Trailer wiring question.

[jseasor]

Good friend of mine is having problems with his trailer lights. The port side works perfectly. The starboard side when he went to turn on a blinker stays lit up the whole time. He changed out the whole light (only plugs in one way with connectors) and
Now he's getting a turn signal but it's on the wrong bulb. It's the big
Bulb not the small one. He took the 5way plug apart and everything looks great. Not saying its on his truck but doubtful considering its a brand new duramax. I asked him to put the port side light on the starboard side to see what happens... If it comes back the same way.. We're back to square
One. Anyone ever had a problem like this. Maybe some wire chaffing? Likely, but the trailer wires are ran through a small PVC tube on the trailer. Any ideas?

[artcarney_agr]

I always start by checking the ground wire, and making the sure the ball hitch is not rusty.

Could be a grounding issue with the light in question as well, as those wires tend to get rusty being dipped in the water frequently.

[09Z7SC]

The last time I had a problem like that, I f***** up my turn signal switch on my truck trying to correct it. That was a $500 mistake.
I would suggest tracing all the wiring on the trailer and making sure there are no shorts and if nothing is found, get a new trailer harness and replace the whole thing. Mine ended up being two wires that were spliced incorrectly in a part ot the trailer I could not see. Worked fine on another truck, but on my new one not so much.

[jomo924]

Think think the problem is if it ain't on the boat the it's left and right ',,,,,,,,,but in that case I think it may be ground issues as well

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by artcarney_agr &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I always start by checking the ground wire, and making the sure the ball hitch is not rusty.

Could be a grounding issue with the light in question as well, as those wires tend to get rusty being dipped in the water frequently.</td></tr></table>

This^^^^

If you gave everything a good look over and there is nothing obvious, I would start checking ground. My father taught me a long time ago, most things screwy with a 12v system usually have something to do with the ground.

[ol man river]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by artcarney_agr &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I always start by checking the ground wire, and making the sure the ball hitch is not rusty..</td></tr></table>


This ^^^^^^^ should ALWAYS be your first step in t shooting trailer lights...imo

[barchief]

maybe you can find something like this for a 5 way and make sure that it is not the truck.

[Jigsisme]

I had a gremlin in my wiring a couple years ago. I did everything! Ended up being a wire in the rear that was exposed. Start with ground, then trace whole trailer.

[mickey2520]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ol man river &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">


This ^^^^^^^ should ALWAYS be your first step in t shooting trailer lights...imo </td></tr></table>had same type deal ground just wasnt making a good conn drove me crazy

[JerryT]

test light and 30 seconds

[ol man river]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JerryT &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> test light and 30 seconds </td></tr></table>

i can do it in 25

[Popeye]

My trailer lights work just fine without even being coupled to the truck and that's how I test mine. There is a ground wire in the connector reason. If the ground wire isn't working right, then you will get sporatic operation if you rely on the ground through the ball.

[Skeet'r89]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Popeye &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">My trailer lights work just fine without even being coupled to the truck and that's how I test mine. There is a ground wire in the connector reason. If the ground wire isn't working right, then you will get sporatic operation if you rely on the ground through the ball.</td></tr></table>
CORRECT - NEVER rely on the ball for a groung. Plug the trailer harness into the truck plug. Do Not set on ball. Check to see if all lights function properly.

[721Proxs]

I had to replace the fuse in my 2011 Z71...the one under the hood, not inside the cab....i thought my trailer lights were bad, but done the same on boat, and atv trailer...never would have thought it would have been the new truck

[timberland]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ol man river &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

i can do it in 25 </td></tr></table>

20, I'm good. ....and +100 check the ground.

[JR19]

When working on trailer lights I do not like to use a tow vehicle for a power or ground supply. I like to use some jumper wires from a 12V battery to touch each individual post on the trailer harness. It has been my experience that 75% of the time it is a bad/weak ground. If you have any experience with a multi meter it should not take long to find the problem...make sure you have good ground and power...do not rely on the tow vehicle to supply it. Use a 12V battery and jumper wires