Trailer wiring harness

[eeboater]

Ok, I need you guy's help. For some reason the trailer wiring harness in my Jeep died. I have a two-part question.<br /><br />First, I know the trailer lights are working because I hooked it up to another vehicle and they worked fine, so that ruled that out.<br /><br />Next, is it possible to use a Digital Multimeter to test that power is getting back there properly?<br /><br />If so, how do I use a digital multimeter?<br /><br />Sean

 

[dolluper]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

Use a test light but if you want to use the mutimeter set on 20 volt scale red in plug connector + and black lead to a good ground should get 12 volts if you have power at plug with lights on

 

[eeboater]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

Ok, when I did that -- I only got around 3-4 volts, does that make sense? Does that mean I have a bad ground? The bad ground can't be on the trailer tho... right?

 

[chuckz]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

If you got 3-4 volts on every pin, yes you have a bad ground. You were measuring at the vehicle connector so the bad ground is in the vehicle or where you grounded your meter.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

Did you try the trailer on another vehicle [I taught that's what you said above] You are testing at the back of the Jeep and the trailer in another county

 

[eeboater]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

OK I'll double check all of my grounds... thanks!!!<br /><br />I'll let you know what Happens.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

Not familiar with Jeep wiring.. but do you have a module between the harness and the lights?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

Check to make sure the ground wire going to the trailer is good. Usually it is just a wire attached to the metal trailer and if the connection is corroded or just touching paint the ground is bad. When you are testing with a volt meter make sure you are testing a tail light and not a turn signal. The turn signal will switch 12 volts on and off. Some trucks that are equipped with a class three hitch have a fuse to the trailer connection. In my F150 it is under the hood. Check your owners manual or your hitch package to see if this is the case.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Trailer wiring harness

It's very common for the ground wire to come loose on those. Find the ground pin in the connector and trace the wire back under the vehiclel. Chief