I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

[plaid_retina]

Everytime I hook my boat trailer into the connector it will blow the brake light fuse when I put on the brake, and the turn signal fuse when I use it. I just had my F-150 rewired for a trailer connection, so I don't think the truck end is the problem, I also don't see any frays in the wire on the trailer, what do I need to look for?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

Look for a short in the brake light/turn signal circuit since brakes and turn signals use the same bulb. If you have separate bulbs for brakes and turn signals on your truck there is no way you can make the trailer lights work properly without some changes. If you have a battery charger, connect the ground lead to the trailer frame. Stick a nail in the POS lead and then probe the three pins on the trailer connector. The brown wire should light both tail lights and any running lights. The other two pins (green and yellow) should light the respective turn signal. They obviously won't blink since there is no flasher in the circuit. You are merely testing that circuit. If the meter pegs on the charger, there is a short in the trailer. IF all is well, use a test light on the truck to make sure the pins on the track match the wiring on the trailer. It may also be that one of the filaments in the bulb has broken and dropped down to create a short.

 

[plaid_retina]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

I have a auto light tester on the actual prong on my truck, and it lights up when the brakes/signals/lights are engaged. What is a converter for trailer lights? I read about them on another forum and I'm not sure what they are.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

A converter is not needed unless your truck has separate bulbs for STOP and TURN signals. Trailer lights have a single bulb. If your truck has amber turn signals that's a sign you need a converter. You also need to make sure you have a good ground (white wire) on the trailer as well as on your truck. The hitch ball is not a good ground.

 

[ufm82]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

Who did the rewire? I'll just about guarantee that the brake light/turn signal wire is routed so that it goes to ground on the trailer end. I would trace all the wiring to be absolutely certain where they are going. 99% of all trailer light issues are grounds- either bad, improper or none and that covers pretty much everything. <br /><br /> If the fuse blows right away, put in a new fuse and use the turn signals. Whichever side blows the fuse is the wire to trace. A good bet is that the hot wire from the truck is going directly to ground on the trailer. If you need a wiring diag, just remember- brown does the running lights. Yellow is left turn, green is right turn, white is the ground. Make certain that all the wires are connected in the plugs properly so the colors match up. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

And nothing works right if he has separate turn and stop lamps on the truck. Converter required.

 

[plaid_retina]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

Thanks guys, this helps alot. I had Uhaul wire it and the guy seems to know what he's doing, but I'm going to another location with the receipt and demand a look over,and a correction if needed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

Originally posted by plaid_retina:<br /> Thanks guys, this helps alot. I had Uhaul wire it and the guy seems to know what he's doing, but I'm going to another location with the receipt and demand a look over,and a correction if needed.

If the Guy at Uhaul wired the Truck,.......<br />He Did it Right.......<br /><br />The Problem is in the Trailer Wiring........... <br />Somewhere On the Trailer,..... Power is going Directly to Ground,+ Blowing your fuses..........<br />

And nothing works right if he has separate turn and stop lamps on the truck. Converter required.

He states it's an F-150,...... That's a Ford 1/2 ton,....... Single Bulbs.........<br />No Converter Needed............

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I keep blowing fuses in my F-150.

Why drive yourself nuts running all over looking for a problem on the truck when the problem is very likely the trailer. Do the trailer light test I indicated earlier using a battery charger (or another battery). Five minutes you'll know where the problem is.