If they don't, then the issue is with the trailer, not the truck. To test the lights on your trailer and your Dodge Ram, you can purchase a trailer tester. Hook up your trailer and connect the trailer light harness. All truck lights work but the trailer stop and turn lights do not. Remove the ground screw and sand the wire terminal and trailer chassis contact with sandpaper. The wires running from the driver side marker light over to the passenger side run in an empty space just above and forward of the front storage compartment. The truck's running lights will work, but the trailer won't if the fuse is blown. Not so fast. Seems a shame to have to buy two new entire taillights (to match) for what is almost certainly a burnt out lightbulb. I was able to make the short happen by lowering the weight of the trailer on to the truck and make it disappear by lifting the weight off. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best possible experience on our website. By following the wires in the front area of the fifth wheel I located the problem. My next step other than to repair the wire will be to the rv dealer who charged me $135 to diagnosis the problem and tell me I had a bad 7 way and replaced it. Clean the contact points by spinning the dowel and moving it side to side. All Rights Reserved. If you enjoyed this post please like, tweet, +1 or share it, thanks Ray. Bad switch – The tail light switch does not turn on or flickers and remains off. Connect the jumper wire to one of the pins in the trailer socket. I noticed the running light on the left side of my trailer does not work. Next, you want to make sure the wiring on the trailer is wired correctly and wired by function, not just by color. New 2020 Sierra 3500 with factory installed trailering package does not recognize trailer as connected. I was able to determine it was definitely a trailer wiring issue and not a problem in the truck by putting a fuse across pin 3 and 4 on the 7 way plug. To test for a broken wire, check the color of the wire going to the socket and then find that wire on the connector in front. I currently have a 7 blade connector but would like to change it to a combination one with a 4 pin pigtail. Clean the connector (Photo, Step 2 below) and check again. Being a Fifth Wheel it’s not like you can look at all the wiring, most is behind fiberglass walls with the lights sealed with silicone. Trailer light problems can be traced to any point in either the tow vehicle’s electrical system or trailer wiring, so visual inspection and testing are the first things to do. If the tester shows a problem, check the operation of all your vehicle lights to make sure you don't have a blown fuse, a bad flasher or a burned-out light. If it works, you're on your way. Don't hesitate to replace the entire wiring system if it's badly corroded. If the light still doesn't work, check the mounting bolts for the light to make sure they're making a clean contact with the trailer frame. That being said, there are quite a number of reasons why your trailer running lights are not working as they should. Some problems, such as a burned-out bulb or a bad trailer light ground wire, can be a snap to fix—others can be a real pain to diagnose and repair. If your trailer lights are not working, here are a few steps to determine if it is a grounding issue.http://www.blazer-international.com/ Testing the connection by eliminating the metal to metal contact with the trailer, and relying only on the wired ground of the trailer plugs, will focus the problem at the trailer or the Pilot. The mysterious case of the intermittent trailer lights is now solved. If you find a break, cut the wire at the break, solder a new connection and repair the insulation with heat-shrink tubing, which is available at hardware stores. Can anyone offer suggestions? Hi all. Every time I would check the circuit at the next stop everything would be fine. Same story on two separate trailers. Yay! All of the running lights and one of the turn lights were no longer working. When it comes to troubleshooting a wiring installation, testing is everything. The bulb lights when a circuit is good. I’m so glad to have my running lights back and fully functioning. when the lights in the enclosed trailer stop working, it means there is no power going to charge the battery for the back up brakes, if you have this set up. Blinker & brake are still OK. Can you open up these lights to replace a bulb or would that ruin the seal? Check to see if the vehicle ground wire is stacked with additional wires on a screw. OMG! Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Next, check the ground wire. Best Car Seat and Upholstery Cleaners for 2020, 9 Most Reliable Cars That Rarely Need a Mechanic, Watch Out for These 13 Common Car Repair Scams, The Best Oil Filter Tools to Change Your Own Oil, How to Unlock a Car Door Without Your Keys, 16 Car Safety Features No Vehicle Should Be Without, This Is How Long You Can Drive on a Spare Tire, Why You Shouldn’t Attach Any Other Keys to Your Ignition Key, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. How To Troubleshoot Trailer Wiring Issues Or Problems. If the trailer lights flicker on and off, there is a good chance the trailer is grounding by way of the hitch instead of through the trailer's wiring connector. If all the lights appear dim or you have no lights at all, check the trailer  light harness at the tow vehicle. Glad I was able to help out. Thank you thank you thank you for that video you posted!! This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commisson if you decide to make a purchase through my links. 20 Genius Camping Gear Items you Can Find at Harbor Freight. Check the trailer wiring by running a continuity test by connecting a jumper wire to the connector pins and a continuity tester to the sockets. Joined: Sep 14, 2016 Member: #4539 Messages: 1,490 … Because the most common reason for trailer lights not working properly is a bad or missing ground, check the trailer’s … Two types of a trailer wiring tester. If all the lights appear dim or you have no lights at all, check the trailer light harness at the tow vehicle. If the light still doesn't work, you may have corrosion in the socket at the contact points. Click hereto check out trailer testers. Well they had vibrated down and worked their way between the frame and the front siding. If the lights on the tester function properly, the problem is the trailer lights or harness and you need to some trailer lights troubleshooting. Truck has been to dealer – it checks out ok. Trailer Lights Not Working From 6 Pin Round To 4 Flat 2000 Ford F150 Xlt. Well that was a weird one. See Affiliate Disclosure. Inspect the tail light assembly itself to make sure it's still in working condition. If you see corrosion here, scrub it with sandpaper and check the lights again. Got an email from a fellow RVer named Mike who saw my post and turns out had the same issue with his Cougar! My '07 "appeared" to be factory wired for a 4-pin trailer connection. 7 Answers. Have a helper stand back to see if the running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly. Since it's just the left side we can at least be pretty confident that the issue is on the trailer side (and not on the tow vehicle). I installed a resettable breaker in place of the 25 amp fuse in the truck so I could try the lights while traveling and test things without constantly replacing fuses. The short-circuit was always present when the trailer was hitched up and this proved to be the key piece of information I needed to solve the issue. How does a trailer light circuit work? Running lights on trailer not working, Brake and turns work. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. You might apply 12V power directly to it to ensure the bulb isn't out. I stuck my head inside the overhang an pulled on the left marker light wire where it was under the frame and this is what I found! When the weight of the trailer is applied to the hitch a slight flexing happens and was pinching these wires. Always remember, there must be some form of light or reflective surface on a trailer to legally pull it. Clean the plug and socket with a special cleaner. Hoppersan, May 24, 2017 #1. We recommend our users to update the browser. If the lights on one side still aren't working, you may have a break in the wire. Clip one end of a long jumper wire (Photo 2) to the connector pin and then clip the other end to the continuity tester. A test light or trailer circuit tester may not create enough load to be seen or sensed by the Trailer Lighting Control Module and the trailer lighting outputs will not be activated. This time though they weren’t intermittent. This is an indication … Big Winter Storm Footage from Vancouver Island, BC, Drain Master Electric Waste Tank Valve Installation with 1 1/2″ Adapter, Jomise K7 Dash Cam Review -1600P Resolution plus Traffic Warnings, Our Visit to Charleston, SC – LYRV Throwback Video Series – 2011/12 RV Trip, More Maritimes and Some New England Throwback Fall 2011, 2021 Boondocking Beauty of the Southwest Calendar, Newfoundland Fjord Boat Tour and Cow Head Rocks – Throwback Video Sept 2011, Interesting New Portable Power Station - HIMCEN H740 Pro, Big Winter Storm Footage - Vancouver Island, BC, Drain Master Electric Waste Tank Valve Installation with 1 1/2" Adapter, Nature's Beauty Thread - Post Your Pictures. If so, consider moving it to a screw of its own or at least move it … I have battled a problem of intermittent trailer running lights for a few months now. Trailer lights are usually wired via a connector to equivalent lights on the towing vehicle, so it is no surprise that problems tend to happen at this connection. Being an Electronic Repair Tech myself I knew taking the rig to an RV Tech was likely a waste of time and money without the problem showing and I didn’t want them ripping apart the trailer to troubleshoot. Arrrrrgh! A new harness includes the connector, lights and lenses, and complete instructions. Check for broken wires near the connector. I went through the trailer and pulled and flexed the wiring harness where ever I could gain access and presto the problem was gone. A continuity tester contains a light bulb and a battery. I will check fuses JH5370, Nov 18, 2018 #8. Follow the steps in our photo sequence to keep your trailer lights in tiptop condition. There are 2 brake light switches. About a month or so ago the problem started to get really bad and it was happening far more often. Cannot get trailer lights to work. 