeah, that's who I went through. For some reason their brake/tail lights wouldn't fit. I'm sure it's been addressed by now, being six years and all..