Bad Ground, but where?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Bad Ground, but where?
This is probably a long shot but hopefully someone has had this problem or can shoot me in the right direction. I have a snowmobile trailer that I owe often. I hooked it up, checked the turn signals and the brake lights, work fine...when the running/head lights are off. When I turn the running/headlights on, the trailer lights go pretty dim, which means that it is going to a ground that is far away because of the resistance. Also, the backup lights on the truck are on, but not overly bright (shifter not in reverse either). Also, when you step on the brakes, all of the trailer lights go out. It's kind of weird but I have no idea where to look. I assume the bad ground is on the truck, but the wire connector to the trailer has a good connection. Where do I start?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
Bad Ground, but where?
I'd be pulling the inards out of that trailer connector on the truck and check for corrosion.There should be a set screw you loosen and the connectors slide out the hole with the wires attached.
I'm sure the problem is in there.
I'm sure the problem is in there.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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Bad Ground, but where?
"which means that it is going to a ground that is far away because of the resistance."
Don't go down this road. The fact that it is high or low in resistance has nothing to do with how far away the problem is.
Don't go down this road. The fact that it is high or low in resistance has nothing to do with how far away the problem is.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Bad Ground, but where?
Maybe I should clarify. When I said that about the ground, I mean't because the lights are dim, it's going through another ground instead of the one it was suppose to. Not meaning that it means the problem is somewhere further down the truck. Also, I have the type of connecter that is 4 prong, small and rubber. I'll take a look when I don't have this 2 feet of snow around my truck. The snow from the plow at the end of the driveway is over my truck's bumper and the storm is 1/2 over.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Bad Ground, but where?
Following up. I never really got around to fixing this problem. I noticed the other day that when I have my emergency lights on, they blink pretty fast. I wonder if that has anything to do with this issue?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,979
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From: Virginia
Bad Ground, but where?
Your theory about more resistance is probably correct, but the increase in resistance is likely coming from another bulb in the circuit. This is what happens when each circuit does not have a proper ground. The current should flow through the bulb to ground, but yours is probably flowing through the bulb, and then finding it's way through another bulb(the dimly lite ones) and then finally to ground. So it still sounds like a ground problem on the trailer somewhere.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 833
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From: Port Perry Ont Canada
Bad Ground, but where?
Hey Justin thanks for the reminder, good idea to get the sled trailer ready before it's -20 and were under 3 feet of snow.
So how much time do you have in, doing the sitting on the new sled and leaning side to side thing
I picked up a 97 Ski-Doo MXZ 583 for the young lad last month, I don't think a day has gone by with out him sitting on it and saying " dad shouldn't we let her run a little to lube up" The two of us will be starting our snow dance rituals on the Tuesday after Labour day
I think I'll start from scratch and rewire my whole trailer. Towards the end of last winter I had to replace 2 side marker lights, and also ended up with a ground problem. everything was ok untill I put the head lights on, then the trailer brake lights stopped working??? but everything returns to normal with the head lights off???
So how much time do you have in, doing the sitting on the new sled and leaning side to side thing
I picked up a 97 Ski-Doo MXZ 583 for the young lad last month, I don't think a day has gone by with out him sitting on it and saying " dad shouldn't we let her run a little to lube up" The two of us will be starting our snow dance rituals on the Tuesday after Labour day
I think I'll start from scratch and rewire my whole trailer. Towards the end of last winter I had to replace 2 side marker lights, and also ended up with a ground problem. everything was ok untill I put the head lights on, then the trailer brake lights stopped working??? but everything returns to normal with the head lights off???
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Bad Ground, but where?
I havn't gotten my new machine yet..i will in either september or october. I know it's not the trailer because if I put the trailer on my dad's truck it works just fine.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bad Ground, but where?
Have you double checked the white wire connection to ground on both sides of the connector? On your Dad's truck the ground is probably connecting through the ball which will work but is not a reliable ground connection. Try connecting a jumper cable from your frame to the trailer frame to verify.