Trailer Lights
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA
Trailer Lights
Exp Gurus,
With your help, just purchased a 98 Expy with 56K. Went to hook up the boat last night by inserting the handy expy device with the 4prong pig tail then hooking my trailer lights and none of my lights worked. Advice on next steps??
thx
joe
With your help, just purchased a 98 Expy with 56K. Went to hook up the boat last night by inserting the handy expy device with the 4prong pig tail then hooking my trailer lights and none of my lights worked. Advice on next steps??
thx
joe
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
First check the compatibility of the connectors, some trailers dont have the same wiring scheme, and make sure the adaptor is inserted correctly as the previous owner may have broken the adaptor. Next check the fuses for trailer in the power distribution box under the hood. Get a test light and verify power to the various pins in the 7 pin socket and that the 4 pin adaptor is transfering the power to the correct pin. Ive seen quite a few of them broken or defective. Also check that the connectors to the trailor harness are actually plugged in.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
True enough, HOmerwinzlow. I had to rewire my trailer plug to fit the Ford adaptor that came with my Expy.
I always start at the power source with the test light and work my way back. That way it eliminates a lot of false negatives.
I always start at the power source with the test light and work my way back. That way it eliminates a lot of false negatives.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Springfield VA
OK I took the test list to the 7 pin socket and only got 1 socket to give me "light" on the test. None of the other sockets gave me a positive reading and by the way it was the socket marked negative on the little lid that protects the socket.
Needless to say when I tested the adapater I did not get any "light" either. How common is it to have a bad socket? The truck is a 98...think I need to replace the socket? I can't believe it is the trailer since the lights worked last summer and it has not been out of the garage since then.
Open to suggestions!
thanks
joe
Needless to say when I tested the adapater I did not get any "light" either. How common is it to have a bad socket? The truck is a 98...think I need to replace the socket? I can't believe it is the trailer since the lights worked last summer and it has not been out of the garage since then.
Open to suggestions!
thanks
joe
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
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From: Where Critters Are Free
I hate to say this because I get the same problem every other year. You have to rewire the plug. dirt get in there & raises hell with it corrodes it out. I have three trucks I have to do that to. Alot of the time I have to replace the 7 pin plug too. Good luck. 
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 125
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From: Liverpool, NY
I have had to replace my 7 pin connector twice in the past 6 months due to corrosion. The first time, I had just picked up the Expy and it didn't have a cover for the 7 way.
Here is the color code using Ford's wiring harness with a new car-end connector. This can be picked up at any RV center.
1 - White - Common Ground
2 - Blue - Electric Brake
3 - Brown with White Stripe - Tail/Running Lights
4 - Orange - Battery Charge (+)
5 - Yellow - Left Turn/Stop
6 - Green - Right Turn/Stop
7 - Black with Green Stripe - Auxilliary/Back Up
This time, I used a hot glue gun and covered all the connections to help
prevent corrosion. I also covered the outside where the cable enters the
connector with a lot of electrical tape.
I hope that this helps.
Keith
Here is the color code using Ford's wiring harness with a new car-end connector. This can be picked up at any RV center.
1 - White - Common Ground
2 - Blue - Electric Brake
3 - Brown with White Stripe - Tail/Running Lights
4 - Orange - Battery Charge (+)
5 - Yellow - Left Turn/Stop
6 - Green - Right Turn/Stop
7 - Black with Green Stripe - Auxilliary/Back Up
This time, I used a hot glue gun and covered all the connections to help
prevent corrosion. I also covered the outside where the cable enters the
connector with a lot of electrical tape.
I hope that this helps.
Keith
Last edited by KeithE524; Apr 17, 2004 at 09:26 AM. Reason: add information
