Trailer lights

[rip n lips]

So my left turn signal was not working so I figured it was probally time to re-wire my trailer lights (they were old). I bought a wiring kit from my local marine store and got to work. Everything was wired up like it said. right size butt connectors with heat shrink tubing around them to make it look pretty and keep water out. When all said and done...backed up the truck and I got nothing but running lights when I turn the truck lights on. Put the multimeter on the plug coming from the truck to the trailer. Power to both brown wires (running lights) and yellow wire (left brake & turn signal) although the left brake and turn still doesn't actually work. Nothing coming from green wire (right brake and turn) and nothing from white wire (ground)...any ideas on where to start? I'm no electical guru but everything looks good to me which makes me think it might be the vehicle?

[Wolfdog]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

So my left turn signal was not working so I figured it was probally time to re-wire my trailer lights (they were old). I bought a wiring kit from my local marine store and got to work. Everything was wired up like it said. right size butt connectors with heat shrink tubing around them to make it look pretty and keep water out. When all said and done...backed up the truck and I got nothing but running lights when I turn the truck lights on. Put the multimeter on the plug coming from the truck to the trailer. Power to both brown wires (running lights) and yellow wire (left brake & turn signal) although the left brake and turn still doesn't actually work. Nothing coming from green wire (right brake and turn) and nothing from white wire (ground)...any ideas on where to start? I'm no electical guru but everything looks good to me which makes me think it might be the vehicle?

Be sure lights are grounded correctly.
Then be sure white wire from trailer plug is also grounded solidly to the frame of the trailer.
Then do the same to the vehicle plug ground.
Check juice to each vehicle terminal to see if it functions with the correct control from the vehicle.
If you didn't put a new plug on the trailer side, check for corrosion, and change it if there is any sign of it.
Have someone work the brakes, turn signals while you use the vom and make sure vehicle side is giving the correct indicators of power. If that checks out recheck everything on the trailer.
Never depend on the hitch and ball to make your ground.

[damoperator]

On my Dodge it has seperate fuses under the hood for right and left turn sig. and running and break lights. Hop this helps Damoperator

[teachertug]

Check the ground, check it again.

My '98 Ford has a seperate fuse box for the tow harness.

Good luck.

Eric

[GorgeCaster]

Check your fuses?

[No Bail]

Originally Posted by damoperator

On my Dodge it has seperate fuses under the hood for right and left turn sig. and running and break lights. Hop this helps Damoperator

Yup, and those darned tiny fuses to boot. That was one of my problems, and then I finally found the short that was blowing the fuses.

[Lead Bouncer]

From your explanation, I d say you didnt troubleshoot this issue. You just assumed the wiring was bad on the trailer. Always start at the vehicle.

Vehicle lights work?

Use a test light on the plug itself. Ground to the truck and probe the holes to discover what holes are hot. Go thru the tests for brakes, lights and turnsignals. Make a drawing

verify the colors are matched to the turn signals, brakes and lights, for each side.

mate the plugs together.

Make sure the ball is hooked to the hitch.

run another test for brakes, signal and lights. FOR EACH SIDE

Hook up the lights one at a time, NO Butt connectors, just buddy up and tape together. check the lights.

Dont assume the lights on the truck are working perfectly or wired perfectly.

[Hell-B]

Had the same problem a couple years ago. Had always been good at trouble shooting the wiring, but this one had me.
It was a fuse under the hood (as stated in an earlier post), not the ones inside. It controls the trailer light, each side seperate.

[Lurp]

Here's a neat little item that I found at u-haul
It's the plug that goes on the vehicle with led lights on the side to tell you when each circuit gets power
Makes it easy to check your vehicle
Also there is a plug with led lights to plug into the tow rig with led lights to check it
If I remember right they both are cheap

[rip n lips]

Heres the latest with my light situation. I tested the power coming out of the truck through the adapter with a test light, eveything had power. I re did my ground and everything worked except my right turn signal ( I didnt have anyway to check my brake lights but assume the right doesn't work). If I turn my running lights on everything works including the right side. Why would everything work except my right turn/brake?

[mstarck]

Defective bulb?

[Wolfdog]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

Heres the latest with my light situation. I tested the power coming out of the truck through the adapter with a test light, eveything had power. I re did my ground and everything worked except my right turn signal ( I didnt have anyway to check my brake lights but assume the right doesn't work). If I turn my running lights on everything works including the right side. Why would everything work except my right turn/brake?

You messin with us <LOL>
Did you try replacing the bulb?
Maybe one of the elements is bad?

Also if ya use LED lights that problem is over for good.

[rip n lips]

Brand new bulbs in both lights...

[Wolfdog]

Test the bulbs or just switch sides and see what happens. I have bought new bulbs that were bad from the get go.

[rip n lips]

Originally Posted by Wolfdog

Test the bulbs or just switch sides and see what happens. I have bought new bulbs that were bad from the get go.

The bulbs light up when I have my running lights on so I don't think that is the problem?

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

The bulbs light up when I have my running lights on so I don't think that is the problem?

