Crazy Trailer Lights

[jfkkesler]

I have a Calkins Trailer for my 18 Ft. Reinell, and I think it is crazy. here's what happens:

When I hook up the lights to my truck, everything works just fine (Blinkers and brakes) but when I turn the headlights of the truck on, everything gets screwed. The tail lights come on, but as soon as I hit the brakes, the tail lights go dark. Also, when I put either turn signal on, both lights flash in the back. So when I push the brakes, the lights shut off, and both turn signals flash when only one is supposed to but only when my trucks headlights are turned on. My current solution is to not turn my trucks headlights on, but with Salmon Season (Pacific North West!!!) upon us, I am starting to get out on the water in the wee hours of the morning, which requires headlights. Help?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

first check the grounds most trailer light problems are due to bad grounds. they can cause weird things.

 

[DJ]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Grounds, grounds, grounds!!!!

Classic ground issue.

The "White" wire is your ground. There should be a connection between the trailer and your tow vehicle on the white wire. Preferably through the wire pigtail.

DO NOT count on your hitch as a ground. Run a seperate one, via the white wire.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Grounds, grounds, grounds!!!!

Classic ground issue.

The "White" wire is your ground. There should be a connection between the trailer and your tow vehicle on the white wire. Preferably through the wire pigtail.

DO NOT count on your hitch as a ground. Run a seperate one, via the white wire.

What he said...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

classis case of bad ground from trailer to tow vehicle.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Agree with all the above "grounded" advice, but also some trailers pivot in the middle without running the ground wire past this point.
When rust builds up at the pivot it's a light show mess!

 

[jfkkesler]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

So where exactly should I check for a good ground connection? At the plugs between trailer and my truck? There are also white ground wires that attach underneath the nuts holding the actual lights on the trailer. These are making a nice solid connection. Thanks for the help!

 

[DJ]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Remove any ground wires you see and clean the areas, then reattach.

Also, run a seperate (temporary) wire from your lights directly to the truck side pigtail (white wire). This should eliminate your issue. Once you verify that then you can start going backwards checking to see where your grounding breaks down.

As mentioned, some "tilt" trailers lose the ground at the tilt pivot. You may have to install a ground wire around the tilt mechanism. Not uncommon.

 

[109jb]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Personally, I run dedicated ground wires from the trailer plug to each of the tail lights. I just don't like to rely on the trailer for the ground. Since I've been doing it this way I have never had a problem with trailer lights.

 

[jfkkesler]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

So are you guys saying to cut the white wire just before the pigtail and run it straight to the lights? Im relatively inexperienced at this. Does someone want to give me a step by step here? Thanks -- you guys are awesome!

 

[cribber]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

I wouldn't cut anything just yet. What type of connector do you use between the trailer and your vehicle?

Here is a link to a site that lays out wiring diagrams for 4way, 6way, etc.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_wiring.aspx

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Clean all the ground connections you can find first. Some crazy things happen with bad grounding as has been said already. Run a seperate ground wire from the truck to the trailer ground and check out the difference.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

Could be the instalation especially if you had a so-called pro install the wire end on the car. I have had a trailer hich place screw up my lights twice in a row. The first time it was u-haul and they put the hitch and wiring in the car. They blew out the relay in the car and had to send it back to the dealership to get it right. In all fairness, they had never worked on that particular type of vehicle (1990 Ford Probe in 1991) and they were very honest and admitted they had screwed it up. The only negative is that I had to take it to the dealer and get it fixed on my time and thier dollar.

Second time, a small shop did not check thier work and I had to take it back to get it done right.

From then on I did my own lighting work.

Can you test the trailer on another vehicle or your vehicle on another trailer?

TerryMSU

 

[jfkkesler]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

I did get the chance to test it on another trailer, and everything worked fine. Which is why i am thinking it has to do with the wiring on the trailer. About a third of the way back on the trailer there is a black wire hanging down that isn't connected to anything. It doesn't look like there is any exposed wire on the end, just a black plastic string almost. Could that have anything to do with it? What do you guys mean when you say run a separate ground? Thats the part Im not understanding.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

I did get the chance to test it on another trailer, and everything worked fine. Which is why i am thinking it has to do with the wiring on the trailer. About a third of the way back on the trailer there is a black wire hanging down that isn't connected to anything. It doesn't look like there is any exposed wire on the end, just a black plastic string almost. Could that have anything to do with it? What do you guys mean when you say run a separate ground? Thats the part Im not understanding.

Do not rely on the current ground wire on your trailer. Connect a test wire to the ground from your vehicle and run it to a ground on your trailer. Seperate from your plug / socket connection. Make it long enough that you can get to the light ground on your lights.
I solved a lights problem once on my E-Z loader trailer by simply going around it and tightening all the bolts.
Good Luck.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

When I wire a trailer, the grounding system is a seperate wire, spliced and sealed like all the hot wires, and I never rely on the frame for grounding.

New lights are all plastic anyway, so it actually takes less parts.

hope it helps
John

 

[jfkkesler]

Re: Crazy Trailer Lights

So today I had to replace one of the trailer lights (backed up while not paying quite enough attention and broke the red plastic cover off), and in the process I discovered that although the ground wire was making a solid connection, it was completely rusted. As soon as I twisted the nut to take the light off, the ground wire broke. So I replaced the light, re-stripped and attached the ground wire, and now all works fine! Thanks for all the helpful info! Also, I have a thread in the mercury section, but nobody has replied. Anyone care to look at it? Thanks --