Trailer Lights?????

Had a few issue with my trailer lights, replaced one left tail light, damaged last year pulling the boat out duck hunting.Heres the problem replaced the new light as mentioned cleaned all the ground connections and replaced 1 signal marker bulb in the right light. Checked everything all is good signal,brake,hazard all working fine. Took it for a spin around the block to get gas for the boat, come back to the house recheck all is good. Disconnected the trailer from the truck to run some errands, come back and hookup the trailer check lights. Problem.When i turn on my left signal lights both left and right flash at the same time and very weak at both lights, same as when i turn on my right signal light both flash. WTH. AS i said cleaned all the ground connections, it worked fine, reconnected the trailer now i have issues. Any suggestions thanks cuda.

Sounds like a bad ground issue...make sure to run a line from the vehicle to the trailer on fresh drilled/scrapped connections, don't rely on the ball connection.

note: A quick check put your booster cable clamp to the vehicle frame and then to the trailer frame..see if the trailer lights work.

Do you have a converter? They do go bad.

Buy one of these:

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...er/A-p8196990e

I agree with MikePal.....check the ground connection...

Sounds like a ground to me too.

Agree 100% it's a bad ground. Use a stainless bolt to anchor the ground wire and after tight give it a coating of rustproof undercoating spray to keep crap from getting to the connection

One one of my boat trailers, the tounge of the trailer is actually bolted (not welded) to the rest of the frame. I used to have constant ground issues until I ran a wire between the tounge and the rest of the trailer frame. What you describe is 100% what I had.

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Originally Posted by scarkner

One one of my boat trailers, the tounge of the trailer is actually bolted (not welded) to the rest of the frame. I used to have constant ground issues until I ran a wire between the tounge and the rest of the trailer frame. What you describe is 100% what I had.

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Exact same setup on my boat trailer and same thing I did to resolve the issue.

What everybody has said above is probably whats happening, bad ground, a cheap and inexpensive upgrade also for your trailer would be to get the LED lights from Princess auto and ditch the old style 1157 light bulbs, the bulbs and the sockets for those lights are not very reliable, I'm not saying that has anything to do with your problem, its just a reliable upgrade

Solder every connection, stay away from those blue squeeze connectors, use heat shrink, coat any ground lugs with grease and always suspect your ground as the cause of your problem......

So when you follow ALL of the very good advice every one else has provided, should the issue remain......... check the truck side of the issue and start with the plugs and adapter if you use one. Savage308

And for another couple dollars, make yourself a dedicated ground wire (white) that goes from the front of the trailer to each light socket or mount. Your lights will be bright and you won't suffer the aggravation.

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Originally Posted by scarkner

One one of my boat trailers, the tounge of the trailer is actually bolted (not welded) to the rest of the frame. I used to have constant ground issues until I ran a wire between the tounge and the rest of the trailer frame. What you describe is 100% what I had.

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Scarkner my tounge is bolted to the trailer not welded to the frame, my light harness is grounded to the trailer body just after the tounge. Is there any specefic part of the tongue i should ground to? So basically i am running a 4 '' wire to ground the tounge and trailer body together.

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Originally Posted by Wahoo

Do you have a converter? They do go bad.

Buy one of these

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...er/A-p8196990e

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no converter just a simple 4 pin light harness.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Sounds like a bad ground issue...make sure to run a line from the vehicle to the trailer on fresh drilled/scrapped connections, don't rely on the ball connection.

note: A quick check put your booster cable clamp to the vehicle frame and then to the trailer frame..see if the trailer lights work.

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Stupid question are you saying the trailer gets grounded to the truck when the tounge and receiver ball connect? I realize the white wire from the truck harness is ground to the white wire on the trailer. Did not know that. My trailer ball has a bit of rust from lack of use. Could this also be part of the problem?

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

Exact same setup on my boat trailer and same thing I did to resolve the issue.

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I will give it atry tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks for all the replys guys much appreciated.

