Trailer Lights

[frosteeone]

Is there any simple solution to this lighting problem? I bought a simple lighting package for my '99 Dodge Dakota (from Wal-Mart) and installed it. When I hook it to my used trailer all the "side" lights come on and my drivers side "tail" lights work correctly, but my passenger side "tail" lights go out when I hit the brakes. Running lights & blinkers work correctly, but they just go totally out when I step on the brakes.... (All lights on the truck still work normally).<br /><br />I just bought the trailer used.....Came with a 14' Lowe semi-V, carpeted deck, and an Electric Start 9.8 Mercury motor for $800 (a deal?). Anyway, motor's in the shop for water pump problem. (so maybe not...). St. Louis area...

 

[crab bait]

Re: Trailer Lights

do you have amber lites on the truck..??

 

[frosteeone]

Re: Trailer Lights

amber lights? Yes, on the sides of the trailer. On the front of the truck, the turn signals are amber (along with fog lights). On the black, it's all red.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Trailer Lights

check and/or retighten fastening bolts for tailight assembly on passenger side of trailer.<br /><br />symptoms indicate a poor ground. also verify the trailer is grounded well to the vehicle. <br /><br />if you have jumper cables you might check for bad ground like this: with tailights on, and brick on brakes (and passgr side out)<br />- pull lens cover off to get to the bulb socket. <br />- clamp red or black(of one end of jumpercables) to frame of trailer, use screwdriver clamped in other end to touch bulb socket. does light then work? if not, move clamp from trailer to vehicle frame/metal to check it.<br /><br />HTH (hope this helps)<br /><br />if not, come back for more crazy ideas

 

[blifsey]

Re: Trailer Lights

Did the wiring kit specifically mention application for the Dakota? On my '96 Durango, it took a special wiring kit; the typical 4-wire kits won't work with. I think that is why Crab Bait asked about amber lights...most vehicles that need the special kit have amber turn signals in rear but my Durango didn't and perhaps Dakota is same way.<br /><br />If that's not it, Ebb is probably right on about the ground. Did you ground the white wire to you truck frame and is the white wire on trailer plug grounded to trailer frame? Don't depend on the ball/hitch for sufficient ground.

 

[frosteeone]

Re: Trailer Lights

thanks for the info. I'll print out your instructions and give it a shot. ---Yeah, the package was designed specifically for Dakota's 95-00. Thanks guys!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer Lights

I'll Garentee you don't have Good Ground to All your Lights...Along with a Solid Ground Between the Truck,+ Trailer.....<br />Use the jumper cables mentioned above... Hook 1 end to a Bare Metal Ground on the Trailer... The other end to a Bare Metal Ground on the Truck... Your Lights WILL Work Perfectly....

 

[frosteeone]

Re: Trailer Lights

Thanks all. -- I'm sure it was grounding related. Did I fail to mention that the boat was never on the ball hitch when I was testing? Well I put it on tonight and it worked. Duh? Thanks! Great site...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Lights

Frostee, grounding thru the hitch ball works, most of the time, but is unreliable. Connect the ground wire in the wiring harness to a bolt on the coupler and you will be better off.

 

[frosteeone]

Re: Trailer Lights

roscoe:<br /><br />I did have them grounded from both ends. Trailer side was pre-grounded when i bought it (but I guess I could check and make sure the bolt is tightly fastened...). I grounded the truck side myself when I installed the light package. It just didn't seem to work until I connected the trailer to the hitch. What does that mean???

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Trailer Lights

it means you still have a weak ground, and it requires the hitch coupling to help it out.<br /><br />remember - the power to burn the trailer lights comes from the vehicle battery. and that requires a complete circuit - both positive(power) AND negative(frame ground).