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Short Wave Sportfishing

On 15 Mar 2007 03:31:06 -0700, wrote:

Maybe one of you trailer boaters can help me out. I've got an
intermittent problem with my trailer lights - either one side or the
other will light (tail lights and side marker lights). This is
intermittent - sometimes both sides will light. I put a test light on
my truck's electrical input - that doesn't seem to be the problem Any
suggestions on where to start troubleshooting?
Thanks much.

You have a faulty ground somewhere.

95% of all trailer lighting problems are grounds.

Start at where the trailer lights are grounded to the trailer, check
the connection, clean the connector and the connector on the truck
paying particular attention to the ground and trace the wiring back to
see if there is a ground fault or wire that is being grounded against
the frame of the trailer. Check the grounds at the lights.

Sense a theme here? :)

Keith nuttle

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 15 Mar 2007 03:31:06 -0700, wrote:

Maybe one of you trailer boaters can help me out. I've got an
intermittent problem with my trailer lights - either one side or the
other will light (tail lights and side marker lights). This is
intermittent - sometimes both sides will light. I put a test light on
my truck's electrical input - that doesn't seem to be the problem Any
suggestions on where to start troubleshooting?
Thanks much.

You have a faulty ground somewhere.

95% of all trailer lighting problems are grounds.

Start at where the trailer lights are grounded to the trailer, check
the connection, clean the connector and the connector on the truck
paying particular attention to the ground and trace the wiring back to
see if there is a ground fault or wire that is being grounded against
the frame of the trailer. Check the grounds at the lights.

Sense a theme here? :)
The best way to solve trailer light problems forever is to run two wires
to all of the light fixtures on your trailer. Use one wire for the
ground. Fasten the ground wire to the light fixture using sheet metal
screws. Direct connect the ground wire to the tow vehicle's ground, and
run one ground wire to the trailer body. i.e. like a AC circuit
except the ground wire to the trailer.

I have my boat trailer set up this way for many years. After having the
boat is storage since last fall I will be able to go out connect the
trailer and the lights will work.

--
Keith Nuttle
3110 Marquette Court
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-802-0699

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