View Full Version : Trailer Wiring--Help!!!
Tennessee Jed
03-03-2002, 02:48 PM
Trying to get my jon boat trailer lights to work, but having no luck! I have replaced the wiring harness on the trailer and the light fixtures themselves, but still can't get brake lights on the trailer. Also, the signal light flashes when the truck turn signal is between flashes, and when I don't have the truck running lights on, both trailer lamps flash like hazard lights if I use a turn signal. To me this is a sign of a grounding problem, but nothing I have tried works. Help!!!
bountyhunters
03-03-2002, 03:04 PM
CHECK that white ground wire
check were the two halves of the trailer come together(were the tongue slides into the rear half of the trailer) you may have to put a ground strap between the two halves.
LCFISHERMAN
03-03-2002, 03:32 PM
Is this a new problem or did you just buy this trailer
Other????'s is it a new tow vehicle
I've done quite a few and most times it is the ground but sometimes
it is the wiring between trailer and tow vehicle
Yup. Make sure you have a well established ground on the truck and the trailer. Never depend on the hitch to provide the ground. Solder all connections and you'll never have to worry about a loose wire nut or scotch clip.
I will third the comments on grounding.
If you have an older trailer, that is quite rusty; don't depend on the chassis to carry the ground.
Take the white wire in the wiring harness, insure that you use a 4 conductor plug, and get a good ground to the white wire on the tow vehicle side of the plug.
Then on the trailer side of the plug - take a white wire, and run, it along with the other three wires to each of the lights. Use a tap off this new - white wire - to act as ground for each of your lights.
I have seen, where with old and badly rusted trailers, that it is nearly impossible to get a good connection down the length of the trailer. I don't even try any more - I simply run my own ground out of good copper wire, and the problems are solved.
Take care
REW
Fishintech
03-03-2002, 04:23 PM
Another thing you might want to check is, do you have an adaptor installed in the rear wiring harness on the truck? I have seen these add on units short out internally and cause all kinds of wierd light problems, on the truck and on the trailer. The best harness is a harness that is directly wired and soldered to the truck harness, then taped well. Good luck!
Tennessee Jed
03-03-2002, 05:22 PM
Thanks for the replies so far. I know it is not my truck harness--it worked fine on two other trailers this week. This is a rusty, heavily painted work of homemade art for a trailer!
Another question--the new tail light fixtures say they ground through the mounting bolts. I have sanded the trailer holes where they pass through, but they still did not work. Should I run a ground wire from the harness to these bolts? Thanks!
Yes, run a ground wire to each of the bolts , if that is where it says that they are grounded. that should take care of the problem, it wouldnt hurt to do as REW said also, put a ground at the front of the trailer by the harness also. good luck and good fishin.
Den