There are two filaments in each bulb, one for the running lights and one for the brake/flasher. So it's possible to have just the one burned out.

I still wouldn't rule out grounding issues either...I've had some pretty wacky issues. I finally had to run a direct ground wire to each light to get my drift boat trailer lights to work right.

[rip n lips]

Originally Posted by Starfish

There are two filaments in each bulb, one for the running lights and one for the brake/flasher. So it's possible to have just the one burned out.

I still wouldn't rule out grounding issues either...I've had some pretty wacky issues. I finally had to run a direct ground wire to each light to get my drift boat trailer lights to work right.

I noticed the two filaments in the bulb and they both work...I had my hazards and my running lights turned on and played with the bulbs. Both filaments would light up depending which way i twisted the bulb. Finally I just left it so the brightest one was working...

[Wolfdog]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

I noticed the two filaments in the bulb and they both work...I had my hazards and my running lights turned on and played with the bulbs. Both filaments would light up depending which way i twisted the bulb. Finally I just left it so the brightest one was working...

<LOL> Instead of getting an ulcer from this, just go to the nearest hitch or trailer shop and have em look at it.
They will probably troubleshoot it in about 2 min and then you don't have to go get that valium prescription <G>

[rip n lips]

Originally Posted by Wolfdog

<LOL> Instead of getting an ulcer from this, just go to the nearest hitch or trailer shop and have em look at it.
They will probably troubleshoot it in about 2 min and then you don't have to go get that valium prescription <G>

I can't tow it anywhere, my trailer lights aren't working properly and I can't afford the ticket . I think i'm gunna have to take it somewhere, I thought it would be an easy fix but I keep getting stuck...I WANT TO GO FISHING! If I don't get it fixed in the next week i'm going to burn it to the ground and get my insurance check .

[Okie]

I hope you installed LED lights. This is more important, no bulbs to check and much better lights. The wiring will be the same in both cases.

Good Luck

[Wolfdog]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

I can't tow it anywhere, my trailer lights aren't working properly and I can't afford the ticket . I think i'm gunna have to take it somewhere, I thought it would be an easy fix but I keep getting stuck...I WANT TO GO FISHING! If I don't get it fixed in the next week i'm going to burn it to the ground and get my insurance check .

If you are close to a hitch or trailer shop and it is daytime and you have a piece of paper in your hand with the address of the hitch or trailer shop in your hand, I doubt there would be a cop anywhere that would do much but give you a warning if even that, but you never know. I have driven with them that way. It would be a pretty sorry cop that would do that when you are going to a repair shop.

[rip n lips]

Originally Posted by Wolfdog

If you are close to a hitch or trailer shop and it is daytime and you have a piece of paper in your hand with the address of the hitch or trailer shop in your hand, I doubt there would be a cop anywhere that would do much but give you a warning if even that, but you never know. I have driven with them that way. It would be a pretty sorry cop that would do that when you are going to a repair shop.

I'll be OK as long as I only make left turns...Or if I flash my headlights when I need to make a right turn...

[Wolfdog]

Originally Posted by rip n lips

I'll be OK as long as I only make left turns...Or if I flash my headlights when I need to make a right turn...

Oh good greif, don't they teach hand turn signals anymore <LOL>
Left arm straight out for a left, out and up for a right<G>
Just drive careful.. You can also drive with your 4 ways on all the way.

[No Reservations]

There are three types of Hardwire Kits make sure your tow vehicle has the same wire configuration as your boat maybe this will help

Standard 4-Pole Wiring Harness - For use with vehicles that have adequate power and standard wiring system, these simply connect into existing wires on the vehicle and have a 4-pole flat connector to attach a trailer.

Converter - For use with vehicles that have separate turn and brake light wires. Some vehicles send only one signal per wire, creating what is called a 3-wire system: one wire for the left turn, one wire for the right turn, and one wire for the brake signal (common on vehicles with amber turn signals). A converter will reduce it to a standard 2-wire system needed for wiring a trailer. There are still additional wires for the running lights and for the ground. Any vehicle with amber turn signals will need a converter. However, there are some vehicles with all-red tail lights that can also require a converter. A wiring harness with a converter has a black box built in it. Five wires go into the box, and only 4 come out. The converter transfers the brake signal on the vehicle into the left and right turn signals for the trailer wiring system.

Modulite or Powered Converter - Used with vehicles that do not provide enough electrical power to handle the additional strain of powering trailer lights, the Modulite or powered system draws power directly from the battery but still connects to the vehicle's wiring system to determine when to power the lights on the trailer. If there are too many lights on the trailer for the vehicle's electrical system to provide adequate power, use a modulite or powered converter. A modulite installs the same way as a standard converter except an extra wire must be run to the battery. Instead of drawing power from the vehicle wiring system, a modulite draws power directly from the vehicle battery. This is safer because the extra amps to power the trailer are no longer going through the expensive electrical components of the vehicle. More vehicles are using thinner gauge wire and require a modulite, regardless of how many lights are on the trailer, simply to protect their wiring system