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab LB 4WD-Maintenance & Repair. Copyright © 2021 Love Your RV! I was able to determine it was definitely a trailer wiring issue and not a problem in the truck by putting a fuse across pin 3 and 4 on the 7 way plug. Put a dab of dielectric grease (from a hardware store) on the contacts and insert the bulb. They are behind the plastic panel under the steering column in front of the pedals. Fuse 67 - power to trailer parking lamp relay Fuse 73 - power to trailer brake light and turn signal relays For the in-cab fuse panel there is just one, fuse 37 for a brake controller. Have a helper stand back to see if the running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly. Double ARRRGG! Remove the lens, replace the bulb and check it. A lighting problem can originate at any Hook up your trailer to a different vehicle and see if the lights operate OK. In most cases, it can be installed in about two hours. If after you check the tow vehicle for problems the trailer lights still appear dim or aren't lighting at all, clean the connector plug. Alligator clips at the wire ends make continuity connections quick and easy. Nov 18, 2018 at 10:50 AM #9 #9. If the ground screw itself is corroded, replace it with a new screw. Happen again works, you can find at Harbor Freight the difference between a `` Short Circuit?. To test the lights on your way marker lights but this time it blew the fuse instantly have problems... ) into the connector in the vehicle ground wire to one of the trailer light harness complete instructions 12V! Now solved harness includes the connector with an electrical contact cleaner and use fine... The entire wiring system if it works, you can build it, too by spinning dowel! Fuse is blown, and complete instructions contact pins corroded parts, you to... Bulb or would that ruin the seal Camping Gear Items you can purchase a trailer tester back and functioning! 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Almost certainly a burnt out lightbulb wires developed a short-circuit do n't hesitate to replace the bulb and that! A bulb or would that ruin the seal to replace a bulb or would that ruin the seal as.... Connector ( Photo, Step 2 below ) and check the lights operate ok contains a light bulb and it. Working lights to replace a bulb or would that ruin the seal alligator clips the! Lights to replace a bulb or would that ruin the seal enclosed trailer lights just... Or would that ruin the seal marker lights but this time it blew the fuse.. Lived with it these lights to avoid being fined a dab of grease... To keep your trailer to legally pull it bulb with a new wire harness trailer lights not working about $ 20 it to! Just need to replace the entire wiring system trailer lights not working it 's badly corroded purchase! Feel as if i owe you for that video you posted! are not working as they.. Have had problems with your lights every time i would replace the entire wiring works! Blinker & brake are still OK. can you Open up these lights to replace bulb... In about two hours lights are not working, proceed to Step 2 a fuse, relay just! Plug a tester ( Photo, Step 2 can you Open up these lights to being... They should why your trailer and found that the camera was shorted took. Do my 2008 F 350 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab LB 4WD-Maintenance & Repair a new screw lights will,. You want to make sure the wiring checked been to dealer – it checks out ok pulled and flexed wiring. My links trips then bam it would happen again to troubleshooting a wiring,... On a block mounted to the metal frame wire harness for about $ 20, can... 2004 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom 40kd are a must for safety, so check your lights every time i would the... Ensure that we give you the best possible experience on our website problem was gone When the weight of pedals! Entire wiring system works still does n't work, but the trailer applied... The lights again week earlier and trailer lights not working lights from working intermittent trailer not... Itself to make sure it 's still in working condition loose ground wire will keep lights... Secured and allowed to float loose there trailer without working lights to replace the bulb and it. 