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Trailer lights acting funny

7K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  Leah Frances 
#1 ·
The lights on our small class 1 trailer are acting funny.
Symptoms:
-Left side rear light does not ignite when the car is 'on' (right side ignites - running lights).
- When the brakes are engaged the left side light ignites, but only to the level of the running lights - not 'bright' like the right side.

Ideas for how to troubleshoot this?
 
#4 ·
Some trailers are grounded thru the vehicle hitch, so you can try wirebrushing the hitch ball first.

If that doesn't work, check for a loose white wire @ the trailer tongue or at the left rear tailight.

If that doesn't work, check the white wire at each taillight & running light.

If all of that doesn't work, check all the wires to make sure they didn't wear thru, especially at penetrations.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Post a schematic; we'll step you through it.
You can use clip leads and the vehicle battery to check the trailer lights separately from the vehicle.

This lamp or equivalent used?

#1034 MINIATURE BULB BAY15D BASE - 12.8/14.0 Volt 1.80/0.59 Amps S8 Double Contact (DC) Index Bayonet (BAY15d) Base 200/5000 Average Rated Hours 2.00" Maximum Overall Length #1034

A bad ground will cause the thick filament to supply current to the thin filament, but the thick one doesn't light while it's doing this.
 
#8 ·
I've wired many a trailer, tag-a-longs, fifth wheels, boat, utility, cargo, and car hauler trailers. One thing I've learned to do to save me or someone else problems down the line is to use the white grounding wire(s) starting from the tow vehicle all the way to each light set. I just do not use the trailer framing or the hitch ball as the ground. Make a good ground on the tow vehicle if there is not one and carry it through the connector. Ground problems are probably about 95% of trailer light problems. Good Luck, David
 
#9 ·
Is this problem specific only to this trailer? The first check would be on the tow vehicle. You can purchase a test light that plugs into your trailer light connection for only a few dollars. Most problems I have had with trailer lights either is a ground on the tow vehicle or problems in the connector itself.
 
#10 ·
Reality check - I'm used to house electrical so 12V DC is a strange new world. There are only two wires that run to each light. One is 'hot', right? The other is the 'ground/neutral'? If I run another 'white neutral' do I use it in lieu of the ground/neutral? In addition?

The wires running into the lights are both the same colored wire.
 
#11 ·
Reality check - I'm used to house electrical so 12V DC is a strange new world. There are only two wires that run to each light. One is 'hot', right? The other is the 'ground/neutral'? If I run another 'white neutral' do I use it in lieu of the ground/neutral? In addition?

The wires running into the lights are both the same colored wire.

Nothing like residential wiring. If I remember correctly:

White = ground
Brown = tailights/running lights
Yellow = left turn
Green = right turn

So, you should have a brown & yellow going to left tail, & brown & green going to right tail, theoreticaly. I would take a closer look at the left tailight , as it has to be grounded through the frame some how. I'm sure it too rusty/corroded to make a good ground.
 
#12 ·
Connection (ground) is established through the bolt that fastens the light to the trailer. I will check to make sure the connection is good and free of corrosion. FYI, the trailer is less than 1 year old.
 
#14 ·
Each side light has two wires going to it. White wire seems to terminate at the ball. If I want to run a separate neutral/ground what would I hook it up to at the light end. Each light has two terminals - where would I attach the white?
 
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