Ok, electrical experts, like Jim....help!
Thread Starter
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Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
Ok, electrical experts, like Jim....help!
Ok, long story made short. I bought a new trailer for my jet ski. The trailer is much nicer than our current one. The only problem I am having is that the lights will not come on when I turn the headlights on. All other lights, stop and turn signals, work fine. All lights work on the old trailer.
Any ideas where I should start to look?
Any ideas where I should start to look?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Pull a bulb and check the contacts with a multi-meter to see if there's voltage there. If so, you have a bulb problem. Could be incorrect bulbs in it, too. If there's no voltage there, you have a wiring problem and get to start tracing the wiring back to the plug... Fun stuff!!
If you want, PM me and I'll send you my phone number -- much easier to help out over the phone than posts on a forum....
If you want, PM me and I'll send you my phone number -- much easier to help out over the phone than posts on a forum....
Thread Starter
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Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
Alright, Joe. So, I turn the headlights on, pull a bulb and then check the contacts, right?
I will start there. Will also PM you. That phone call could come in handy.
It just started pouring here so I might not be working on it today....damn.
I will start there. Will also PM you. That phone call could come in handy.
It just started pouring here so I might not be working on it today....damn.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
I generally use a battery charger to put power to the trailer with a test light. If the brake lights are coming on then it is the brown wire going to each light for the running lights. The bulbs should be 1157, whith 2 elements. I hook the batter charger positive to the test light then stick the point on the pins of the trailer plug to have 12v to test the lights. Good luck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Is the ground wire on the trailer plug hooked to the frame, or is it cut off relying on a ground through the hitch & ball? This type of issue is common with a poor ground connection. If you drive it around the block a few times and the running lights start to work, then you've got a ground problem.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
clean the ball of real good. It's probably what Chris just said, bad ground. If not, I think the truck is beyond repair. I will take it off your hands for $1000.00. I will even drive out there with a trailer and pick it up for free....
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Thread Starter
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Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
Is the ground wire on the trailer plug hooked to the frame, or is it cut off relying on a ground through the hitch & ball? This type of issue is common with a poor ground connection. If you drive it around the block a few times and the running lights start to work, then you've got a ground problem.
Here's the trailer in case anyone is interested:
I have to show this to Susan.
Thread Starter
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Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
Yeah, the guy that owns the trailer store is a PSD owner. Nice guy with some really nice trailers for sale.
If any of you in the Houston area are looking for a toy hauler, car trailer, gooseneck, custom boat or PWC trailer, this is the guy to see. He gave me a really good deal and was a nice guy to talk to.
Trailer Connection
18123 Kuykendahl
Houston
281.320.1225
If any of you in the Houston area are looking for a toy hauler, car trailer, gooseneck, custom boat or PWC trailer, this is the guy to see. He gave me a really good deal and was a nice guy to talk to.
Trailer Connection
18123 Kuykendahl
Houston
281.320.1225
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
If the old trailer lights up then the connections from the truck are good. Check the ground first as the others stated then check for voltage at the sockets. I ran into this only once the plug from the factory was bad, the connection was not made inside of the molded connector.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
This neighborly, friends always willing to help friends is why this place is the best. And that's no small trip for Jason either.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
I did run into that on a trailer before. All I did was reground it and it was good. I can't fiqure out why though.