Trailer Lights
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
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Trailer Lights
Been having a on/off problem with my trailer lights.
Some times the right hand side does not work, them it starts working.
I thought it was my trailer until I rented a bobcat this weekend. They couldn't get the right side lights to work.
I stopped by my Ford dealer and a service tech came out and checked out my pigtail. All checked ok.
It seems odd that both trailers would not work on the right side.
Two different types of tailers. One is my RV, the othere was a flat bed for hauling the bobcat.
Any ideas???? Thanks in advance.
Some times the right hand side does not work, them it starts working.
I thought it was my trailer until I rented a bobcat this weekend. They couldn't get the right side lights to work.
I stopped by my Ford dealer and a service tech came out and checked out my pigtail. All checked ok.
It seems odd that both trailers would not work on the right side.
Two different types of tailers. One is my RV, the othere was a flat bed for hauling the bobcat.
Any ideas???? Thanks in advance.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,162
Likes: 15,984
From: Wisconsin
To me this sounds like a ground issue on the trailer, but the fact that it's both of them is very strange. A meter on the left turn signal out put and then the right should tell you if the truck is sending equal current to the trailer. If they are the same, then try the trailer. It's possible (but highly unlikely) that both trailer's are having similar issues. I would remove the ground on one of the trailers, clean up the contact to the frame of the trailer and try again just to rule out a ground issue on one of the trailers to be sure. Once you do that (and likely haven't fixed anything), then move on to the truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
It's not THAT unlikely. Two random trailers could very well have issues that result in the same symptoms. Try a third trailer, any trailer. It generally takes at least three data points to indicate a trend, which is important in this case since the answer does not appear to be immediately obvious. The chances of two trailers coincidentally having issues that lead to the same symptom isn't likely, but not unthinkable. The chances of three trailers in a row, though, are vastly less likely. Are they all 4-way or 7-way connectors a mix of both?
So if the third trailer has no issue, then it's probably an issue in the first two trailers. If it exhibits the same problem, then it's probably in your truck somewhere. Use a multimeter to get the current being passed, and use the trailer connector's ground lug for the ground (so you know if that ground lug or the wire it's attached to might have a problem).
So if the third trailer has no issue, then it's probably an issue in the first two trailers. If it exhibits the same problem, then it's probably in your truck somewhere. Use a multimeter to get the current being passed, and use the trailer connector's ground lug for the ground (so you know if that ground lug or the wire it's attached to might have a problem).
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
The OP doesn't appear to have one and feel comfortable breaking it out at any time. Additionally, it may have already had a multimeter on it, but it's difficult to tell when all we know is that a tech "checked it out." It should be pretty easy to plug into a trailer and see if it also shows the same issue unless there's no other trailer in his neighborhood or work area or any friends or family that he knows or any place that sells trailers, so that it becomes a problem locating one.
It makes it pretty easy: if there's no problem on the 3rd trailer, then it's not the truck. If it's the same problem with the 3rd trailer, then he can take it back to the dealership and present them with that info.
It makes it pretty easy: if there's no problem on the 3rd trailer, then it's not the truck. If it's the same problem with the 3rd trailer, then he can take it back to the dealership and present them with that info.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 125
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From: Battle Mountain NV
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OK..
All of the pins checked out at 12v. Except the brake at 7, then it occured to me that the brake controler was dictating the voltage.
Went thru the camper and removed and sanded the ground wires.
All lights are now bright and working well.
Will be leaving for a camping trip in a week or so, will advise if she is still working.
Thanks for all your advice, this is what makes this forum (and the COG "Coucouse Owners Group" forum) a cut above.
I will dig around and try to find the plug ground.
Thanks again.
All of the pins checked out at 12v. Except the brake at 7, then it occured to me that the brake controler was dictating the voltage.
Went thru the camper and removed and sanded the ground wires.
All lights are now bright and working well.
Will be leaving for a camping trip in a week or so, will advise if she is still working.
Thanks for all your advice, this is what makes this forum (and the COG "Coucouse Owners Group" forum) a cut above.
I will dig around and try to find the plug ground.
Thanks again.
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