Trailer Lighting

Backup Lamps 

For backup lamp operation, the trailer backup lamps relay is supplied with battery voltage at all times. With the engine running and the transmission in the reverse position, the transmission control module (TCM) sends a serial data message to the body control module (BCM). The message indicates that the gear selector is in the reverse position. The BCM responds to the backup lamp request by energizing the trailer backup lamps relay by applying battery voltage to the trailer backup lamps relay control circuit. When the trailer backup lamps relay is energized, the relay switch contacts close and battery voltage is applied through the backup lamp fuse to the trailer backup lamps control circuit which illuminates the trailer backup lamps. Once the driver moves the gear selector out of the reverse position, a message is sent by the TCM via serial data requesting the BCM to remove battery voltage from the trailer backup lamps relay control circuit.

Park Lamps 

For trailer park lamp operation, the trailer park lamps relay is supplied with battery voltage at all times. When the headlamp switch is placed in the HEAD or PARK position, ground is applied to the park lamp switch ON signal circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM responds to the park lamp request by energizing the trailer park lamps relay by applying ground to the trailer park lamps relay control circuit. When the trailer park lamps relay is energized, the relay switch contacts close and battery voltage is applied through the trailer parks lamp fuse to the trailer park lamp control circuit which illuminates the trailer park lamps.

Stop Lamps 

For trailer stop lamp operation, the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay's are supplied with battery voltage at all times. The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5 V reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM energizes the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay's by applying ground to the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay control circuits. With the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay's energized, the relay switch contacts close and battery voltage is applied through the left and right trailer stop/turn signal fuse's to the trailer stop lamp control circuits which illuminates the trailer stop lamps.

Turn Signal Lamps 

For trailer turn signal lamp operation, the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay's are supplied with battery voltage at all times. Ground is applied at all times to the turn signal/multifunction switch. The turn signal lamps may only be activated with the ignition switch in the ON or START positions. When the turn signal/multifunction switch is placed in either the TURN RIGHT or TURN LEFT position, ground is applied to the body control module (BCM) through either the right turn or left turn signal switch signal circuit. The BCM responds to the turn signal switch input by applying a pulsating ground to the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay control circuits energizing the relay's in an ON and OFF cycle. With the left and right trailer stop/turn signal lamp relay's energized, the relay switch contacts cycle ON and OFF applying battery voltage through the left and right trailer stop/turn signal fuse's to the trailer turn signal lamp control circuits which illuminates the trailer turn signal lamps in an ON and OFF cycle.