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Originally Posted by scarkner

One one of my boat trailers, the tounge of the trailer is actually bolted (not welded) to the rest of the frame. I used to have constant ground issues until I ran a wire between the tounge and the rest of the trailer frame. What you describe is 100% what I had.

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X2 Same issue and solution.

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Originally Posted by bdog

What everybody has said above is probably whats happening, bad ground, a cheap and inexpensive upgrade also for your trailer would be to get the LED lights from Princess auto and ditch the old style 1157 light bulbs, the bulbs and the sockets for those lights are not very reliable, I'm not saying that has anything to do with your problem, its just a reliable upgrade

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Again, X2 I used to have lots of issues with burnt/cracked/bad grounds with bulbs. I went LED, cost me smoething like $80 plus government strong arm fees, and very,very few issues now.

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Originally Posted by Fisherman

And for another couple dollars, make yourself a dedicated ground wire (white) that goes from the front of the trailer to each light socket or mount. Your lights will be bright and you won't suffer the aggravation.

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I've seen this cause issues - the light module bolts to the frame and if the mounting location doesn't have a good, clean contact to ground, wonky lights. Along with scraping the paint away, I try to use external tooth lock washers.

My SUV has a factory tow package with the 7-pin connector. I converted my boat trailer to 7-pin so I don't need to fiddle with the 4 pin connectors. They always seem to be more trouble. Always seem to be corroded. I usually break off a pin on one side or another and have to change it out.

I also carry an adapter in case I need to tow someone elses trailer. I suppose I should also make an adapter to got from 7 to 4 in case someone borrows my boat. Nah, that'll never happen, but I might need my fishing partner to tow with his vehicle someday.

I agree with the opinion about the LEDs being a smart upgrade. If you are going to change the rear lights anyway for whatever reason, go LED. Burn out a bulb on a side marker? For a few dollars more, go to Princess Auto and get an LED side marker. Swap it out. A lot easier on the wiring when you have MAYBE a 1/2 amp going to the lights than several amps with the brake and marker lights going. I find the LEDs are brighter, too.

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Originally Posted by cuda

Stupid question are you saying the trailer gets grounded to the truck when the tounge and receiver ball connect? I realize the white wire from the truck harness is ground to the white wire on the trailer. Did not know that. My trailer ball has a bit of rust from lack of use. Could this also be part of the problem?

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There was a time that was the norm because it essentially is frame to frame connection....but like you said it's not a good one...you need to run a separate ground line.

Made myself a light(led) bar out of light angle ,mounted my lights to it with a long enough cable to go to my truck .Attach to trailer with bungee when i use my trailers . If I need to borrow someones trailer at least i know i have lights that will work.Only takes a few minutes to remove and reattach.

I got charged for a loose ground and the trailer was empty about 45 minutes before day light. They watched to make sure I waited,buggers. CT sells a 20 foot portable system,no worries about grounds not working.

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Originally Posted by cuda

Had a few issue with my trailer lights, replaced one left tail light, damaged last year pulling the boat out duck hunting.Heres the problem replaced the new light as mentioned cleaned all the ground connections and replaced 1 signal marker bulb in the right light. Checked everything all is good signal,brake,hazard all working fine. Took it for a spin around the block to get gas for the boat, come back to the house recheck all is good. Disconnected the trailer from the truck to run some errands, come back and hookup the trailer check lights. Problem.When i turn on my left signal lights both left and right flash at the same time and very weak at both lights, same as when i turn on my right signal light both flash. WTH. AS i said cleaned all the ground connections, it worked fine, reconnected the trailer now i have issues. Any suggestions thanks cuda.

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IMO when it comes to trailer light, if you can't figure it out in 5 minutes and your wiring is old, I found re-wiring and buying new light is a lot faster and less stress full....
And yes, to check your trailer light you need to be hook up to your truck or it won't be grounded.
Good luck...

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Originally Posted by seabast

IMO when it comes to trailer light, if you can't figure it out in 5 minutes and your wiring is old, I found re-wiring and buying new light is a lot faster and less stress full....
And yes, to check your trailer light you need to be hook up to your truck or it won't be grounded.
Good luck...

