Trailer light problems.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 13
Trailer light problems.
I have a 2009 F-150 STX and the past couple times I've pulled my snowmobile trailer, the running lights on the trailer didn't work. The turn signals, emergency flashers, and the brake lights worked, but no running lights. I'm almost certain it's being caused by my truck because my buddy hooked his truck to the trailer and the running lights worked fine. I also hooked my wave runner trailer up to my truck and experienced the same issue. I've never experienced this problem until just recently. Any ideas what could be causing this?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Rule #1 in resolving electrical problems is to check ground wires for cleanliness and connection.
You seem to have eliminated the trailer as the problem when you connected it to another vehicle. Are the tail lights working? You mentioned turn signal and brake lights. Emergency flasher is usually same as doing both turn signals at the same time.
Get under the rear bumper and make sure all your connections to the wire harness are clean and firmly attached.
You seem to have eliminated the trailer as the problem when you connected it to another vehicle. Are the tail lights working? You mentioned turn signal and brake lights. Emergency flasher is usually same as doing both turn signals at the same time.
Get under the rear bumper and make sure all your connections to the wire harness are clean and firmly attached.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
One of the first and easy things I check when something like this happens is the trailer connector on my truck. It is constantly exposed to a barrage of road crap and things that cause corrosion. Often I've spliced off of the original ground wire to the connector and added a second ground to the frame. Easy to do and might be a fix.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 619
Likes: 6
From: Steeler Country
Its more likely the trailer connector on the back of your truck. Since it works fine on the other truck, you have eliminated the trailer being the problem. Probably corrosion inside connector. Use a magnifying glass if needed, but usually it can be seen. Discoloration of the pin. Use WD-40 and a rag, pick, small toothbrush, metal brush as last resort. Metal brushes will clean it quick, but also take off the silver type coating at times, leaving bare metal which likes to corrode faster.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 619
Likes: 6
From: Steeler Country
fuse makes sense, I had a small package in glovebox, one fuse and one relay, for trailer power I believe.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
Trailer tow lamp relay. Fuse #1 , 20amp mini.
Just looked it up. I don't know why I had it in my head why I thought this was an intermittent thing.
Just looked it up. I don't know why I had it in my head why I thought this was an intermittent thing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 13
Yeah it ended up being the trailer tow park lamp relay. 20 amp fuse under the hood. Fuse # 31 I believe. Decided to take another look through my owners manual and thought, "hmmm this might be it" lol. Took a look and discovered it was blown. I appreciate everyone's input.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post