Lights out?

Surffx

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
133
You know I noticed something the other day that I thought I would ask for some help on.<br /><br />I tow with both my vehicles, on one of them all the trailer lights work just fine. So I don't think I have any problems with the trailer lights themselves. On the other vehicle the lights seem like they have some ground problem. One side works fine and the other side is very dim.<br /><br />1. How are they grounded? Through the connection to the trailer ball then through the car frame?<br /><br />2. Maybe it’s the flat-four connector on the vehicle, is there a way to clean it? But I get voltage there when I test.<br /><br />3. In that case is it worth cutting of the connector and crimping on a new one? I really would like to avoid that, it is a nice factory installed set up.<br /><br />Thanks in advance o' wise ones.
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: Lights out?

Testing with a multimeter or a test light? Sounds like you have voltage but not enough. Ground is the white wire on the 4-flat connector - quick way to see if that's your problem: connect the trailer frame to the car frame with a jumper cable - if they get bright that's it.<br /><br />wd-40 is good for cleaning electrical connectors.<br /><br />Cutting off the connector & splicing on a new one will work or just follow the wires on your vehicle to see if it's a plug-in - older cars it's just crimped on to the car taillights. Find the right adapter on etrailer.com
 

studlymandingo

Commander
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
2,716
Re: Lights out?

The white wire should be connected to your vehicle ground on the vehicle side, and the trailer on the trailer side. If the ball and hitch are your only source of ground, that could very well be your problem. <br /><br />2nd on the WD-40, I spray my connectors every couple of weeks, I dip in Salt Water though.
 

heycods

Captain
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
3,941
Re: Lights out?

Sounds like individual ground (left and right side) wires going back to lights. Its done sometime to get ground circut on trailers with fiberglass or plastic fenders. I think one side isnt grounded good. A little wire traceing in order.
 
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