Posted 2007-07-11 6:42 PM (#63694) Subject: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
New User
Posts: 2
Location: MA
I am new to this forum, but hope I can get some troubleshooting advice.
I have a Dodge Ram and a 2H BP trailer. We have never had any problems with the lights working up until a couple of weeks ago. When we went to hook up the trailer, the brakes and running lights were working, but the brake/lights turn signals did not work; however, after being plugged in for a bit they began working. Last weekend, the brakes worked, but the none of the lights did.
Does this sound like corrosion on the plug of the truck and/or trailer? Any other troubleshooting ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help you are able to provide!
Posted 2007-07-12 7:09 AM (#63744 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I was selling a trailer and had issues with the lights. I bought new bulbs and still didn't work - ended up lightly sanding the connection area and pushing the bulbs in tightly and they worked. I also carry extra fuses as these sometimes go out and need to be replaced.
Posted 2007-07-12 1:19 PM (#63786 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
I occasionally have to clean bugs or bug nests out of the female plug of the trailer. I do not recommend using a toothpick because one time I did and broke off the tip of the toothpick in the plug. took me longer to get that out.
If the "cord" for the plug is old or cracked, it could be the wiring is shorting out inside.
Then, as others have said, you will need to start looking for someplace where the trailer wiring is touching someplace it shouldn't be (shorting out) OR... that the ground wire is disconnected or rusting/ed out where it is attached to the trailer.
If this were my situation? I would head for my nearby, very trusted, automotive repair garage and let them deal with it. : ) I'm electrically challenged except for the absolute most basic things.
It's not just the lights that are involved here. It involves the electric brakes getting the right amount of power to operate correctly - that worries me more than anything.
Posted 2007-07-13 12:33 AM (#63813 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Chippy on 2007-07-11 7:42 PM
I am new to this forum, but hope I can get some troubleshooting advice.
I have a Dodge Ram and a 2H BP trailer. We have never had any problems with the lights working up until a couple of weeks ago. When we went to hook up the trailer, the brakes and running lights were working, but the brake/lights turn signals did not work; however, after being plugged in for a bit they began working. Last weekend, the brakes worked, but the none of the lights did.
Does this sound like corrosion on the plug of the truck and/or trailer? Any other troubleshooting ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help you are able to provide!
You live in New England...plan on replacement of connectors as a routine event due to our pleasant winter weather and salting patterns...especially is you have the old round pin metal receptacles......the corrosion tend to occur at the back of the plug where the wires are connected...went thru 2 each for 3 of the tow vehicles before I switched to RV type...and no problem...yet on any of the 5 current tow vehicles...
Posted 2007-07-13 9:36 PM (#63875 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Waverly, TN
Just a moderate amount of grease in each of the holes will prevent corrosion and insects. A lot of new electrical products come from the factory with a light grease to protect them.
Posted 2007-07-13 10:28 PM (#63881 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
New User
Posts: 2
Location: MA
Thanks for all the replies! I have an appointment w/mechanic this week, but just wanted to get some ideas of what the problem might be. The trailer was completed inspected and serviced in May and the trailer plug doesn't look cracked, etc, so I thought it might be the truck (I leave near the coast in New England).
Posted 2007-07-13 11:52 PM (#63882 - in reply to #63875) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Poppa Cracker on 2007-07-13 10:36 PM
Just a moderate amount of grease in each of the holes will prevent corrosion and insects. A lot of new electrical products come from the factory with a light grease to protect them.
No...it isn't where the trailer plug attaches to the truck plug...it is where the wiring attaches to the BACK of the Truck Plug connection where serious corrosion occurs in New England...
Posted 2007-07-14 9:18 AM (#63885 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
On my day trailer, Sundowner 2 horse BP, I replaced the front 4' of the wire harness with one that has the plug molded into the wire harness, (where I spliced it into the trailer wire harness I used heat shrink tubing)....nothing gets in there behind the plug and it has certainly worked well, thus far....
Posted 2007-07-14 5:04 PM (#63894 - in reply to #63694) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I bought a cover from Etrailer.com that coveres the trailer plug and keeps out the "critters". Living in a sandy/dusty area like we do putting grease in the plug would be asking for trouble.
Posted 2007-07-16 1:30 PM (#63974 - in reply to #63894) Subject: RE: Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
Originally written by Terri on 2007-07-14 6:04 PM
I bought a cover from Etrailer.com that coveres the trailer plug and keeps out the "critters". Living in a sandy/dusty area like we do putting grease in the plug would be asking for trouble.
I have seen those... and of course, an alternative is to buy the male plug and plug that into the trailer plug.
Trailer Lights Working Intermittently
...the corrosion tend to occur at the back of the plug where the wires are connected...went thru 2 each for 3 of the tow vehicles before I switched to RV type...and no problem...yet on any of the 5 current tow vehicles...
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