Running lights

[BassCat73]

Ever since I got my boat out of storage, I've found that my running lights will not always work. I'm guessing it's a bad connection on a wire somehwere because when I'm driving sometimes the lights work fine and then, suddenly they turn off. It might happen during a bump in the road or something. So, what is the best way to find the bad connection? Is there a search method or could the problem be something else?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Running lights

On the boat or on the trailer?<br /><br />Clean any plugs and sockets with electrical contact cleaner. Check to see that any connections to the frame are clean and tight. Then follow the wires looking for a break. You can turn the lights on and then move the wires to see if the lights go out.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Running lights

It's on the trailer. Thanks for the tips. I do that. It'll probably be a tedious chore, but I don't think I have any other choice. The hunt is on!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

If both of them are going out at the same time start at the switch.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running lights

OOPS -- we forgot we were talking trailers here and not boat lights. Check the white wire (ground) on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Running lights

If you get them to bump off, and you can pull over, try shorting a wire between the tow vechicle frame (or any metal) and the trailer frame. If they come on the problem is in your ground wire.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Running lights

Originally posted by BassCat73:<br /> It's on the trailer. Thanks for the tips. I do that. It'll probably be a tedious chore, but I don't think I have any other choice. The hunt is on!

Another choice is to replace the wiring and lights with LED lights. You can get the complete kit for about $60.00 (you may need to buy the extra light if you have a wide trailer). LEDs are great for trailer lights, they are brighter, light up instantly, never burn out, and don't need to be disconnected and cooled before launching.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Running lights

I've checked the white wire in the vehicle where it attaches to a metal screw. I also checked the white wire on the trailer where it attaches to a screw. Both look tight and secure. The wire condition seems to be okay. <br /><br />The running lights are generally not working right now. They did go on at one point yesterday while I was driving, stayed on for about 5 minutes, then turned off again. The brake lights and turn signals work just fine though.<br /><br />I'll try shorting a wire as Jack suggested, but I'm not sure exactly what that means or what I'm supposed to do.

 

[chuckz]

Re: Running lights

Shorting to the frame is checking the ground. Do not just look at the white wire and say it looks good. Disconnect it, clean the connection and reattach it. This will have a good shot at solving your problem.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Running lights

Seperate the trailer from the tow vehicle and only connect the wires and test it. I bet none of the lights work. this is a gounding issue at that time.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Running lights

Thanks. I'll try both of those suggestions and see what happens.