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Trailer wiring problem #11272388 12/09/15 07:37 PM
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Ridintriton Offline OP
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We are wiring the lights for an old trailer and are having a problem I was hoping someone would have the answer for. Both blinkers, hazards, and brakes are working, but can't get the running lights to work. Anyone ever had this problem or know what it could be?

Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11272467 12/09/15 08:14 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline
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Here is a page with all the possibilities for wiring a trailer. Look at the chart and pick the plug you are using.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

As far as the running lights, it is usually a bad ground, but you say the brake lights work. Test for power at the vehicle plug. To put a stop to 90% of trailer light problems, get a wire lug and soldier it on the white wire of the trailer and screw it to a spot cleaned of all paint and rust. Trailers don't like grounding thru the ball.


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Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11272497 12/09/15 08:38 PM
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kingdad101 Offline
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bad ground


Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11272764 12/09/15 11:11 PM
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Joshua wendel Offline
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If all the other lights are working it is not a ground it is a power issue with the running lights. Test for power at the truck likely to be blown fuse, if power is good coming from the truck there will be a break in the brown wire on the trailer.

Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11275246 12/11/15 01:59 AM
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Freeman Clark Offline
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Tail lights will be feeding the brown wire.
If you have any other lights you can rule out a bad ground.

Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11275304 12/11/15 02:20 AM
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gary purdy Offline
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Trailer running light fuse


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Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: kingdad101] #11275389 12/11/15 02:50 AM
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Originally Posted By: kingdad101
bad ground




https://www.etrailer.com/question-66823.html


Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11275922 12/11/15 02:15 PM
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BODA Offline
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ground. 99.9% of electrical issues on a trailer are a ground, same as the boat

Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11276076 12/11/15 03:13 PM
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Bernie Lee Offline
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Have you checked the power on the running lights comeing out of the truck connection? If you have power there then it is in your trailer wireing.Is the brown wire good on your trailer plug?


Bernie Lee
Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11276287 12/11/15 05:09 PM
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gary purdy Offline
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Bad Ground all of the lights go haywire. Check it with a 12v manual battery charger. - to trailer and + to brown running lights wire at the trailer plug. That is what I use when re-wiring a trailer because of things just like this. Some of the new pickups do not have the trailer light fuse installed from the factory.


The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything. Remember what He has done and remember that He is not done yet!-- GOD IS GOOD
Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11276836 12/11/15 10:25 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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Check the signal voltages at the truck plug using a volt meter and having someone operate the brakes and turn signals. That cuts the troubleshooting time in half by telling you if the problem is in the trailer or the truck. if it turns out to be in the trailer, I would run a new wiring harness(they're cheap and hardwire grounds to each of the lights. I wouldn't trust getting it through a screw in the frame or through the hitch ball.
If you have to do any connections, use heat shrink butt connectors with adhesive or heat shrink with adhesive to keep water out.


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Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Bob Landry] #11276916 12/11/15 11:38 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Bob Landry
Check the signal voltages at the truck plug using a volt meter and having someone operate the brakes and turn signals. That cuts the troubleshooting time in half by telling you if the problem is in the trailer or the truck. if it turns out to be in the trailer, I would run a new wiring harness(they're cheap and hardwire grounds to each of the lights. I wouldn't trust getting it through a screw in the frame or through the hitch ball.
If you have to do any connections, use heat shrink butt connectors with adhesive or heat shrink with adhesive to keep water out.


Why do you think they put a short white ground wire on new wiring harnesses? To attach it to the frame with a screw. Try reading the instructions with the harness.I have never seen a wiring harness that had hard wire grounds at each light. Can you give me a manufacturer and part number? Some lights have a ground made into the housing, but if you lose that ground it will then ground thru the bulb ahead of that light. That will make all lights dim and turn signals will dimly activate all the lights grounding thru that circuit.


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Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11277663 12/12/15 01:54 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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It's not a reliable connection but the trailer manufacturers do it because it's cheap. The instructions are not going to tell you to do it, but a lot of people do and it resolves a lot of intermittent light problems. If it's not your thing, simply don't do it. Seems pretty simple to me.


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Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Ridintriton] #11277751 12/12/15 03:06 PM
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Gamblinman Offline
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the wire that runs the running lights is broken or is nicked and grounded on the trailer somewhere. Check that wire very carefully.

Re: Trailer wiring problem [Re: Bob Landry] #11277816 12/12/15 03:48 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Bob Landry
It's not a reliable connection but the trailer manufacturers do it because it's cheap. The instructions are not going to tell you to do it, but a lot of people do and it resolves a lot of intermittent light problems. If it's not your thing, simply don't do it. Seems pretty simple to me.


How do you get a ground from the trailer and the vehicle if you don't connect the short white wire to the trailer frame? From 44 years experience in trailer repair, I have never found any other way to ground the trailer frame and the vehicle.


Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!


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