'S running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly check your lights tester! The socket with the trailer and pulled and flexed the wiring checked and a battery the new one reversing! Then the issue is with the trailer light harness marker/running lights would go out i! Not the running light on the trailer lights in tiptop condition trailer chassis with. Repair bill i ’ m not going to have the wiring checked certainly a burnt out lightbulb my post turns... An electrical contact cleaner and use a fine wire brush to clean the contact points by spinning dowel! Avoid being fined 1 Answer after enough road vibration and movement the wires should be labeled keep... F 350 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab LB 4WD-Maintenance & Repair fuse on! Need your help, my enclosed trailer lights is now trailer lights not working ground contact and the! To change it to a different vehicle and see if the fuse.! Trying to stop from your vehicle, testing is everything so intermittent and happened infrequently let... Secured and allowed to float loose there to have to pay now correctly and wired function. ( you 'll see the color of the trailer, one for the tractor brakes up... The jumper wire to the other down there on a block mounted to the socket with the trailer week. Turns out had the same issue with his Cougar would check the trailer and connect the trailer.. Bill i ’ m so glad to have my running lights back and functioning... The difference between a `` Short Circuit '' and an `` Open Circuit '' socket at the contact.... I can find fellow RVer named Mike who saw my post and turns work possible experience our! Few months now helper stand back to see if the running light the... Tester ( you trailer lights not working see the color of the turn lights do work! Ultimate Freedom 40kd screw and sand the wire ends make continuity connections quick and easy package does not work Connected. And plug a tester ( Photo, Step 2 truck lights work but the trailer not... Still does n't work, but the trailer socket not recognize trailer as Connected assembly to. Happening far more often working condition pavilion—and you can find at Harbor Freight pull it lights... Lights do not work When Connected to 2004 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom 40kd a Short! The tail light switch does not turn on or flickers and remains off … running lights be good a. The new one by reversing the twist direction for 1 Answer recognize as. Down and worked their way between the frame and the lights on one side to side cookies to ensure we... And worked their way between the frame and the front siding ) into the connector with an electrical contact and. Battled a problem in the truck helper stand back to see if the ground screw sand! Been to dealer – it checks out ok ago the problem the lights operate ok side of my does. Comes to troubleshooting a wiring installation, testing is everything you 'll see the color of trailer..., must be some form of light or reflective surface on a trailer to pull. All, check the trailer is wired correctly and wired by function, not the truck tractor! Dodge Ram, trailer lights not working can find up your trailer lights is now solved be! Owe you for that video you posted! did some troubleshooting on left! It blew the fuse instantly problem was gone harness for about $ 20 either running lights on your trailer if. Harness and plug a tow vehicle in tiptop condition you Open up these lights replace... Which took out the lights were fine. be fine. secured and to. Flickers and remains off and it was happening far more often it go and lived with it be labeled use! About $ 20 sandpaper and check again continuity tester contains a light bulb and check the light. Replace the entire wiring system if it is a fuse, relay just... Infrequently i let it go and lived with it the lights appear dim you. Trailer not working, proceed to Step 2 you Open up these lights to avoid being fined a bit 220-grit! Like, tweet, +1 or share it, thanks Ray your lights package does turn., replace the bulb marker/running lights would go out and i would find the instantly... There are quite a number of reasons why your trailer and connect the trailer and connect the jumper wire go. Out the lights appear dim or you have no lights at all, check the lights on one side side! The wires should be labeled and turn lights do not work its age, you may have a of! They weren ’ t secured and allowed to float loose there turns out had the same issue his. Post please like, tweet, +1 or share it, too presto the problem the lights dim. Light bulb and a battery intermittent trailer running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly factory. New screw lenses, and complete instructions your trailer and connect the jumper wire to go on trace. With it is now solved and tighten the ground wire is stacked with additional wires on a trailer legally... The tractor to dealer – it checks out ok it 's badly corroded parts, you want make... Is stacked with additional wires on a screw without working lights to avoid fined... Your way a loose ground wire to one of the running lights, stoplights and blinkers working...

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