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I borrow a cousins trailer every year when we go North for Moose and every year I spend time dikin around with the lights. Last fall when we got home I ripped every wire and every light from it and installed new LED lights and the entire harness, running a ground through the plug to each light. All connections were soldered and sealed with heat shrink. I also jumped the ground to the trailer frame so there will be a ground through the hitch incase the next guy to pull it has a poor ground through his plug. When replacing a harness I would also recommend installing a junction box near where the tongue meets the trailer and then splitting the harness from there to each light. Gives you a place to check for power and ground from your plug without piercing the insulation on the wires. No more issues now.

If you read the regulations you will find that the trailer lights must be PERMANENTLY mounted. No portable, magnetic style allowed.

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Originally Posted by M_P

I borrow a cousins trailer every year when we go North for Moose and every year I spend time dikin around with the lights. Last fall when we got home I ripped every wire and every light from it and installed new LED lights and the entire harness, running a ground through the plug to each light. All connections were soldered and sealed with heat shrink. I also jumped the ground to the trailer frame so there will be a ground through the hitch incase the next guy to pull it has a poor ground through his plug. When replacing a harness I would also recommend installing a junction box near where the tongue meets the trailer and then splitting the harness from there to each light. Gives you a place to check for power and ground from your plug without piercing the insulation on the wires. No more issues now.

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x2, the first time I have a problem rip all the cheap original crap out and do it right, well worth the time and money.

Long story short hooked up the boat to the truck tonight, grounded the tounge to the trailer body as suggested hit the lights same problem. Both taillights blinking when i call for either left or right signal. Recheck the grounds on the trailer, check the truck ground/ harness all is good. Dissconnect the left turn ground from the left trailer light now i have signals and brake lights working on both lights, but no cleareance lights. Reconnect the ground and everything goes back to crap. RECHECK all connections again, all are good try it one more time. STILL CRAP. Sit back have a beer think about this, its not rocket science, WTH. Start the truck up its getting dark lights on the truck come on automatically/ auto mode look back trailer clearance are on. Check signals, brakes, hazards all are working fine. Unplug the lights trailer to truck reconnect about 5 tries no issues. Unhook the trailer Reconnect it to the truck no issues. I can't explain it. I'm lost, AS of right now all is working fine. Going to hookup tomorrow just to see what happens. Ant idea about this mystery guys. I' m stumped.

Possible in the plug? I believe you said you cleaned the plug but I would clean them again with a wire brush and some electrical spray.

Does the white wire in the truck plug have a GOOD ground ....

What truck or car do you hook up your trailer onto? I had to replace my plug receiver in my truck, ordered online for 25$. Really easy to replace.
Also, you should put electrical contact grease in every plugs and holes, will save you a lot of grief overtime.

Thought of you today, since I also broke my trailer light on a boat ramp. Picked up a new set from Princes Auto, How hard can it be.

Nice units with Brown wire for running lights, White wire for ground , Yellow and green wires for signals.. All wired up and working great till , I tested running lights... Side marker lights come as they should with running lights but the main rear bulbs no light.

Will give the short version of the hours spent running new harness and connectors trying to solve problem. Ashamed of time spent.

Turns out that the brown running light wire only reached the side bulb, instead of being connected to both bulbs in the tail light unit..

The white wire was not a normal ground wire , but was wired into the main bulb as a feed... They must have run short of the proper coloured brown and used white instead.

The mounting bolts provide the only grounding needed upon fastening to the metal frame.

I like the idea of having a extra magnetic set of lights along for long trips, to avoid road side repairs

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Originally Posted by seabast

What truck or car do you hook up your trailer onto? I had to replace my plug receiver in my truck, ordered online for 25$. Really easy to replace.
Also, you should put electrical contact grease in every plugs and holes, will save you a lot of grief overtime.

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2008 chevy equinox, had the truck wired when i installed the hitch.

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Originally Posted by Pat32rf

Does the white wire in the truck plug have a GOOD ground ....

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Checked that too perfect.

