Lights?
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Lights?
Okay, here is the situation... I have a 2002 F350 with an aftermarket rear bumper and some altered trailer wiring by the previous owner. With my gooseneck horse trailer the exterior lights/brakes work as they should. However, on my relatively new flatbed car trailer only one brake light/signal works, nothing else. However, on my 2012 Ram 1500 both trailers and brakes work as they should. So I know it's not the trailer, at least it doesn't appear to be since the trailer works perfect on the Ram. I know the that the lights and everything work with the horse trailer when hooked to the Ford. Both trailers are connected to the 7-pin on the bumper. I've tried tapping into the bumper on the truck and into the frame on the trailer and running a wire directly from one to other for a solid ground and that did nothing. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to try next? I would rather use the F350 than the 1500 to pull cars and other heavy loads around. Thanks in advance!
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From: Frederick, MD
First thing I think I would do in your case is get a 7 pin tester that you can plug in and see what you have.
I think you will end up pulling the plug and checking/verifying what wires connect to what pin and of course verifying that they are all even connected.
I think that would be my starting point.
The one trailer that works and the other that does not is puzzling.
I think you will end up pulling the plug and checking/verifying what wires connect to what pin and of course verifying that they are all even connected.
I think that would be my starting point.
The one trailer that works and the other that does not is puzzling.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Not sure what you mean by "altered trailer wiring", but if I am following you and trying to cut-to-the-chase both trailers work with the newer truck, but only the older trailer works with the older truck. Hooking the newer trailer to the older truck results in only partial lights.
To troubleshoot, you tried running a secondary ground, but that did not improve the situation with the newer trailer/older truck.
Now if I have the situation correctly, I am guessing the seven pin connection on the Ford needs to be cleaned up as it is not making good contact on all the pins to the newer trailer. It knows the old trailer from days past and they are good friends and have shaken hands many times in the past, but it is less friendly with the seven pin on the newer trailers and makes only a partial connection.
Again I am guessing both trailers work on the newer truck because the seven pin on that truck is newer and makes better contact with both trailer seven pins. The "altered wiring" on the older truck may be an issue, but needs further clarification to have a sense of what was done there.
Does this fit?
Steve
To troubleshoot, you tried running a secondary ground, but that did not improve the situation with the newer trailer/older truck.
Now if I have the situation correctly, I am guessing the seven pin connection on the Ford needs to be cleaned up as it is not making good contact on all the pins to the newer trailer. It knows the old trailer from days past and they are good friends and have shaken hands many times in the past, but it is less friendly with the seven pin on the newer trailers and makes only a partial connection.
Again I am guessing both trailers work on the newer truck because the seven pin on that truck is newer and makes better contact with both trailer seven pins. The "altered wiring" on the older truck may be an issue, but needs further clarification to have a sense of what was done there.
Does this fit?
Steve
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Thanks for the replies! I should clarify, the "altered wiring" is that with the aftermarket bumper the wiring plug is no longer the OEM one, but a 7-blade inside of the bumper. Additionally, there is an old 6-pin for an older gooseneck mounted in the bed so that is tapped in to the harness. I failed to mention that I already replaced the 7-blade connector on the truck and took it apart again to confirm it is all connected. I also took the plug apart, cleaned it up, checked connections, etc. I will look for a wiring tester.
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