Stereo & Electronics - help with trailer lights please




View Full Version : help with trailer lights please


neverenuff
09-03-2009, 09:56 PM
just bought an old car hauler and put new lights and wiring. The problem is only the left tail light and side markers are working.

No blinkers or brake lights on either side.

I can touch the mounting bolts for the right light to the trailer and it will come on but still no turn/stop.

I obviously messed up somewhere. Any help would be appreciated.


pentavolvo
09-03-2009, 10:05 PM
bad ground on that side maybe

neverenuff
09-03-2009, 10:10 PM
side markers work on both sides.

only have 1 ground on the tongue


WhiteBird00
09-04-2009, 08:13 AM
pentavolvo is correct - it could be a ground problem. If you are relying on the hitch ball to provide ground or there is a bad ground for some other reason, the lights will ground through the other filament of the dual filament bulbs (1157, 2057, 3157, etc.). That gives you running lights but when you try the brake lights or turn signals there is no alternate path to ground so the lights don't work.

Also, does the tow vehicle have turn signals separate from the brake lights? If the tow vehicle has separate bulbs but the trailer uses the same bulb for brake and turn signal then you will need an adapter to connect them.

pentavolvo
09-04-2009, 08:52 AM
i ment at the individual bulb, there is only one wire and the bulb socket assembly screws to the frame providing ground there could be rust there. trailers are notorious for ground problems due to corrosion

neverenuff
09-04-2009, 05:47 PM
thanks for the help guys but it was just blown fuses in the truck (06 f-150). everything is working now.