boat trailer lights???

[River Ranger]

So here's my problem. Hooked up the trailer the other day and lights are not working. not only that but when I turn on my turn signal and brake at the same time, the turn signal on my truck just stays solid?????? trailer unhooked it's fine.

Any ideas or solutions out there, trip befor they were just fine.

Also any suggestions on where I can take the trailer to get it looked at, I am on the east side

Thanks in advance.

RR.

[trap50]

Check your ground. 90% of wireing problems are ground related. If you weren't way up there i'd look at it for you.

[River Ranger]

Thank's, I'll check that shorlty, no pun intended.

RR.

[weekender]

What is your tow rig? My 4 runner has a little box wired in that basically only allows amperage to flow one way so that a short in your trailer doesnt blow out electrical components of your truck. I had to replace that part a while back.

I would start by grabbing a car battery and a jumper and testing the trailer independently. I would assume you'll find a short in the trailer wiring. Seems like the most likely spot.

[jfa686]

ya what weekender said. save yourself some $$$ and just use a methodical troubleshooting approach. you should be able to narrow it down pretty quick. a test light and volt meter will help your cause

[garyk]

Originally Posted by River Ranger

So here's my problem. Hooked up the trailer the other day and lights are not working. not only that but when I turn on my turn signal and brake at the same time, the turn signal on my truck just stays solid?????? trailer unhooked it's fine.
RR.

It sounds like once the lights DID work correctly.

IF so, the symptoms you describe - as someone else said - are the result of a poor ground.

IF there's a way of accessing the trailer's ground wire up by the vehicle plug...try making a little jumper wire ground (a wire with an alligator clip on each end) and use it to make new ground from the plug to the trailer frame. Move it around and see if the lights work better. It's a good easy start to troubleshooting.

[No Bail]

I had a similar issue and strung a ground wire to each light, no more problems. I even went so far as to build a set of magnetic lights I could use with the four wire if they went out again, but after putting a dedicated ground wire and forever foregoing the frame for ground, no more problems. Tinned copper is your friend.