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Trailer light help


Roush611

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So none of the lights on my trailer are working this year. To the best of my knowledge they worked when I dropped it off at the storage place before winter. If I test each wire I have power all the way through the tongue right where it splits into the frame. When I teat at the 1st cut out for the running lights, there is no power on either side the rest of the way back. Anyone have some ideas? 

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1 hour ago, wdr said:

I had the ground wire on the back of the master cylinder crap out on me. Probably a good place to start and work back to the rear.

I agree, every trailer light issue I've had was due to grounding problems.

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First thing I do with a new trailer, is add a ground wire throughout.  Depending on the trailer frame as a conductor is responsible for most problems I see.  If none of your lights work, I would suspect the ground, it is common (associated) to all the other wires. My NJ salt water environment taught me this.

edit; make sure the white wire is still connected on your tow vehicle too.

Edited by electricjohn
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I replaced all the connectors and rivets the grounds are attached to and still have no lights.  The only other thing I can think of is that I replaced my old hitch with a new aluminum drop hitch. I am thinking that my old hitch must have been hiding some sort of ground issue.  I am confused how I have power right before the wires route into the frame but then none right before any of the lights. 

Looks like I am going to have to make a trip to the hardware store to get enough wire to at least make one jumper for the ground to see if that makes a difference. 

Edited by Roush611
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2 minutes ago, 2h20fn said:

Rodents? 

Strange that is would be both sides but could wires be eaten?

That was my initial thought but then figured since it was both sides it probably was not. Who knows though.

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2 hours ago, Roush611 said:

 I am thinking that my old hitch must have been hiding some sort of ground issue. 

The white wire between your trailer plug and tow vehicle is what should be your ground connection, not the hitch and trailer coupler.  Your lights should work on an unhitched trailer.

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I ran a new ground wire to the rear of the trailer and we are all good now. I don't know if my trailer is not providing a good ground or what, but that wire that attaches to the trailer even after replaced did not do anything. The jumper to the rear did the trick. 

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