Can't get yellow side lights to work

[stp119]

I bought a new set of wires for my trailer and I can't get yellow side lights to work. The red light in the back works but not the sides. It is a small trailer and the wiring has 4 wires and a ground (White, Yellow, Brown, Green, and another Brown). I grounded the white, ran the yellow and brown to the back left turn light and grounded the back light. Spliced the brown in the middle and ran it to the yellow light. Then I did the same on the other side (green and brown). Any ideas, please help.<br /><br />pod dog

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

GROUND!!! Make sure you have a good ground at all lights. The brown is your running lights and side markers. You are on the right track. Check the ground and the bulbs too. Sometimes you have to run a seperate ground to the trailer from each light.<br /><br />Bob

 

[stp119]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

I tried grounding them both and still no luck. I think the light gets grounded when you bolt it to the trailer. I also tried grounding it using a wire attached to the trailer. Still no luck. Any other suggestions.<br /><br />Thanks, pod dog

 

[blifsey]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

If you connect a 12V source directly to lights, do they come on? Check any old connectors that you didn't replace, if any. Using length of wire and volt meter, check continuity from the ground wire of plug on trailer (white wire) to the ground of the light socket (outer part of socket). This will be sure attaching light to trailer made a good ground. I agree with Bob_VT, a separate ground to each light might be needed. You could also use length of test wire and volt meter to check that the socket is getting juice.<br /><br />BL...

 

[drizler]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

You did the right thing replacing the harness if its giving you problems on an old trailer. Thats gotten to be standard SOP as its quicker than fixing the next problem(s) which come soon thereafter. For the non working side markers try probing the wire or bulb socket with a 12V test indicator light. Find where the wire for the side markers hot lead connects to the wire for the running lights, it must someplace. If its giving you fits and you gotta remove lots of goodies to get at it theres possibly another solution. You can cut that part of the loom and run it to the nearest live part of the running lights harness or running light, just seal it good after. Check those grounds out first though. Its more than likely just that or connection, corrosion on socket, bulb or ground. <br /> Use a battery and jumper wires to furnish power directly to the offending lights and make sure that you have them working before you do any rearranging. Its real handy to have a couple sets of 10' jumper wires with roach clip ends, a long coil of spare wire for the long jobs, a decent 12 V test light and spare battery I fell in love with my $45.Sams Club jumper gell cell and wouldn't be without one ever again. Gives lots of reassurance when your'e going out with a battery you think may be starting to go. Gee I just used all that crap and more yesterday to fix bayliners crap crimp connections to my bow lights. Fun Fun but don't despair.

 

[stp119]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

I got the side lights running. I cleaned up the metal where I bolted on the lights and got a good ground.<br /><br />Thanks for your help, pod-dog

 

[blifsey]

Re: Can't get yellow side lights to work

Glad you got them. Almost all trailer light problems are related to ground.<br /><br />BL...