2 trailering questions

[gt2003]

Re: 2 trailering questions

That caused some strange things to happen but I think I'm making progress. I've disconnected, wire brushed and reconnected the grounds. There was the one on the tongue and actually 2 at each rear light. On the left rear of the trailer, the crimp on ring broke off when I tried to brush it so I stripped some of the wire and retightened. I didn't have any dielectric grease but am going to pick some up today along with a package of crimp on rings.

Here's what happens now.

1. When I plug in the trailer no lights come on, that's good.
2. When I turn on the parking lights they work. Also, when the parking lights are on and I press on the brake, the brake lights come on. Also good.
3. When I have no other lights on and I turn on the right signal, all the lights go out. Not so good!
4. When I turn on the left signal, all of the lights, right and left side blink.
5. When I have the left signal on and all the lights are blinking, if I turn on the parking lights, all the lights light up at their brightest levels and all stop blinking.

So, that's where I stand. I'm off to go look at an RV, will pick up my needed supplies and come back and look for more advice here. Thanks for all the help so far. I think I'm on the right track. Thank goodness summer isn't around the corner for me!

 

[sqbtr]

Re: 2 trailering questions

I have seen a tongue with good ground but would lose it where the tongue attaches to the trailer frame.

Run a jumper ground from the tongue to frame and recheck lights.

 

[nlain]

Re: 2 trailering questions

You are grounding through the right light, you need to work on grounds some more. It sounds like the left has lost its ground, may be the light itself. The strange light actions are because the left light is grounding through the double filament light bulbs and running the hot wires back to find a ground somewhere else either on trailer or tow vehicle.

 

[gt2003]

Re: 2 trailering questions

Wow, this is fun, lol! I've bought some new circular posts as well as some dielectric grease. I'm off to replace them all now, grease them up and see what I come up with. Results to follow!

 

[gt2003]

Re: 2 trailering questions

DANG! I'm back to square one.

I had to re-read the previous post on the tongue/trailer. I will run the suggested wire this weekend then re-test again.

One more thought, both tail lights have ground wires. They are very clean and secure to the frame. Could there be a connection at the other end of the ground (inside the light) that is causing the problem?

Thank goodness summer is a long ways away...

 

[nlain]

Re: 2 trailering questions

Quote "One more thought, both tail lights have ground wires. They are very clean and secure to the frame. Could there be a connection at the other end of the ground (inside the light) that is causing the problem?"

That is what I was saying in my post that the ground problem could be in the light itself. You have lost the ground in the left trailer light, replace that light assembly and I think your problem will be fixed. The ground circuit is running through the bulb in the left light into the wiring and grounding through there, that is why all lights blink, go out, stay at the brightest level when you do the various things you have described.