trailer light or wiring?

[Fishin' Jeff]

Hi all, I just got a pair of trailer lights at Wally World (my road side one was bad...I think) Any way, hooked the new one up and nothin. I checked all my grounds and connections and found one loose connection on the brown wire. I reconnected it and now have a brake light, and left turn signal - no tail light So I then replaced both lights (a 168 and a 1157) still same reaction - no tail light. Do I maybe have a bad "unit" that needs to be taken back to Wal Mart or do I have a wiring problem? Thanks in advance!

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: trailer light or wiring?

No way to know without doing some checking with a test light. Start with the plug on the truck to make sure you're getting proper current there. No doubt you are, but always start at the trunk of the tree and work out each branch from there. Next, check at the socket. You'll most likely find no current there. Then, back up toward the source (plug) until you find the point where you have proper current. You'll find your problem between the last "dead spot" and the first place you find proper current. The only thing this doesn't account for is a proper ground - and this is very often the source of electrical problems so I'd start there. If that doesn't solve your problem start from the plug and go from there.

 

[Fishin' Jeff]

Re: trailer light or wiring?

Thank you vey much, Terry!<br /><br />I will get to work with my tester right away!

 

[beezee28]

Re: trailer light or wiring?

I have a similar problem too after connecting every thing and no lights. I clean the area where the ground is connected to the trailer to make sure that it is clean and no rust and then recoonect the ground wire to the frame and this time I get a connection with lights. <br /><br />You might have to run a separate ground wire to where the trailer lights at the back.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer light or wiring?

i always run a continuity ground wire. it takes 5 minutes, and stops a lot of headaches. besure you have a go ground on towing vehicle. some newer models don't ground thur the body anymore.

 

[Fishin' Jeff]

Re: trailer light or wiring?

Okay I've tested and have good current at the plug, good current at a joint of the trailer where I can test the wires, good current there, but none where it exits the trailer near the light. The curb side one funtions fine. So I guess I will re-check all my grounds and then pull new wire for the curb side?