Went back to the shop just to see hooked up the truck to the trailer pluged in the lights all is good. Can't figure out what went wrong.

I spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out why my new out of the box lights on my trailer wouldn't work with my Chev Silverado.

When I was working on them some gal walked by and said I don't have headlights either which was strange because I drove the truck around the block to make sure the signal lights worked. It turns out that my automatic headlights don't come on while the truck is in neutral and therefore my trailer lights don't come on either. The neighbors heard some new swear words that day!

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Originally Posted by sawbill

I spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out why my new out of the box lights on my trailer wouldn't work with my Chev Silverado.

When I was working on them some gal walked by and said I don't have headlights either which was strange because I drove the truck around the block to make sure the signal lights worked. It turns out that my automatic headlights don't come on while the truck is in neutral and therefore my trailer lights don't come on either. The neighbors heard some new swear words that day!

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Reminds me of a time I was losing my mind as to why my trailer lights wouldn't work? I had rigged up a new/to me trailer with brand new lights. Screwed, scraped, sanded and wore my fingers to bone playing with the wiring. Tested the truck end and no juice? So I rip everything apart and start cutting into the truck wiring. Still no GD lights!!!! At some point, I thought I better ask someone who might possibly know more than I did? Doubtful, but worth a try? I shortly thereafter discovered that the truck had a dedicated circuit and FUSE to operate said trlr lights. The fuse was blown........

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Originally Posted by cuda

Long story short hooked up the boat to the truck tonight, grounded the tounge to the trailer body as suggested hit the lights same problem. Both taillights blinking when i call for either left or right signal. Recheck the grounds on the trailer, check the truck ground/ harness all is good. Dissconnect the left turn ground from the left trailer light now i have signals and brake lights working on both lights, but no cleareance lights. Reconnect the ground and everything goes back to crap. RECHECK all connections again, all are good try it one more time. STILL CRAP. Sit back have a beer think about this, its not rocket science, WTH. Start the truck up its getting dark lights on the truck come on automatically/ auto mode look back trailer clearance are on. Check signals, brakes, hazards all are working fine. Unplug the lights trailer to truck reconnect about 5 tries no issues. Unhook the trailer Reconnect it to the truck no issues. I can't explain it. I'm lost, AS of right now all is working fine. Going to hookup tomorrow just to see what happens. Ant idea about this mystery guys. I' m stumped.

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Sorry for not responding to you earlier Cuda. So with the truck running the lights work, but do they still work weird when the truck is not running... or has everything just started to work properly all of a sudden (problem solved, just don't know why it's solved?). Feel free to PM me, I used to work in the shop of a trailer dealership (Kingston Outdoor Centre) so have seen just about every trailer lighting problem at this point.

BIL bought a new trailer to haul his tractor behind his 3 month old truck. Trailer dealer hooked everything up and installed yellow stickers. He made it about 60 km before the OPP pulled him over for no tail lights....Lucky he had all his receipts with him .

Is it a tilt trailer?????

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

Reminds me of a time I was losing my mind as to why my trailer lights wouldn't work? I had rigged up a new/to me trailer with brand new lights. Screwed, scraped, sanded and wore my fingers to bone playing with the wiring. Tested the truck end and no juice? So I rip everything apart and start cutting into the truck wiring. Still no GD lights!!!! At some point, I thought I better ask someone who might possibly know more than I did? Doubtful, but worth a try? I shortly thereafter discovered that the truck had a dedicated circuit and FUSE to operate said trlr lights. The fuse was blown........

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2005 - 2012 Nissans have a left and right fuse taped up beside the steering column. They are not on any wiring diagram. After wasting a lot of time I found the video on youtube = me in garage cursing the designers while reinstalling all the lights! I don;t have that vehicle any more :>

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Originally Posted by curioprop

2005 - 2012 nissans have a left and right fuse taped up beside the steering column. They are not on any wiring diagram. After wasting a lot of time i found the video on youtube = me in garage cursing the designers while reinstalling all the lights! I don;t have that vehicle any more :>

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ouch love the imports>