trailer electrical problems

[Godfirst]

Basically just bought boat and seller left me with this, blinkers and stop lights don't work all lights are on otherwise.

Thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Re: trailer electrical problems

You are welcome. . .

Yellow and green wires are the signal lights . . . brown wire is the running lights . . . white wire is the ground. Blue, if you have it is the backing lock-out.

So, check out what is going on with the yellow and green wiring

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: trailer electrical problems

Check the bulbs first (simple stuff first) the brake and turn lights run off the same filament in the bulb. I have seen many times that both sides the bulbs are burnt out.
Good luck and happy boating.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer electrical problems

What tow vehicle do you have. If the tow vehicle has separate turn and brake circuits you need a converter. Boat trailers and many tow vehicles use the same circuit for brake & turn signals. If your tow vehicle has an amber turn signal, that says a converter is needed. If you look at the tail lights on your vehicle and see separate bulbs for the brake and turn signals that is also a clue. On the other hand, if the tail and marker lights work but the stop/turn don't, then first verify that those circuits function on the tow vehicle. Just because the lights on the tow vehicle work doesn't mean the circuit is live in the tow vehicle trailer connector. If that works, then the issue is at the trailer. Since the tail/marker lights work, you do not have a trailer ground issue.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: trailer electrical problems

Standard 1 ton diesel truck 20,000 tow capicity, no names mentioned will troubleshoot from the harness and go back from there.
Thanks

 

[jclem]

Re: trailer electrical problems

I recently experienced similar trailer lighting problems. The best thing I did was purchase a $5 test light which made isolating the problem short work. If the wiring is several years old you might consider installing all new wiring. Kits are available that have all you need. Installation is a simple afternoon job. Total materials will only be around $25 and if installed correctly you shouldn't have to worry about lighting problems for a long time.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: trailer electrical problems

My personal opinion, once you verify the plug on the truck is working, and you isolated the problem to the trailer, I would decide if whether or not its worth fixing the wiring, or just rewire it. That is, after confirming the bulbs are ok. They make jacketed 4 wire trailer wire, which I am fan of, plus i am also a fan of running dedicated grounds to each light. Using a distribution box makes for a nice and tidy way to run wires, especially grounds. It also makes a great place to replace a pigtail, if the need should arise. If your trailer is 5 wire, i am not sure if the 5 comes jacketed. If not, you could always step up to 7 wire jacketed. I know you probably just want to get the stop and turn working. I am just giving you some food for thought ideas. Good luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer electrical problems

The quickest way to verify a ground and proper light operation on a trailer is to disconnect it from the tow vehicle. Break out your battery charger (large or small doesn't matter). Connect the negative clip to the ground terminal on the plug (white wire). Insert a nail into the positive clip and then touch each of the other three terminals. Brown = both trail and marker lights should light. Tail lights are the dimmer of the two filaments in a 1034 or 1157 bulb. Green and yellow are the turn signals and each should light bright when the applicable terminal is touched. If things don't work right, move the ground clip directly to an unpainted portion of the trailer frame or a bolt and try again. If stuff now works, the ground is bad.

 

[beezee28]

Re: trailer electrical problems

Change my trailer lights out and replaced them with LED and couldn't be happier. The lights are now brighter and no bulb to change. Also I soldered the end wire and also where split are needed for better connection. It takes longer to finish the work but in the end all connection are tight.