Trouble with trailer lights...

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Jul 20, 2004 | 01:48 PM

99TexasFord

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Trouble with trailer lights...

I'm having some trouble fixin the light for my trailer i know the bulbs are good (hooked another truck to the trailer)...The turn signals and running lights work but only the brake lights dont work...i've checked most the fuses and wiring any suggestions?

Thanks

Jul 20, 2004 | 02:22 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

Check your ground, although the other functions are working, they don't require as much flow to work, and when the brake lights draw hard, the ground can be an issue. Are they simply not on, or way dim?

Jul 20, 2004 | 02:30 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

make certain your grounds are good, the extra energy flow requires a good circuit, and if the ground isn't good, the brake lights go dim or out.

Jul 20, 2004 | 02:43 PM

Big Orn

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From: NE Texas

You are aware that you have seperate fuses for the truck and trailer, right?

The trailer fuses are under the hood.

If you know that, then it is most likely the ground.

Jul 20, 2004 | 03:38 PM

johnsdiesel

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From: Denton,TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by fellro86

make certain your grounds are good, the extra energy flow requires a good circuit, and if the ground isn't good, the brake lights go dim or out.

Very true. Sometimes people rely on the hitch ball to ground the trailer lights but this doesn't always work, especially if you have a bunch of grease on the ball.

Jul 20, 2004 | 04:17 PM

teepee542

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I had the same problem with the added symptom that both turnsignals would flash when I had the left on and neither would flash when I had the right on. After disconnecting every bulb and wire and spending 30 miniutes with a multi-mter it turned out that the ground wire on the towing vehicle was not hooked to anything. I attached it to a bumper bracket bolt and the problem went away.