A Jeep Grand Cherokee trailer light is an essential part of your vehicle. They are used to illuminate the road and help other motorists see you in the dark. They are also vital in communicating your intentions, such as indicating turns or braking. This is why it is vital to know how to activate trailer lights on Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Trailer lights are designed to work with your Jeep’s electrical system and meet current safety standards. There are two types of trailer lights on the market today: wired and plug-and-play. Wired trailer lights operate through an adapter cable that plugs into one of your vehicle’s existing wiring harnesses. Plug-and-play trailer lights do not require an adapter cable; they simply plug directly into one of your vehicle’s existing electrical ports.
The most important thing about trailer lights is that they must be installed correctly for maximum effectiveness. If you install them incorrectly, they won’t work properly. This guide will show you how to activate and install trailer lights on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. So, Read on.
What are Trailer Lights
Trailer lights are lights on the front of a vehicle, attached to the front bumper, and used to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle. They may brighten a parking space or help other drivers see you when you are backing up.
Trailer lights come in many shapes and sizes. Some trailers have only a single light; others have multiple lights that can be controlled separately, such as red and blue or flashing red lights.
Trailers usually have two types of trailer lights:
The brake light is usually red or amber and located on the rear edge of your trailer near where it attaches to your vehicle’s bumper. This is what most people think of when they think about trailer lights. Brake lights are designed to indicate whether your brakes are working correctly or not so that other drivers can easily see.
A turn signal light is usually yellow and mounted above the rear tires of your trailer so that it can be seen by other drivers when you need them to change lanes or stop before turning onto another road.
Reasons to Activate Your Jeep Trailer Lights
There are many reasons to activate your Jeep trailer lights, but here are just a few of the most common:
- First, it can help others see you at night when you’re on the road. If you have a blue light mounted in the front of your Jeep, activating it will make your trailer easier to spot from a distance.
- Second, activating your trailer lights helps maintain good visibility in your rearview mirror. If you don’t activate them, other drivers may not see that they are there and could mistake them for taillights or brake lights.
- Third, activating your Jeep trailer lights will help other drivers know where you are coming from and going by giving off a bright glow in the dark.
- You want to be seen by other drivers.
- You want to make sure that you can see the road in front of you.
- You want to make sure that other drivers can see you when they pass you.
- You want to make sure that other drivers can see where they should stop when they pull out in front of you (especially if they are pulling out from a parking lot).
- You want to make sure that other drivers know how far ahead of time it is safe for them to pull out from behind your car. This helps them not to block your path or hit your back end when pulling out from behind oncoming traffic or turning left into an intersection.
How to Activate Trailer Lights on a Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a trailer towing package that includes an integrated trailer brake controller and a trailer turn signal. The controller can be programmed to operate the trailer brakes, but it also has a “trailer brake off” feature that activates the trailer turn signals when the vehicle is in park.
If you are wondering how to activate trailer lights on Jeep Grand Cherokee, you can program this feature by following these steps:
Step 1:
Start your vehicle with your parking brake set, turn on your headlights, and use your high beams. Turn on your check engine light if you have already done so.
Step 2:
Place your foot on the brake pedal and hold it down.
Step 3:
Turn the key to LOCK, then rotate it to the ON position. (If you have a push-button start, wait until you hear an audible click before turning the key.)
Press and hold the TOWING button until you see “TOWING” appear on the screen (this may take approximately one minute).
Step 4:
Press and hold the Trailer Light switch while rotating your steering wheel to the left or right to turn on the appropriate headlight(s).
Press and release the brake pedal twice within three seconds while pressing the gas pedal down to start your vehicle.
Step 5:
Release your foot from your brake pedal and release your hand from the switch when you are satisfied with how they light up.
Step 6:
Verify that all four taillights are illuminated by pressing your brake pedal again within three seconds while pressing the gas pedal down to start your vehicle.
Installing Trailer Lights on a Jeep Grand Cherokee
If your Jeep doesn’t have provision for trail lights, you will need to install a pair from the rear lights. So, how do you activate trailer lights on Jeep Grand Cherokee? You need to follow the next steps:
Step 1:
Park your Jeep on a flat surface with the tailgate down.
Step 2:
Turn off the ignition and remove the key from the ignition.
Step 3:
Close all doors and lock them.
Step 4:
Lift the tailgate and ensure it is well supported to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your work.
Step 5:
Remove both of your Jeep’s rear lights by unscrewing them from their mounting points, then pull them out of their sockets in your Jeep’s bodywork. Several different types of lights are available for your Grand Cherokee, including one- or two-bulb sets that include lenses, reflectors, and bulbs.
Depending on which type you choose to install, you’ll need to make sure that both bulbs are identical when putting them back in because they’re wired together at their bases, so they can’t be swapped between vehicles if they aren’t exactly alike.
Step 6:
Remove the electrical connector from the battery to the light and fix a bypass connector harness with two ends. One end goes back to the rear light, while the other has a wire you will pass through the vehicle’s rear bumper to connect to a trailer light.
Step 7:
Repeat step 6 above with the second rear light and pass the wire until it meets with the first one. Remember to ground the white wire by drilling it with a screw on the metal plate behind the light.
Step 8:
Fix back the lights in their place, and you can test whether the tail lights are working. Prolong the wires and fix a CURT connector harness at the end.
Step 9:
Since you have used a CURT connector, you will need the car’s computer flushed at a certified dealership to work with the connector. They will do this a just a minimal fee.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailer Light Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting trailer light issues can be challenging to do alone. You’ll want to make sure you’re safe and secure before you start working on your trailer. The first step is to get the proper equipment and safety gear for the job.
Here are some things that can cause trailer lights not to work:
- The bulb is burned out or has gone bad.
- The fuse is blown (or a fuse has been pulled).
- The circuit breaker has tripped (or there is a problem with the switch).
- There is a problem with the electrical wiring.
If you’re having trouble with your trailer lights, here’s a quick guide to troubleshooting the problem.
First, check the fuse. If it’s OK and you still have power to the light, try replacing it. If it isn’t working and your battery voltage is suitable (12V), there could be a broken wire in the circuit. Check all wiring connections, especially at the back of your trailer where it connects to your truck.
If you’ve checked all your wiring connections and still don’t have power to the light, there could be a loose connection on one of your fuses or relays. Check them out with an ohmmeter; if they are good, you need not worry. Replace them if needed.
If the trailer lights don’t work after all these trials, it can be an issue with the circuit system of the Jeep. You will need to take it to a certified mechanic for diagnosis. The mech will look for the vehicle’s problem and fix it. It is essential to avoid messing up the car even more if you don’t know what the problem is.
Also Read: Jeep Trail Rated Vs Non-Trail Rated: The Best Choice
Final Word
With the knowledge gained from this guide, you now know how to activate trailer lights on Jeep Grand Cherokee. You should be able to safely and confidently add trailer lights to your ride. Hopefully, this guide has given you the tools you need to complete the task without hesitation. Ultimately, though, the choice is yours.
Once you know how to do so, the process is straightforward. It will take approximately two minutes to activate trailer lights and about 10-20 minutes to install and connect them.
It’s a good idea to consult the owner’s manual before beginning this procedure. Once you have identified which wires to tap into for power, you’ll find that you can access them easily behind your tail lights. All the best.
