mjcb2000
Canada
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Joined: 01/22/2005
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Hello,
I have a problem with one of my trailer lights. The left rear light of my trailer does not come one when I use the brake, but it works for the signal light.
I took my voltmeter to it and I get power when the signal light is on but nothing when the brake is pressed. I use the voltmeter at the truck and I get power when I push the brake and turn on the signal light.
All fuses are fine (checked with voltmeter). What could this be? The socket where the light bulb plugs into, there is a white wire, black wire, and a red wire. I don't have a wiring diagram so don't know what each are.
Any help would be appreciated.
2005 GulfStream GulfBreeze 23EXP
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71 w/410 gears
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Living The Dream
TX
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Joined: 08/18/2006
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Have you tried replacing the bulb just to make sure it does not have a short?
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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The bulb has two filaments, plus ground/return, so one wire is tail, one is stop/turn and the third is ground.
99% of trailer light problems is grounding, esp if the symptoms don't appear to make sense. First thing to do (after a mild scrub of the bulb and fitting with bronze wool or pencil eraser) is set up a wire between your battery's negative post and the base of the bulb fixture to bypass every thing.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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one is a ground, one is for stop and signal,one is for the running lights,make sure you have a good ground to the light,is the signal bright or dim ,is the running light bright or dim,if its dim compaired to the other side its a bad ground.with a bad ground you can get feed back to the light and they can do strange things at times even with a bad ground.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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mjcb2000
Canada
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Joined: 01/22/2005
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Living The Dream wrote:Have you tried replacing the bulb just to make sure it does not have a short?
Sorry, forgot to mention that. That was one of the first things I did. I took the bulb from the working side and tried in the "non working" side.
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Living The Dream
TX
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mjcb2000 wrote:Living The Dream wrote:Have you tried replacing the bulb just to make sure it does not have a short?
Sorry, forgot to mention that. That was one of the first things I did. I took the bulb from the working side and tried in the "non working" side.
Just thought I would ask.
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mjcb2000
Canada
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Joined: 01/22/2005
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tom_kat wrote:one is a ground, one is for stop and signal,one is for the running lights,make sure you have a good ground to the light,is the signal bright or dim ,is the running light bright or dim,if its dim compaired to the other side its a bad ground.with a bad ground you can get feed back to the light and they can do strange things at times even with a bad ground.
On my way out to check right now.
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tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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Have a look at http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm for a trailer wiring diagram. If you haven't checked at the trailer connector on the truck you should do that.
2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
Subaru Impreza Outback
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mjcb2000
Canada
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Joined: 01/22/2005
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mjcb2000 wrote:tom_kat wrote:one is a ground, one is for stop and signal,one is for the running lights,make sure you have a good ground to the light,is the signal bright or dim ,is the running light bright or dim,if its dim compaired to the other side its a bad ground.with a bad ground you can get feed back to the light and they can do strange things at times even with a bad ground.
On my way out to check right now.
OK, I went through it all again. When I tested the wiring on the back of the truck again, I got now power when the brake was on (got power the first time). I "jiggled" the wires in the back, and the power returned. I think the problem is with that wiring harness. I am going to open it up and see what the issue is and maybe even just change it out.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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My last TT had that problem, I fought it for years. I was always told it was a ground problem. Sorry to say, I never did get the light to work properly. I finally gave up and bought a new one. May not be an option in your case, but in mine case the TT was 20 years old and served me well.
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