no running lights

[JAL51974]

Today after two years no problems, I have no running lights- side markers and rear corners and bar light in the middle rear. Brake lights work and left/right signal lights do work. I checked each connection by moving the wires but no lights, I checked each of the side marker bulbs, I checked the submersible Wesbar lights on the rear corners and one of those had water sitting inside the "sealed" light fixture so I changed that out. Still no running lights.

If the ground is bad on one light fixture does it short out the whole line, like if one of the grounds are bad at a side marker does it put out all the other lines attached to that brown line?

where do I start to diagnose this? I hate electrical problems, so I will need "trailer light repair for dummies" I guess. Thanks

Joe

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: no running lights

If your ground is lifted (not connected) then you'd have no lights. Each fixture should have it's own ground, usually a chassis screw. Which is not always the best. This standard diagram has the white wire as ground. Run a wire from your truck ground and check the individual light assy's. A cheap meter helps.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: no running lights

If the other lights work but the marker and tail lights don't the brown wire in the harness is either broken near the connector or the connector is not making contact with the tow vehicle. Verify you have 12V with the lights on on the brown wire in the tow vehicle connector. It may be it's dead. No juice on that pin the trailer can't work.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: no running lights

I took apart each ground at the recepticles plus the white wire ground to the frame, cleaned them up, greased them, still no running lights. I will check for voltage at the brown wire in the connector from truck next and let you know if there is power. I need to check fuses in the truck too, although in the cab there isn't any double fuses for running lights, etc. this is on a 2000 GMC Sonoma.

one of those Wesbar sealed lights was half full of water- could that have blown a fuse?

 

[JAL51974]

Re: no running lights

I answered my question- that sealed lamp holding water did short out a fuse under the hood. Funny thing though, the truck owners manual didn't indicate separate fuses for trailer lights so I didn't check there right off the bat. At least I fixed the broken sealed lamp and did preventive maintenance on the other lights even if it did cost me an afternoon on the lake!

Joe

 

[Silvertip]

Re: no running lights

Yet another case of blaming the trailer when its so easy to check the connector on the tow vehicle first. Always make sure you have current at the connector. Otherwise you end up chasing your tail.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: no running lights

Have you ever seen a sealed wesbar lamp collect water like that? If defective it should have done that two years ago, I wonder why now.

Joe

 

[burroak]

Re: no running lights

one of those Wesbar sealed lights was half full of water- could that have blown a fuse?

Sealed lights create a false sense of security. As your experience indicates, it's a false promise.

I take the opposite approach. I drill a hole in the bottom of the housing, coat the bulb and socket liberally with dielectric grease, and unplug the wiring harness before launching.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: no running lights

false security is right! I always unplug before backing the trailer down the ramp. The bulb wasn't the problem just the darned "sealed" unit. I think I will write to wesbar co. and see what they say, I will let you know.