Trailer lights

[tinkman]

I have brake lights and turn signals on trailer but no tail lights marker lights. I am inclined to think I have a broken wire etc... on that circuit, however not sure. I thought about just buying a wire harness kit and rewiring the trailer unless I it's a simple fix. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trailer lights

Well I would start out with one of the plug in testers at the tow vehicle plug in its self. When you have a complete loss thats the place to start. Not knowing how old the harness is, they often have newer plugs added over the years and it could be as simple as a bad connection and often is. But you need to know that you are getting power to the trailer harness to start off with, and in this case it should be the brown wire that carries the running light power for the side marker and tail lights.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=trailer+light+tester




click on the drawing to make it big enough to read

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Trailer lights

ahh the joys of trailer lights!

light test the tow vehicles plug. if ok, check the actual metal connections, scuff with sand paper if needed

check all wire connectors for solid connections

if still no good, honestly replace the entire wiring. I end up replacing the entire wireing every so many years. chasing down old wires that have been out in the sun and under water is no fun. breaks can happen even where you cant see them.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailer lights

my right hand tail light was out due to a break in the wire at the side marker lamp's splice--a likely place for failure.

 

[Pelletmonster]

Re: Trailer lights

what kind is the tow vehicle ? Like someone said check the truck first to see if u have tail lights in your trailer plug.. Alot of the newer trucks/suv's have a seperate fuse for JUST the trailer marker lights ( even tho they work fine on the tow vehicle) look in your owners manual under fuses abd see if it has anything marked Trlr T.L.

 

[burp]

Re: Trailer lights

what kind is the tow vehicle ? Like someone said check the truck first to see if u have tail lights in your trailer plug.. Alot of the newer trucks/suv's have a seperate fuse for JUST the trailer marker lights ( even tho they work fine on the tow vehicle) look in your owners manual under fuses abd see if it has anything marked Trlr T.L.

X2

Ford trucks have a fuse in the fuse box located in the engine compartment for the trailer marker lights.

 

[tinkman]

Re: Trailer lights

what kind is the tow vehicle ? Like someone said check the truck first to see if u have tail lights in your trailer plug.. Alot of the newer trucks/suv's have a seperate fuse for JUST the trailer marker lights ( even tho they work fine on the tow vehicle) look in your owners manual under fuses abd see if it has anything marked Trlr T.L.

I pull it with at 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. I will try all your suggestions. Thank you all for your input.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trailer lights

And the very reason I sugested a test plug at the truck side to start off with.