Trailer lights

[jason32038]

Hey guys...I installed new trailer lights when I picked up my boat. The blinker and brake lights work but I have no parking/license plate lights. I have the 4 pin connector...my question is...does the thicker white wire power the parking lights and license plate lights? I ask because the white is disconnected at the trailer and the truck wire is cut. Nothing happens when I turn on headlights. Thanks guys!

 

[ifallsguy]

Re: Trailer lights

If properly wired, the white wire is the ground for the trailer.

Right now your ground is through the hitch, which is not the way to go. It sounds like you may have blown the fuse for the tail lights. My Ford Ranger has a fuse for each side of the trailer. Even with the fuses for the trailer are blown, the lights on the truck work.

I would suggest properly grounding the system by connecting the ground wire (white wire on truck side) to a known good ground, and hook the trailer side to a good, clean metal point. That should bring up the tail lights. And make sure all fuses are good.

 

[109jb]

Re: Trailer lights

Personally, I don't trust using the frame of the trailer as a ground path. I run a dedicated ground wire to all of the lights. I have done this on all of my trailers including ones that don't get submerged in water. I used to have frame grounds but it always seemed that I was chasing ground problems on on a light, or the ground from the plug to the trailer. The trailers rust and corrode and the connection gets fouled. Haven't had a ground issue in years, or any other wiring isssue for that matter.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Trailer lights

Grounding issues for sure. I'm adding a few marker lights along the side of my trailer (LED's for $1.00) & I agree with 109jb, run a dedicated ground for each light, this way like 109 said you won't have a loss of contact when the connection starts to get crapped up.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Trailer lights

Get a test light or volt meter and start checking wires, that is the only way to find the problem.

Start with the truck plug and make sure every thing works there then that narrows it down to the traler wires.

I hate trailer lights, they have given me more problems than the boat ever did.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer lights

3 Biggest reasons for trailer light failure.

#1. Bad Ground
#2. Bad Ground
#3. Bad Ground

Wiring diagram enclosed courtesy of another iboats member.

 

[Shrike]

Re: Trailer lights

Shortly after man invented the wheel he invented the trailer.
He's been trying to make the lights work ever since.

 

[can-amsledder]

Re: Trailer lights

If properly wired, the white wire is the ground for the trailer.

Right now your ground is through the hitch, which is not the way to go. It sounds like you may have blown the fuse for the tail lights. My Ford Ranger has a fuse for each side of the trailer. Even with the fuses for the trailer are blown, the lights on the truck work.

I would suggest properly grounding the system by connecting the ground wire (white wire on truck side) to a known good ground, and hook the trailer side to a good, clean metal point. That should bring up the tail lights. And make sure all fuses are good.

^^^Agree!^^^

If it was only a ground issue your stop/turn lights wouldn?t work properly or at all. If you are getting enough of a ground to run the stop/turn lights you are getting enough of a ground to run the running lights (not that you shouldn?t fix the ground) Check to see if you have power at your tow vehicles plug for your running lights (the brown wire) If not it could be a fuse like fallsguy said. If you do, check to see if the trailer plug has ever been replaced. You?ll see a big wad of electrical tap about 12? down from the trailer plug. If that?s okay keep working your way down the trailer.